Nantenbo (1839–1925)
"Zen Horse"

Shoun (Sohan Gempo 1848–1922)
"Magic Gourd"

Ink on paper.
Size: 11 ¾" x 53 ¾" (17 ¼" x 79 overall)
Mounting: Beige raw silk.
Click here to view complete mounting.

Translation:

(Zen Horse)
In all human affairs remember Old Man Sai's Horse.
Brushed by the 79-year-old fellow Nantenbo Toju

(Magic gourd)
From the narrow mouth of a gourd a magic horse emerges;
With a serene heart savor sake like a Taoist sage,
Enjoy the spring flowers, the autumn moon,
And gaze on the wind and mist from a pleasure pavilion!
Taisho rokunen [1917], October
Conjured up by the seventy-year-old fellow Shoun of Murasakino*
*=Daitoku-ji

 

This is a very interesting, unusual, important, and creative Zenga by two of the top masters of early 20th century Zen, Nantenbo and Shoun. Shoun did the magic gourd.  Shoun humorously wrote "conjured up" instead of the usual "brushed by"—while Nantenbo added the Zen horse. This Zenga combines the miraculous:  a huge magic horse somehow emerging from the narrow mouth of a gourd with the everyday.  Old Man Sai's horse symbolizing equanimity when dealing with the ups and downs of life.

OLD MAN SAI

This is the story of Old man Sai, who lived near the border of ancient China. One day, his favorite horse ran away. His neighbors said, "Bad luck". Sai just smiled. A few days later, his horse returned home with another magnificent wild stallion. "Good luck", his neighbors congratulated him. Sai just smiled. Sai's son tried to break in the new horse but was thrown and broke his leg. "Bad luck", his neighbors commiserated. Sai just smiled. War broke out in the district and all the young men in the village were pressed into military service except for Sai's son, who was laid up. Many perished in the fighting but Sai's son was safe. "Good luck", everyone told Sai. He just smiled.

For price information, please contact Belinda Sweet
and Danielle Williams at: zenart@peoplepc.com

back