High Mountains, Flowing Water: Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi 1830 - 1850

Okura Ryūzan painted this hanging scroll depicting Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi during the Edo period, using ink and color on silk. Note the serene landscape where Yu Boya plays the guqin for his devoted listener, Zhong Ziqi. The guqin, a symbol of refinement, connects to the ancient idea that music could harmonize the cosmos and the human soul. We see this same belief echoed in Renaissance paintings, where musical instruments accompany divine figures, suggesting celestial harmony. Here, the waterfall and mountains also signify the purity and wisdom sought through nature. The enduring image of the musician and his listener speaks to the human need for understanding and connection. This motif reappears across cultures, reminding us of art's deep psychological power to evoke feelings of peace and contemplation. It’s a cycle, where each era reshapes the symbol, imbuing it with new life and meaning.