Portrait of Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) - Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)

A formal portrait of the Zen master Yinyuan Longqi, founder of the Obaku school, depicted in traditional monastic robes with a staff.

This hanging scroll depicts Yinyuan Longqi, also known as Ingen Ryūki, the founder of the Obaku school of Zen Buddhism in Japan. The portrait follows the traditional format of Chinese Chan (Zen) patriarch portraiture, known as 'chinzō'. These works were often commissioned to verify the transmission of the dharma from master to disciple. Yinyuan is shown seated in a formal, high-backed chair, a posture that denotes his authority and status within the monastic hierarchy.

He wears the formal robes of a high-ranking monk, with a white undergarment layered beneath a red outer mantle. His expression is calm and direct, reflecting the meditative discipline central to his teachings. He holds a long wooden staff in his right hand, while his left hand rests near a whisk, a traditional symbol of a Zen master's ability to sweep away ignorance. The composition is symmetrical and balanced, placing the figure firmly in the centre of the frame. The background remains plain, ensuring the viewer focuses entirely on the subject.

The calligraphy at the top of the scroll provides context for the image, linking the physical presence of the master to his philosophical teachings. The use of ink and colour on silk allows for fine detail in the facial features, capturing the age and wisdom of the subject. This style of portraiture was highly influential in the development of Japanese religious art during the Edo period. It serves as a record of the individual's appearance and his role in the religious life of the time. The work is a fine example of the intersection between spiritual practice and formal portraiture, demonstrating the technical skill required to balance realism with the symbolic requirements of Zen iconography.