Kenchoji Temple: Master Lanxi Daolong

JAPAN, Kanagawa, Kamakura; Kamakura period

This painting of Chan Master Lanxi Daolong, dating from 1271 of the Kamakura period, was listed as a National Treasure in 1952. Lanxi Daolong lived in Sichuan, China during the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). He studied under the eminent monks Wuzhun Shifan, Chijue Daochong, and Beijian Jujian, and received Dharma transmission from Master Wuming Huixing. In 1252, Regent Hojo Tokiyori invited Lanxi to Japan, where he founded Kenchoji Temple. After he passed away, he was honored with the posthumous title “Daikaku” (Great Awakening).
In the painting, Lanxi is seated on a chair draped with a cover. He wears a monastic robe and holds a scepter. His shoes are placed on a low stool in front of the chair. Washes of ink and faint color are applied to the skin of the figure and the robe. Lanxi’s white skin is washed with faint red and his robe is washed with ink. The facial features are realistically portrayed with fine lines, while bold strokes are used to depict the folds in the robe and the cover of the chair.