Lot 166: Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768)

Hotei sitting in meditation on his bag of treasures
Sealed Kokanki, Hakuin and Ekaku
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
37 x 11in. (94 x 28cm.)
Box inscribed by Tsuzan Sokaku, abbot of Shoinji Temple

The poem reads:

Ashiharaya
taete hisashiki
ho no michi
mata fumiwakeshi
kono otera kana

The way of Buddhism is disappearing like a narrow road through a plain
again we travel the route, with the support of temples.

Hakuin joined the priesthood at Shoinji Temple in Numazu, Kanagawa Prefecture when he was fifteen years old. After years of travel he returned to Shoinji and died there.