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Bodhidharma
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Chan (Japanese: Zen) Buddhism was introduced to China in the early 500s by Indian monk Bodhidharma (Japanese: Bodai Daruma; died before 534). It is said that upon his arrival in China, Bodhidharma was permitted to meet with Emperor Wu (reigned 502–49) of the Liang dynasty. Realizing the emperor did not understand his religious goals, the monk left and crossed the Yangzi River on a reed, settling in Henan Province’s Shaolin Monastery. This painting is a portrait of Bodhidharma accompanied by an inscription refering to his encounter with Emperor Wu.
| Artist / Maker | Unkei Eii |
|---|---|
| Date | early to mid-1500s |
| Culture / Origin | Japan, Muromachi period (1392–1573) |
| Medium | hanging scroll; ink on paper |
| Dimensions | Painting: 56.6 x 25.9 cm (22 5/16 x 10 3/16 in.); Mounted: 127.5 x 27.7 cm (50 3/16 x 10 7/8 in.) |
| Department | Japanese Art |
| Type | Painting |
About the Artist
Unkei Eii (Japanese, active c. 1504–1555) Full biography →
Provenance & Source
Image & data: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0 / Public Domain.
Condition
A detailed condition report and high-resolution photography are available from our specialists in advance of the sale.
Shipping & Collection
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