Chan & Zen Influence in Painting

Chan & Zen Buddhism’s Influence in Painting

  Chan and Zen Buddhism’s unique style, because of the traditions’ straightforwardness and distinctive sense of humor, has influenced classical Japanese and Chinese artists alike. Chan and Zen’s limited use of color produces images with an eye-catching high contrast and the fluidity of the brushwork is instantaneous – with the stroke being a spontaneous and quick motion from wrist to brush. The brushwork in Chan and Zen-inspired paintings is not only an immediate action of the artist but also mirrors the calligraphic writing style of China and Japan. Chan and Zen-inspired artists focus on landscapes, figure-studies, and even objects that represent visual koans – or unanswerable riddles. Figure-studies usually include Daoist and Buddhist immortals, classical poets, and Buddhist monks and patriarchs. 

Spontaneous Mode and Splashed Ink Style

  The two styles of painting that inspired me to create my series are known as Spontaneous Mode and Splashed Ink Style. Both styles originate from China and were further developed by both Chinese and Japanese artists interested in Chan and Zen Buddhism. Both styles are considered an extreme form of Chinese monochromatic painting.

Notable Chan/Zen-inspired Artists

• Yu Jian (Early 13th c. CE)

Yu Jian was a Chinese Buddhist painter-monk who was active in the Southern Song Dynasty. While he was truly influential in the development of Spontaneous Mode, he is not as famous as Mu Qi.

• Mu Qi (Early 13th c. CE)

Mu Qi was Chinese Buddhist painter-monk. He is also known as Fa Chang during his time as a monk. One of the greatest exponents of Spontaneous Mode, he is famous for his Six Persimmons.

• Liang Kai (~late 12th – Early 13th c. CE)

A Chinese artist highly influenced by Chan Buddhism. He learned his craft in traditional art academies in China. He is renowned for his famous piece: Shakyamuni Leaving His Mountain Retreat.

• Josetsu (~1400 CE)

A Japanese Buddhist painter-monk who is famous for his piece: Catching a Catfish with a Gourd. He taught Tensho Shubun who would later teach Sesshu Toyo, two master painters in Japan’s history.

• Sesshu Toyo (1420-1506 CE)

Toyo was a painter influenced by Rinzai Zen Buddhism, even though he was born into the Oda samurai clan. He is very renowned for his work in both China and Japan, and is considered one of Japan’s best artists. He has many famous pieces, including Huike Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma.

Works Cited

• "Buddhist Deities: Description of Mi-Lo-Fwo / Maitreya Buddha." BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and Education Network. 2008. Web. 01 June 2010.
• Dumoulin, Heinrich. Zen Buddhism: A History. Trans. James W. Heisig and Paul Knitter. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. New York: Macmillan Company, 1994. Print. 
• Ferguson, Andrew E. Zen's Chinese Heritage: The Masters and Their Teachings. Boston: Wisdom Publications, 2000. Print. 
• Hershock, Peter D. Chan Buddhism. Honolulu: University of Hawaii, 2005. Print. 
• Lee, Sherman E. A History of Far Eastern Art. Ed. Naomi Noble. Richard. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice-Hall, 1994. Print.

Term Project for UCR Prof. Nyitray's CPLT144 - Buddhist Literature - 6/1/2010.
Originally Published: 2010.

Feel free to check out the original project I turned in by clicking here!