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Admiring the Legendary Mad Monks: Paintings of Hanshan and Shide from the Museum Collection

  • Image of "The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide (From a Scroll of Zen Paintings) (detail), By Yin Tuoluo; inscription by Chushi Fanqi, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, On exhibit through October 9, 2023)"

    The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide (From a Scroll of Zen Paintings) (detail), By Yin Tuoluo; inscription by Chushi Fanqi, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, On exhibit through October 9, 2023)

    Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Room T1
    September 12, 2023 (Tue) - November 5, 2023 (Sun)

    Hanshan and Shide were poet-monks who allegedly lived during China's Tang dynasty (618–907). They were labeled "madmen" for their eccentric behavior, while others saw their antics as a sign of enlightenment. They were particularly admired by followers of Zen Buddhism, and were depicted countless times in paintings.

    People in China and Japan were captivated by Hanshan and Shide's deviation from societal norms, viewing their nonconformist behavior in a positive light. This exhibition focuses on Hanshan and Shide as a traditional subject in painting, exploring their significance in China and Japan and examining how people envisioned these two eccentrics and their unconventional worldview.

    List of Exhibits

Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.

The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide (From a Scroll of Zen Paintings), By Yin Tuoluo; inscription by Chushi Fanqi (1296–1370), China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (National Treasure, On exhibit through October 9, 2023)

The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide, Attributed to Yin Tuoluo; inscription by Cijue, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Art Object, On exhibit from October 11, 2023)

The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide, Attributed to Yan Hui, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, On exhibit from October 11, 2023)

The Four Sleepers, Inscriptions by Pingshi Rudi , Huaguo Ziwen and Mengtang Tane, China, Yuan dynasty, 14th century (Important Cultural Property, On exhibit through October 9, 2023)

The Eccentrics Hanshan and Shide, Attributed to Shūbun; inscription by Shun’oku Sōen, Muromachi period, 15th century (Important Cultural Property, On exhibit from October 11, 2023)

Scene Based on a Love Poem by the Nobleman Fujiwara no Asatada, By Suzuki Harunobu, Edo period, 18th century (On exhibit through October 9, 2023)

Album of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets, By Karasumaru Mitsuhiro, Edo period, 17th century (Gift of Mr. Momose Osamu and Mrs. Momose Fumiko)

 

Pamphlet

Admiring the Legendary Mad Monks: Paintings of Hanshan and Shide from the Museum Collection

TAdmiring the Legendary Mad Monks:
Paintings of Hanshan and Shide from the Museum Collection

This pamphlet is also available at the information desk in the Honkan during the exhibition period.
PDF（4.1MB）

 

Exhibitions