KASUMI BUNSHO  (1905–1998)

Kasumi Bunsho was an important and prolific Zen calligrapher.

His great energy can be seen in many of his paintings through the exuberant opening splash of wild ink and flying white. Kasumi Bunsho is especially noted for his large-scale calligraphies.

He was a true 20^th-century man, living entirely within that century to the distinguished age of 93.

Kasumi Bunsho's work was influenced by two major Zen teachers: Nantembo (1839–1925) and Deiryu (1895–1954). In particular, he shared Nantembo's fondness for the subject of lines of monks, wearing their large circular hats, going out on their begging rounds. This begging practice (takuhatsu) is intended to instill humbleness and gratitude in the monks, and give lay people the opportunity to practice generosity. Kasumi Bunsho literally enlarged this subject by painting what might be considered murals on the walls of Kaisei-ji, which serve as a constant reminder of the importance of takuhatsu.

Deiryu's influence on Kasumi Bunsho can most directly be seen through Bunsho's similar approach to painting Zen circles (enso). Enso are most often brushed in a single stroke starting at the lower left, with the center kept empty and the accompanying calligraphy brushed on the side or below the enso. However, both Deiryu and his student Kasumi Bunsho brushed calligraphy or images in the center of their enso, and also characteristically and unusually brushed their enso with pale gray ink.

In his later years, Kasumi Bunsho became abbot of Kaisei-ji, Nantembo’s training hall, and also of Myoshin-ji, one of the ancient major Zen temples in Kyoto.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  ALL OF THE PAINTINGS BELOW HAVE BEEN SOLD
AND ARE FOR DISPLAY PURPOSES ONLY

"Giant Calligraphy"
by Kasumi Bunsho

"Dragon Enso"
by Kasumi Bunsho

"Tea Bowl"
by Kasumi Bunsho

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