Ensô circle scroll by artist Kasumi Bunshô
Price: € 600,00
Captivating kakejiku 掛け軸 (hanging scroll) by the Japanese Buddhist monk and artist Kasumi Bunshô 文勝春見 (1905-1998) with a Zen style painting of an ensô circle surrounding the Kanji for Awakening 覚 (kaku).
Ensô 円相 (“circular form”), a concept rooted in Zen Buddhism, represents a simple yet profound expression of enlightenment and the interconnectedness of all things. It is a hand-drawn circle, often incomplete, created in one fluid stroke. The ensô embodies the beauty of imperfection, capturing the present moment and the impermanent nature of existence. The act of creating an ensô is a meditative practice, reflecting the artist’s state of mind and spiritual awakening. It symbolizes emptiness, unity, and the infinite potential within the void (known as mu 無). The ensô serves as a visual reminder to embrace the transience of life and to find harmony within the ever-changing world.
Signed ‘Mizukara Kasumi Hachijusan sho’ 自春見八十三書 (83 writings by Mizukara Kasumi).
Sealed: Bunshô 文勝, Mutenkaku 無天覚 and Mizukara Kasumi 自春見.
Kasumi Bunsho, a renowned Zen calligrapher and artist, was deeply influenced by two prominent Zen teachers, Nantembo and Deiryu. His work, particularly his Zen circles (ensô), reflects the influence of Deiryu’s approach. While traditional ensô are usually painted in a single stroke with the centre left blank, both Deiryu and Bunsho often incorporated calligraphy or images within the centre of their ensô. Additionally, they employed a distinctive pale gray ink for their brushwork.
He became a priest in 1921 and began his Zen training in 1933, eventually serving as the abbot of Kaisei-ji temple in Nishomiya -Nantembo and Deiryu resided here as well-. He establishes his own dojo in 1949. In 1990, he became the 29th Kanchô (Chief Abbott) of the Myôshin sect at Myôshinji, following in the footsteps of Nantembo and Deiryu. The last photo is a portrait of the artist.
Sumi (black ink) on paper. The mounting is made of golden brocade silk and greyish blue silk. The jikusaki 軸先 (rod ends) are made of black lacquered wood.
In a very good original condition. Including wooden tomobako 供箱 (storage box) and protective cover.
Dimensions:
Height approx. 106.5 cm, Width 62 cm.
Jikusaki: Diameter 2.5 cm.
Period: Japan – 1996 (Heisei period).
Provenance: From the renowned Japanese scroll gallery ‘Orandajin’, ‘s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands.
When shipped we will add a certificate of authenticity.
