Wall-facing Bodhidharma (Daruma)

Artist Isshi Bunshu Japanese, 1608 - 1646

Place of OriginJapan

PeriodEdo period (1615-1868)

CultureJapanese

MaterialsInk on paper

DimensionsH. 45 1/4 in x W. 11 1/2 in, H. 114.9 cm x W. 29 x 2 cm (image); H. 68 5/8 in x W. 12 1/2 in, H. 174.3 cm x W. 31.8 cm (overall)

Credit LineGift from The Collection of George Gund III

Object number2016.213

DepartmentJapanese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

SignedSigned: "Tokoshi (Isshi) kore o sansu" Sealed: "Kokan"

InscribedFour-line inscription above: When Daruma meditated facing the stone wall for nine years, there was nobody around/ Tightly closing his mouth, Daruma kept silent about wrong teachings./ [In contrast] the patriarchs who shared Daruma’s spines and skins/ Look relaxed and talked too much/ The second patriarch Huike is partly hidden. - trans. by Kyoko Asai (Zen Painting and Calligraphy, no. 12, p. 21)

Text Entries

Provenance Statement

Sondra Milne-Henderson, London, until 1993; sold to George Gund III, November 2, 1993; donated to AAM by Estate of George Gund III in 2016.