Willow-and-Moon Kannon (Yōryū Kannon)

Description

This painting of Kannon, a Buddhist deity of mercy and compassion with many forms. is attributed to Gakuō Zōkyū, a well-known Zen monk who specialized in ink painting. Kannon looks at the moon reflected in the water, a symbol of impermanence, and holds a willow branch and water vase symbolizing healing and purification.

Provenance

(Kochukyo Co., Inc., Tokyo, Japan, ?-1985, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?-1985); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH, 1985-present (1985-)

Willow-and-Moon Kannon (Yōryū Kannon)

Gakuō Zōkyū

c. 1500

Accession Number

1985.110

Medium

Hanging scroll; ink on paper

Dimensions

Overall with knobs: 207 x 67.9 cm (81 1/2 x 26 3/4 in.); Painting only: 104.8 x 44 cm (41 1/4 x 17 5/16 in.)

Classification

Painting

Museum

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Cleveland, United States

Credit Line

John L. Severance Fund