Single Line from Zhuangzi, second half 19th century
Doi Gōgaexpand_more
Ink on paperexpand_more
Gift of the Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture; formerly given to the Center by Elizabeth and Willard Clarkexpand_more 2013.29.650
Not on Viewexpand_more
Zhuang Zhou, commonly known as Zhuangzi, lived in the fourth century BCE and is considered one of the greatest Chinese philosophers and an important figure in Daoism. In a very expressive and energetic style Doi Gōga wrote the very beginning of his book Zhuangzi, a collection of what is believed to be Zhuang Zhou’s own writings and those of his students and other thinkers in relation to him. The first chapter Xiao yao you (“Enjoyment in Untroubled Ease” or “Free and Easy Wandering”) expresses that we leave behind everything familiar and explore the unfamiliarity of the world when we wander beyond. Leaving behind what we have been taught, we learn to respond spontaneously and immediately. The text continues to describe the transformation of the fish Kun, from the Northern Ocean, into the bird Peng, which wanders to the Southern Sea. Kun stands for dark and passive that ultimately becomes bright and strong, represented through Peng.
北冥有魚 其名為鯤
In the Northern Ocean there is a fish, the name of which is Kun
Details
- Title
- Single Line from Zhuangzi
- Artist Life
- 1817 - 1881
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 2013.29.650
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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