The Second Patriarch Regulating the Mind, Part II, paper, 35.5x129, Japan
Meet the ultimate power nap! In this wild ink wash painting, a bald monk—identified as the Second Patriarch of Chan Buddhism—is fast asleep, leaning heavily against a giant, fluffy tiger who is also dozing off. The tiger, traditionally a symbol of ferocity and the untamed human mind, is completely subdued here, illustrating the concept of 'taming the mind' through meditation and inner peace. Shi Ke, an eccentric painter from the Five Dynasties period, used bold, splashing ink techniques to create this scene, breaking away from the rigid, detailed styles of his time. It’s a brilliant visual metaphor: if you can comfortably nap on a wild beast, you’ve definitely mastered your own thoughts!
- Technique
- Ink on paper
- Material
- Paper
- Dimensions
- 35.5 x 129 cm
Location: Tokyo National Museum