Accession Number
1963/1.98

Title
Kômusô Monk and Attendant

Artist(s)
Soga Shōhaku

Object Creation Date
18th century

Medium & Support
hanging scroll, ink on paper

Dimensions
48 1/2 in x 19 3/4 in (123.2 cm x 50.1 cm)

Credit Line
Museum Purchase

Subject matter
Soga Shōhaku was originally trained in the Kanō school, but is mostly known for his revival of Muromachi period (1333-1573) styles of ink painting that drew from Song (960-1279) and Ming dynasty (1368-1644) works that were imported from China at the time. The subject of a Komusō monk (members of the Fuke sect of Zen Buddhism, known for wearing basket-like headdresses obscuring their identity) demonstrates Shōkaku's ability to use few lines to depict an abstracted figural form. 

Physical Description
This hanging scroll depicts two figures, one with with a head covering and billowing robes holding a staff, and a shorter figure looking out towards the viewer. An inscription is placed in the upper left corner of the image.

Primary Object Classification
Painting

Primary Object Type
hanging scroll

Additional Object Classification(s)
Painting

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
Buddhism
Figures
Japan
Japanese Buddhism
boy
boys
hanging scroll
hanging scrolls
ink
men (male humans)
monks
monks (people)