Zen-schildering en kalligrafie 1716 - 1789

Suiō Genro created this Zen painting and calligraphy scroll with ink on paper in the 18th century. At first glance, the bold brushstrokes may seem abstract, but they are laden with symbolic intent rooted in Zen Buddhist philosophy. The image suggests a single, unbroken bamboo stalk. Bamboo, in Zen art, embodies resilience, flexibility, and the ability to withstand adversity—qualities central to the Zen path. We see this symbol echoed across cultures, from the flutes of ancient Greece, thought to induce ecstatic states, to the tree of life in Mesopotamian art, each bearing the weight of cultural memory. The bamboo bends but does not break, reflecting the human spirit's capacity to endure suffering and find enlightenment. This imagery, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness, resonates as a powerful symbol of hope, survival, and the continuous cycle of renewal.