Onoe Matsusuke as a Kannen-Butsu or Mendicant Buddhist Monk 1780 - 1800

This woodblock print depicts Onoe Matsusuke as a Kannen-Butsu, a mendicant Buddhist monk, created by Katsukawa Shunko in Japan during the Edo period. Notice how the figure carries a trumpet and a small bell, instruments used to solicit alms. The fan he holds is adorned with a symbol of fortune. The image of the mendicant monk transcends time, echoing in various cultures. Consider the wandering ascetics of ancient Greece or the medieval friars of Europe, all sharing the common thread of renunciation and spiritual seeking. The monk's posture, head tilted back, eyes closed, recalls classical images of ecstasy, a deeply human desire for transcendence present in art from the past to our present day. Observe also the emotional weight Shunko gives Onoe's face, hinting to a sense of profound solemnity, indicative of the introspection and contemplation that mendicancy entails. This expression speaks across centuries, connecting to similar depictions of spiritual figures engaged in prayer or meditation. It is a reminder of our shared human quest for meaning and solace.