Hanshan and Shide 1770 - 1773

Yosa Buson painted these scrolls of Hanshan and Shide using ink and color on paper. These aren't materials of high art, like oil on canvas, but come from the everyday world of calligraphy and letter writing. The artist has used washes of ink to create the forms of the figures, imbuing them with a sense of lightness and spontaneity. Notice the textural contrast between the rough, absorbent paper, and the fluid ink. This interplay between material and process is key to understanding the work's cultural significance. Brushwork like this is tied to centuries of calligraphic tradition. The control of the brush, the modulation of ink, and the balance of composition reflect long years of disciplined practice. Yet, Buson brings a sense of informality to the subject. These figures are not emperors or courtly figures, but rather semi-mythical monks known for their unconventional wisdom. By rendering them in a humble material like ink on paper, Buson elevates the everyday, challenging the traditional hierarchy between high art and the art of the people.