Page 235 - Edo: Art in Japan, 1615–1868

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Hakuin Ekaku (1685 -1768)
Daitô Kokushi (Shühó Myóchó)
Hanging scroll; ink on paper
131 x 56.3 (siVsx 22 Vs)
Eisei Bunko Foundation, Tokyo

• The venerated Zen master Daitó
Kokushi (1282 -1337; feokushi is a
posthumous title meaning "national
teacher") lived for a time among the
beggars who gathered under the Gojó
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Bridge in Kyoto. An exemplar of Zen
disdain for wealth and power, Daitô
preferred an anonymous life of
poverty until he was cajoled into
founding the monastery of Daitokuji
by retired emperor Hanazono (1297 -
1348). In time Daitokuji grew into one
of the largest and most lavishly
appointed Zen temples of Kyoto,
becoming a center for the Zen visual
arts and later for the tea ceremony.
One wonders what Daitó would have
thought of this conspicuous display
of wealthy patronage.
Like Hakuin, Daitó was known for the
severity of his teaching, and Hakuin
has depicted him here with an appro-
priately fierce expression. Daitó wears
a peasant's rain cape and hat, and he
holds a sack, representing his meager
material possessions. Hakuin must
have had a particular regard for Daitó:
his portraits of the Zen master show
more care and detail than his paintings
of other subjects.
Hakuin's inscription reads, "Through
their hardships the ancients attained
great light. If you do not believe this,
look well at this old man. If you give
me the melon without using your
hands, I will take it without using my
feet." The last sentence refers to
a legend in which the emperor sent
a messenger to find Daitó among the
beggars and bring him back to court.
Knowing that Daitó loved melons, the
messenger held one out, asking if
anyone could come and get it without
using his feet. Daitó gave himself
away by replying that the messenger
should offer it without using his
hands. Thus revealed, Hakuin was per-
suaded to attend the emperor. RTS
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