Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangzi River on a Reed 1615 - 1641

Kano Genshun painted “Bodhidharma Crossing the Yangzi River on a Reed” using ink on paper during the Edo period in Japan, a time of economic growth, strict social order, and isolationist foreign policies. Here, Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism, is portrayed mid-journey, a visual metaphor for spiritual transition and the quest for enlightenment. Crossing the Yangzi River on a reed becomes less about physical travel and more about the crossing of existential divides, a journey anyone can relate to. Genshun’s choice to depict Bodhidharma hints at the intertwined relationship between Zen philosophy and the visual arts during the Edo period. Zen emphasizes direct experience and intuition, values that resonated with artists seeking to capture the essence of a moment or subject. The monochromatic ink strokes contribute to a sense of austere simplicity, reflecting the Zen emphasis on minimalism. Note how the economy of line work directs our attention to Bodhidharma’s serene expression, inviting us to contemplate the nature of inner peace amidst life’s turbulent currents.