Guan Xiu

Chinese

Guan Xiu

Famous for eccentric Arhat paintings

Guan Xiu(贯休) (832–912), whose family name was Jiang and given name was Xiu, had the courtesy names Deyin(德隐) and Deyuan(德远), and was also known as Chan Yue Dashi. He was from Lanxi, Wuzhou (modern-day Lanxi, Jinhua, Zhejiang Province). He was a poet-monk, painter, and calligrapher during the late Tang Dynasty and Former Shu period of the Five Dynasties. In the third year of the Kaicheng era (838), Guan Xiu became a monk at Anhe Temple in Lanxi. In the fifth year of the Dazhong era (851), he received full ordination. In the eleventh year of the Dazhong era (857), he was active in the Jiangdong area. In the second year of the Qianning era (895), he visited Cheng Rui, the military governor of Jingnan, and lived at Longxing Temple. Later, after offending Cheng Rui, he was expelled from Jiangling in the first year of the Tianfu era (901) and sent to Gong'an County (or said to be in central Guizhou) for placement. In the second year of the Tianfu era (902), Guan Xiu headed west to Shu. He was warmly welcomed by Wang Jian, the founding emperor of Former Shu, who gave him the title "Chan Yue Dashi," built the Longhua Chan Monastery for him, and frequently rewarded him. In the second year of the Qianhua era under Later Liang (912), Guan Xiu passed away at the age of 81. In his early years, Guan Xiu gained fame for his poetry and was also skilled in cursive script, with works like the "Chan Yue Collection." In painting, he excelled at Buddhist imagery, especially famous for his arhat paintings.

Artworks by this artist (15 total)