| ○△□ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | Sengai |
| Year | Between c. 1819–1828 |
| Medium | Ink on washi |
| Dimensions | 28.4 cm × 48.1 cm (11.2 in × 18.9 in) |
| Location | Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo |
Marusankakushikaku, also known as The Universe in English and as ○△□ referencing the work, is a zenga by Sengai, speculated to be made between 1819 and 1828. The work is currently located in Idemitsu Museum of Arts. It is called "he most mysterious work left by Sengai" as the work can be taken in many ways due to its simplicity.
Description
The artwork consists of three shapes, "○" (circle), "△" (triangle), "□" (square), drawn with ink. The square on the left is drawn in the lightest color, while the circle on the right is drawn in the darkest color. The work is 28.4 cm (11.2 in) tall, and is 48.1 cm (18.9 in) wide.
On the left of the work, the rakkan [ja] of Sengai and the phrase Fusō saisho zenkutsu (扶桑最初禅窟) are written. The letters mention the Shofuku-ji in Hakata, where Sengai was the chief priest. Works by Sengai usually has a eulogy with it, which is important when analyzing his works, although Marusankakushikaku lacks one.
The work is estimated to be made somewhere between 1819 and 1828 as the work has a stamp Sengai used in his 70s. The work is currently located in Idemitsu Museum of Arts in Tokyo.
Name
The work is usually called "○△□", due to the rakkan being located on the left. However, it is speculated that the shapes were drawn from the left due to the darkness of the ink, which raised concerns whether the work should be called "○△□" due to some people wanting to call the work "□△○" to respect the order of shapes. The work is called "The Universe" in English due to one of the main analysis of the work by D. T. Suzuki interpreting the subject of it as space from Sengai's view.
Analysis
The work is called "a unique and representative work of Sengai without any other example" because it is composed of simple shapes only. On the other hand, it is also described as the most difficult and mysterious work in Sengai's paintings because there is no eulogy next to the painting, which is usually included in works by Sengai.
D.T. Suzuki said that the work is the universe drawn by Sengai, and the circle stands for "infinite", the triangle for "the start of all things", and the square for two triangles, meaning that the process continues indefinitely, resulting in countless events.
References
- Yashima 2015, pp. 146.
- ^ "○△□｜収蔵品の紹介「出光コレクション」｜出光美術館". idemitsu-museum.or.jp. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- 衛藤吉則、石上敏、村中哲夫 (2004). 西日本人物誌8：仙厓. 西日本新聞社. p. 13.
- "仙厓義梵《○△□》「わかる」がわかるか──「中山喜一朗」：アート・アーカイブ探求｜美術館・アート情報 artscape". 美術館・アート情報 artscape (in Japanese). Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- Yashima 2015, pp. 140–146.
- ^ Yashima 2015, pp. 147.
- Suzuki, pp. 38. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSuzuki (help)
- Suzuki 2004, pp. 38.
Bibliography
- Suzuki, Daisetsu (19 March 2004). 仙厓の書画 [Works of Sengai] (in Japanese). Iwanami Shoten, Publishers. ISBN 9784000236423.
- Yashima, Shin (1 March 2015). 仙厓の禅画―ユーモアに包まれたメッセージ [Zengas of Sengai:messages coated in humor] (in Japanese). 竹林舎. ISBN 9784902084627.