Antique Japanese Calligraphy Scroll Painting Citing a Poem by Ikkyū (一休宗純). Ikkyū Sōjun, 1394–1481). Painted in traditional standard and cursive scripts. Meiji Period; signed in ink by the painter with red seal stamps. There is no date indicated.  Box inscription indicates the contents of the calligraphy references Buddhist scripture and referring to the Japanese Zen monk Ikkyu's poetry. Printed brocade paper. Very good antique condition; some creasing and soiling and an old repair to a worn spot near the top.

The three character inscription represents three basic components of the learning of Buddhist doctrine: Listening, Thinking, and Practice.   

Listening: Character for space; “leave room for listening.” Zen discipline, starts by right-listening.

Thought; cogitation and mindfulness.

Osamu is primarily a male name of Japanese origin that means Discipline, Study.

The red signature stamps are the calligrapher’s two names; roughly translated as MU YUAN and WU WAN JU SHI. 

Overall size 59.5 x 19”, 151 x 48cm.

Image size 40 x 13.625”, 101 x 35cm.

“Ikkyū is one of the most significant (and eccentric) figures in Zen history…one of the main influences on the Fuke sect of Rinzai Zen, and he was one of the most famous flute player mendicants of the medieval times of Japan…In 1474, which was when Kyoto was the scene of the Ōnin War, Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado designated Ikkyū Sōjun as the head priest.” (wikipedia)