This painting is entitled Daruma by Hakuin. It follows in the style of Zen calligraphy/painting. Zen painting has always attracted me because excitement and serenity seem to fill each brushstroke. Simplicity as a theme, has also always drawn me to this style of painting.
Daruma, or Bodhidharma, was a Buddhist monk from southern India. He is creditted with introducing China to the way of Zen and is thus hailed highly as a patriarch. Daruma is depicted as ill-tempered, profusely bearded and a wide-eyed barbarian. This particular painting exemplifies the paradox of a simple medium utilized to create a very complex, tension-filled image, which could be an extention of the paradox of an irritable man, Daruma, spreading the art of peace that is Zen. The thickness and boldness of the simple lines matched up with the quick, angry strokes of Daruma's facial hair work together to create this unique portrayal of the ancient patriarch. While many depictions of Daruma are pleasing and very "Zen" as it were. I think that Hakuin's rendition does a fantastic job in capturing the tenacity that is central to Daruma's characterization.
Daruma, or Bodhidharma, was a Buddhist monk from southern India. He is creditted with introducing China to the way of Zen and is thus hailed highly as a patriarch. Daruma is depicted as ill-tempered, profusely bearded and a wide-eyed barbarian. This particular painting exemplifies the paradox of a simple medium utilized to create a very complex, tension-filled image, which could be an extention of the paradox of an irritable man, Daruma, spreading the art of peace that is Zen. The thickness and boldness of the simple lines matched up with the quick, angry strokes of Daruma's facial hair work together to create this unique portrayal of the ancient patriarch. While many depictions of Daruma are pleasing and very "Zen" as it were. I think that Hakuin's rendition does a fantastic job in capturing the tenacity that is central to Daruma's characterization.
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