Hanshan and Shide

寒山拾得図

c. 1745–76

Ike Taiga 池大雅

(Japanese, 1723–1776)

Culture

Japan, Edo period (1615–1868)

Medium

hanging scroll; ink and light color on paper

Measurements

Image: 121.5 x 41 cm (47 13/16 x 16 1/8 in.); Overall: 213.4 x 44.2 cm (84 x 17 3/8 in.)

Credit Line

Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1979.49

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Location

235A Japanese

Description

Hanshan and Shide are a pair of individuals associated with Chan, or Zen, Buddhism who lived on Mount Tiantai in China around the 700s to early 800s. In Japan, their names are read Kanzan and Jittoku. Hanshan, whose name means “Cold Mountain,” was a monk-poet, shown reading out from a scroll of his poetry in this work. His close friend Shide, or “Foundling,” was a temple’s custodian. Here, Shide listens intently to Hanshan’s verses, his brush broom behind him.