中原南天棒 Nakahara Nantenbo (1839-1925) Rinzai sect priest Buddhist monk Japanese antique art Zen kakejiku kakemono wall hanging scroll / 四海雲水 鉢孟如雷 烏藤圓笠 化幾村歸 - Mendicant Priest RE311
offer expires at 12:01 AM PDT on 6 Feb 2026
Description
中原南天棒 Nakahara Nantenbo (1839-1925) Rinzai sect priest Buddhist monk Japanese antique art Zen kakejiku kakemono wall hanging scroll / 四海雲水 鉢孟如雷 烏藤圓笠 化幾村歸 - Mendicant Priest RE311
四海雲水 鉢孟如雷 烏藤圓笠 化幾村歸
Voices of begging for alms that monks in the world say are loudly like thunder. Appearance whose old stick and round hat after just becoming a priest. I wonder if how many monks will become true Zen monks and come back to their home village?
中原南天棒 Nakahra Nantenbo (1839-1925)
A Zen monk of the late Edo and Taisho periods. He is also known by another name, 白崖窟 Hakkeikutsu, but is more widely known as 南天棒 (Nantenbo). He is known as one of the most powerful monks of the Meiji period, who always carried a Nanten stick with him. He visited Zen temples all over the country and beat monks in training without mercy. He traveled all over the country, challenging even his masters to Zen battles. He went to as many as twenty-five dojos, and if he found someone inexperienced, he would beat him mercilessly with a Nantian stick. At a time when telephones and telegraphs were inadequate, rumors of the arrival of the Nantenbo had some people trembling with fear. He also devoted himself to teaching the laity, and his influence was felt by such figures as 山岡鉄舟 Yamaoka Tesshu, 乃木希典 Nogi Maresuke, and 児玉源太郎 Kodama Gentaro.
Upper right seal 'Nantenbo' 南天棒
with signature ' 83 years old Nantenbo' 八十三翁 南天棒 and seal 'Hakkeikutsu' 白崖窟 'Toshu' 鄧州
This hanging scroll by Nakahara Nantenbō (1839–1925), a renowned Rinzai Zen master, presents a powerful fusion of calligraphy and ink painting that embodies the spirit of mendicant Zen practice. The inscription—“Shikai unsui, hatsumō jorai, udō engasa, keiku sonki”—evokes the image of a newly ordained monk wandering the four seas, his alms bowl echoing like thunder, clad in a round hat and carrying a black vine staff. It poses a poignant question: how many will truly attain Zen and return to their native village? Signed “83-year-old Nantenbō” (八十三翁 南天棒) and sealed with “Hakkeikutsu” (白崖窟) and “Tōshū” (鄧州), the scroll reflects Nantenbō’s fierce commitment to authentic Zen training. His bold, expressive brushwork and rhythmic composition convey both spiritual urgency and deep compassion. As a figure who challenged convention and revitalized Zen through direct action and teaching, Nantenbō’s art remains a vivid testament to the living force of Zen.
Whole dimensions: 24.2" W x 75.5" H / 61.7cm x 192cm
Inside dimensions: 16.3" W x 50.5" H / 41.5cm x 128.4cm
Material: Silk
Technique: Handpainted
Roller ends: Wood
Weight: 400g
Condition
Antique items have originally crease, stain, damage, and more. I would like you to refer to the listing photos, but please understand that it's difficult to show all conditions by the photos. Special notes: STAIN, CREASE a little, DAMAGE, FOLD, HOLE, WARP, STAIN DAMAGE in the back of the mounting.
About the colors of the photos
The color of the actual item may look different from the picture because of the lighting. The color on a photo can differ because of light, screen settings, personal color perception, etc. Please understand that we can't control the varying light in different environments. Please read the description, check the actual photos, and ask questions if doubts in advance.
Shipping
"FREE SHIPPING" all over the world by International ePacket Light, EMS, or DHL.
Please Note
Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. From 1 July 2021, all commercial goods imported into the EU from a third country or third territory is subject to VAT irrespective of their value.
Our items are also sold in another shop at the same time.
We check our inventory daily, but there is a possibility that the item will be sold out in another store by a time lag and we may have to cancel your dealing at the time.
Of course, priority is the first purchase regardless of the price.
We appreciate your understanding.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We promise to always handle it sincerely.
