Manpukuji Temple: Master Yinyuan Longqi

JAPAN, Kyoto; Edo period

Yinyuan Longqi was born in Fuzhou, Fujian, China, and was ordained as a monk between the late Ming (1368–1644) and early Qing dynasties (1644–1911) under Master Itsunen Shoyu. He traveled to Japan in 1654 at the invitation of Itsunen Shoyu, established Manpukuji Temple in Uji, Kyoto, and founded the Obaku school. After his death, he was awarded the title of National Master.
The artist, Kita Genki, lived in Kyoto and Edo during the early Edo period. He painted many portraits of Zen monks, especially of the Obaku school. This painting dates from 1671 and is listed as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.
As is customary in paintings of monks of the Obaku school, the subject faces straight ahead, and only the upper body visible. Ingen is shown in his old age, holding a whisk in his left hand and a long staff in his right. Other characteristics are the thick lines applied to the monastic robe and the use of Western shading techniques on the face.