Calligraphy with Willow and Swallows

1400s

Ikkyū Sōjun

Ikkyū Sōjun (Japanese, 1394–1481)

Japanese Art

Calligraphy with Willow and Swallows, 1400s. Ikkyū Sōjun (Japanese, 1394–1481). Hanging scroll, ink on paper; overall: 104 x 34.8 cm (40 15/16 x 13 11/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift from the Collection of George Gund III 2015.463

Original Source

Maker/Artist: Ikkyū Sōjun
Classification: Painting
Formatted Medium: hanging scroll, ink on paper
Medium: hanging, scroll, ink, paper
Dimensions: Overall: 104 x 34.8 cm (40 15/16 x 13 11/16 in.)
Inscribed: Inscription: How many days has it rid itself of the crow’s cloth? It knows not!/ Lovely is its body so nimble and neat./ Neither men of wealth, courtly position, or power can come close to the unfettered, noble swallow!/ With the coming of spring, it seems to be flying about, dancing around the grass hut of the foolish Priest. signed: Unkasō Isshi Tōkai jun Ikkyū shi ga ippitsu Inscription: outer box inscribed: Ikkyū Ōshō Enshi-zu Jigasan Translation: Painting of swallow with self-inscribed encomium by Ikkyū Ōshō Inscription: inner box side lid inscribed: Showa 50 (1975), November by Tayama Honan with kao Inscription: Inner box side lid inscribed: Ikkyū Ōshō Bokuseki Translation: A calligraphy by the priest Ikkyū written by the Momoyama period daimyo Hosokawa Sansai (1563-1645)
Departments: Japanese Art
Accession Number: 2015.463
Credit Line: Gift from the Collection of George Gund III
Exhibitions: Ink Paintings and Ash-Glazed Ceramics: Medieval Calligraphy, Painting, and Ceramic Art from Japan and Korea, Japanese Gallery 235 Rotation
Rights Statement: CC0