DESCRIPTION :
An excellent pair of six panel calligraphy screens by the early 20th century zen master Nakahara Nantembo. The great majority of his works were painted in the final decade of his life, and this is no exception. Zen paintings and calligraphy were deemed inappropriate for any other than high ranking, enlightened masters to produce. Each painting is signed 'the old fellow Nantenbo age 84'. Read from right to left each panel contains a ten-character zen phrase, some relatively simple, some more koan like, all beautiful. (1) In a single night the flowers (cherry blossoms) are washed away by the rain; The castle ground is drowned in their fragrance.(2) The plum blossoms are tinted by the moonlight; [=new spring] The bamboo is still, the voice of autumn long gone. [=past year](3) [Why is it] when you scoop up the water you doubt the mountains move; [While you] believe you will reach the other shore when you set the sail [on a boat]. [Every act is really miraculous](4) Within your sleeves the treasure of the sun and moon; In your hands you hold heaven and earth. (5) You carry the koto across the stone steps; I play it by the moonlit window.(6) Birds sing even if no one is around to see them; Flowers continue to perfume a tree even after they fall. |
