Description

Large Japanese Zenga calligraphy scroll of the character ‘KOTOBUKI’, or long life, longevity. Bold, large brush strokes showing great intensity. Signed and sealed with three red seals by the artist. Small black kanji translates with the first 4 characters: 日光門主 Nikkō Monzu, who was a very high-ranking monk of imperial lineage at the temple, Rinnō-ji, in Nikkō.
The seals used by monk show his rank and importance. The bottom left seal in red says: 日光山 輪王寺 門跡印 This is the temple that follows Monzeki (imperial or royal lineage).
The string of 4 kanji toward the middle seal reads: Fudō-Kongō, another name for Fudō-Myō-ō.
On to the red seal on the right: The characters are 天眞獨朗
The reading in Japanese is Tenshin dokurō. “The fundamental reality or (sa) bhūtatathatā, is the only illumination.” It is a dictum of 道邃, Daosui of the Tang, to the famous Japanese monk, 傳教, Dengyō. It also interprets the phrase 一心三觀 that 空中假 “The void, the ‘mean ‘, the seeming, are all aspects of the one mind.”
Brown silk mounting. Excellent condition. A rare and important piece.

Showa period, circa 1920s

Size: 84 1/2″ high x 42″ wide (38 3/4″ wide not including ends).

Size of art: 58 3/4″ high x 31 1/4″ wide.