zenki-zu　禅機図

KEY WORD :　art history / paintings

Lit. paintings of Zen 禅 occasions. Illustrations of acts (including dialogues) which led to enlightenment. The subjects come from well-known Zen anecdotes collected in biographies and compilations of kouan 公案 (Ch: chigongan), conundrums used as a means of enlightenment, such as the Blue Cliff (Ch: Biyanlu, Jp: HEKIGANROKU 碧巌録) and Gateless Gate (Ch: Wumenguan, Jp: MUMOMKAN 無門関). The genre derives from Song and Yuan dynasties paintings *sougenga 宋元画, typified by the works of Liang Kai (Jp: Ryou Kai 梁楷, act.13c) and Muqi (Jp: Mokkei 牧谿, late 13c). Japanese painters from the Muromachi period onwards, frequently rendered these themes, especially when working in the ink painting medium. Favorite zenki-zu include Rokuso Setchiku 六祖截竹 (The Sixth Patriarch Chopping Bamboo), *Eka Danpi 慧可断臂 (Huiko Cutting His Arm), *Kensu 蜆子 (Ch: Xianzi, Catshing Prawns), Kyougen Gekichiku 香厳撃竹 (Zhi Xiang Striking Bamboo), and Hyounen 瓢鮎 (Catching a Catfish with a Gourd).

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