The Art of Zen: Paintings and Calligraphy by Japanese Monks 1600-1925 Reprint Edition Contributor(s): Addiss, Stephen (Author) |
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ISBN: 1635617391 ISBN-13: 9781635617399 Publisher: Echo Point Books & Media OUR PRICE: $39.85 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: February 2019 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Religion | Buddhism - Zen (see Also Philosophy - Zen) - Art | Subjects & Themes - Religious - Art | History - General |
Dewey: 759.952 |
Physical Information: 0.75" H x 8.5" W x 11" (2.20 lbs) 226 pages |
Themes: - Cultural Region - Japanese - Religious Orientation - Buddhist |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Zen, the practice of seeking and achieving enlightenment, is embodied in art forms as diverse as sand gardens and tea ceremonies. However, the attempt to artistically express the inexpressible finds one of its clearest manifestations in painting. Especially after 1600, more and more Japanese Zen masters began depicting their individual paths to enlightenment with bold, inked brushstrokes of images and calligraphy of Zen subjects and sayings. The result was a visual expression of Zen called Zenga (literally "Zen picture"), the purest possible communication of Zen principles, and often used as an aid in meditation. As practiced by Zen masters, who were expert in calligraphy but not professional artists, the subject matter was often simple, suggestive, and abstract, though sometimes the artists depicted humorous portraits of Zen masters and their followers. |