All things are nothingness

Artist Chūhō Sōu Japanese, 1760 - 1838

Place of OriginJapan

Dateapprox. 1790–1838

PeriodEdo period (1615–1868)

CultureJapanese

MaterialsInk on paper

DimensionsH. 11 1/16 in x W. 36 1/4 in, H. 28.1 cm x W. 92.1 cm (image); H. 50 1/2 in x W. 37 5/8 in, H. 128.3 cm x W. 95.6 cm (overall)

Credit LineGift from The Collection of George Gund III

Object number2016.80

DepartmentJapanese Art

ClassificationsPainting

On View

Not on view

SignedSigned: signature unread Sealed: "Chūhō nichigatsu cho"

Text Entries

Object Label

The three-character inscription on this scroll “All things are nothingness” (Muichimotsu) is part of the phrase “All things come from nothingness” (Honrai muichimotsu), taken from the Platform Sutra of the Sixth Chan Patriarch Huineng (Jp: Eno; 638–713). As the phrase suggests, we were born with nothing and will die with nothing; therefore, it is meaningless to cling to fortunes and social statuses. The phrase is a Zen Buddhist reminder to free oneself from desire and attachments—an appropriate message for a tea gathering.

Chuho Sou was the 418th chief priest of Daitokuji Temple in Kyoto. He was well known for his calligraphy and left behind many writings.