Blessings 1865

Sesshu Toyo made this hanging scroll titled 'Blessings' with ink on paper in 15th-century Japan. The large character dominates the composition, and smaller phrases run down the left side. Calligraphy was a vital art form in Zen Buddhist monasteries, where Sesshu trained. Brushwork was a discipline for monks, a way of honing focus and dedication. In such a setting, calligraphy was an institutional technology, a means of instilling and upholding the values of monastic life. At the same time, the artist could work against the implicit conservatism of such institutions, testing their limits. Sesshu's work shows the influence of Chinese landscape painting, with bold, expressive brushstrokes and a focus on capturing the essence of a scene rather than precise details. To understand Sesshu, you might explore the historical relationships between Zen Buddhism, artistic training, and social structure in medieval Japan. Consider the complex tensions between individual expression and the demands of institutions.