A Gatha (Contemplative Verse) by Fu Daishi (497–569) 1667 - 1693

Bankei Yōtaku created this hanging scroll with ink on paper in Japan during the Edo period. The bold, calligraphic strokes render a verse by the Zen master Fu Daishi, reflecting on the illusory nature of reality. This work embodies the Rinzai Zen sect's emphasis on direct experience and intuitive understanding, a departure from rigid intellectualism. Bankei Yōtaku was an important figure in popularizing Zen teachings among the common people, and he intentionally defied the established artistic conventions of the time. Note the unconventional brushwork, which would have challenged the traditional calligraphy schools favoured by the elite. Understanding this work requires looking at the institutional history of Zen Buddhism in Japan and its relationship to social class and artistic patronage. Investigating archival materials, such as letters and records of artistic exchange, will give you a richer appreciation of the artist’s innovative approach. Art, in this sense, can be read as a dynamic response to specific cultural and institutional forces.