Lot 164: Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768)

The first dream of the New Year
Sealed Hakuin, Ekaku and Rinzai seishu
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
16 1/4 x 21 5/8in. (41.2 x 55cm.)
Box inscription by Tsuzan Sokaku (1892-1974), 16th abbot of Shoinji Temple in Numazu City

The inscription reads:

Hatsuyume ya ichi fuji ni taka san nasubi

The three lucky things to dream of on New Year's day are, first, Mount Fuji, second, a hawk, and third, an eggplant.

According to Awakawa Yasuichi, author of Zen painting, it is also a good omen if one has a dream about revenge. The three great stories of revenge are the "Soga Brothers" (symbolized by Mount Fuji, where the revenge took place), the 47 Ronin of Ako (symbolized here by crossed hawk feathers, the crest of Lord Asano) and Araki Mataemon (1598-1638), the legendary master swordsman who helped a young man seek vengeance (symbolized by an eggplant, which is at its best in the tenth month, when the vendetta took place).