Yamaoka Tesshu (Japanese, 1836-1888), Calligraphy

Hanging scroll, ink and ink wash on paper, a bold painting of calligraphy, the expressive brush work is executed in a single stream with great vitality, artist's signature and two red artist seals to upper left, another red seal to upper right corner, wooden rollers, comes together with a tomobako wooden storage box.

DOA 74 x 18 in., Image size 45 1/4 x 12 7/8 in.

Private Collection, Florida

Yamaoka Tesshu was a layman who balanced Zen practice with family life, public service, and charity. A master swordsman and Emperor Meiji’s trusted aide, Tesshu produced an estimated one million calligraphy works to raise funds for temples and disaster relief during his lifetime. Though he charged nothing, donations were placed unopened in a box and used for the needy. Each work was brushed with a silent Buddhist vow to help all beings. Tesshu’s calligraphy crackles with energy and stands as some of the finest Zen art of the modern era.


Some light scattered foxing; horizontal creases; area of wear to paper below one seal.