Chinese Poem Extolling a Reclusive Lifestyle 0 - 18

This hanging scroll, made by Jakugon in the eighteenth century, presents a Chinese poem rendered in dynamic strokes of ink on paper. The composition rises vertically, encouraging the eye to ascend through the calligraphic forms. Jakugon’s brushwork varies from thick, bold gestures to delicate, almost skeletal lines, creating a visual rhythm that oscillates between density and openness. The stark contrast of the black ink against the pale ground emphasizes the texture and movement inherent in each stroke. The characters, though rooted in tradition, lean towards abstraction. The forms push against conventional legibility, evoking a sense of the poem’s meaning, rather than literally illustrating it. The poem, extolling a reclusive lifestyle, finds a visual echo in the artwork's formal qualities. The rugged, unconventional forms mirror the idea of breaking away from societal norms. The poem is not just read, but visually experienced. The brushstrokes remind us that art is a site where tradition and personal expression meet.