Poems Dedicated to Muin Genkai

JAPAN; Yuan dynasty

This scroll of three poems, written by Feng Zizhen for the Japanese monk, Muin Genkai, discusses the monk’s journey to China during the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). Despite his relocation to a foreign place, Muin was able to maintain a distinguished monastic bearing. He went to China in 1308 and became a disciple of Chan Master Zhongfeng Mingben before returning to Japan in 1326. This piece was listed as a National Treasure of Japan in 1953.
Feng Zizhen, also known as Haisu, was a calligrapher and scholar of the Yuan dynasty (1271–1368). He was often in the company of Zhao Mengfu, Zhongfeng Mingben, and other Chan masters. Visiting Japanese monks often returned to their homeland with a piece of Feng’s calligraphy work, and this poem was one such example. His calligraphy is strongly expressive, and brushstrokes are forcefully executed with unreserved candor. Diagonal strokes are lengthily drawn. While his hasty brushwork shows scarce concern for details, the articulation and composition appears thematically consistent and appreciably unique as a whole.