이조조심도기이 지본 35.5x129 일본

Shi Ke

이조조심도기이 지본 35.5x129 일본 by Shi Ke

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

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