Lot 21: Etsuzan Doshu (1629-1709)

Etsuzan Doshu (1629-1709) Autumn Moon, circa 1708 Signed Rinzai sanju-yon sei and Nangaku Etsuzan shusho, sealed Rinzai shoshu sanju-yon sei, Etsuzan and Doshu no in Hanging scroll; ink on paper 50¼ x 17 1/8in. (127.6 x 43.5cm.)

127.6 x 43.5cm.

circa 1708

John M. Rosenfield with Fumiko E. Cranston, Extraordinary Persons: Works by Eccentric, Nonconformist Japanese Artists of the Early Modern Era (1580-1868) in the Collection of Kimiko and John Powers, Vol. 1 (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Art Museums, 1999), pp. 228-29, no. 57.

This Chinese style poem connotes that the bright autumn moon, a reflection of Buddhist enlightenment, pervades all creation. It has been translated as: Autumn moon, bright as a mirror. The stanza connotes that the bright autumn moon, a reflection of Buddhist enlightenment, pervades all creation. Translation by Fumiko E. Cranston from Extraordinary Persons, Vol. 1 (1999), p. 228.