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Lot Essay
The phrase teizen no hakujushi represents a Zen koan commonly translated as "the oak tree in the front garden". The story behind this koan originates from an encounter between a famous Chinese monk, Zhaozhou Congshen (778-897), and a question regarding the meaning of Zen. When asked about Bodhidharma's coming to China from the west, Zhaozhou Congshen replied with the phrase "the oak tree in the front garden".
In reality, the "oak tree" is a Chinese Juniper that is evergreen and can endure all seasons. The temple where Zhaozhou Congshen lived had planted many Chinese Juniper trees, and his response implied that everything in the world, including all little beings and what we hear, feel, and see, are the meaning of Zen.
This koan is one of Munakata's favorites, and he revisited the phrase multiple times, brushing it vertically, horizontally, and incorporating it into his paintings.
In reality, the "oak tree" is a Chinese Juniper that is evergreen and can endure all seasons. The temple where Zhaozhou Congshen lived had planted many Chinese Juniper trees, and his response implied that everything in the world, including all little beings and what we hear, feel, and see, are the meaning of Zen.
This koan is one of Munakata's favorites, and he revisited the phrase multiple times, brushing it vertically, horizontally, and incorporating it into his paintings.