A Line from the Chinese Poem “Grasses” by Bai Juyi - Motsurin Jōtō

A 15th-century Japanese calligraphy scroll by the Zen monk Motsurin Jōtō, featuring a line from the poem 'Grasses' by Bai Juyi.

This hanging scroll features the calligraphic work of Motsurin Jōtō, a Zen monk active during the Muromachi period. The text presents a line from the celebrated poem 'Grasses' by the Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi. The characters are rendered in a fluid, cursive script that demonstrates the artist's mastery of brush control and ink modulation. The varying density of the ink, ranging from deep, saturated blacks to lighter, translucent washes, creates a sense of rhythm and movement across the vertical surface of the paper.

In the tradition of Zen calligraphy, the act of writing is an expression of the practitioner's state of mind. Motsurin Jōtō, also known as Bokusai, was associated with the Daitoku-ji temple in Kyoto, a centre for the study of Zen and the arts. His approach to the brush is direct and unadorned, prioritising the energy of the stroke over formal precision. The composition is vertical, typical of the format used for display in a tokonoma, or alcove, within a Japanese interior. The characters are arranged in a single column, their forms interlocking to guide the viewer's eye from top to bottom.

The poem by Bai Juyi, which reflects on the resilience and cyclical nature of grass, was a popular subject for literati and monks alike. By choosing this text, the artist engages with a long tradition of Chinese literary influence on Japanese culture. The work is mounted as a traditional hanging scroll, with silk borders that frame the paper. The simplicity of the ink-on-paper medium allows the focus to remain entirely on the gestural quality of the characters. This piece offers a glimpse into the aesthetic values of the Muromachi period, where the discipline of Zen practice informed the visual arts, resulting in works that balance technical skill with spontaneous expression.