flame like mountains in background with swirling clouds; pagoda at base of mountains at L; dense trees lower center with small huts, large rocks; small figure in fishing boat LLC

Fishing Alone in a Pure Creek, Spring 1924

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人皆曰吾老 

我豈徒守愚 
讀書不甚解 
求道與誰倶 
自古天下士 
却作布衣徒 
悠然獨養志 
寄跡泉石區
People all say I must be getting old,
But maybe I have been cultivating this stupidity!
I read books, but do not know how to interpret them;
I seek the Way, but have one to share with.
From ancient times, truly world-class scholars
Have been followers of the Way of Simple Clothes.
Trancelike, alone I nurture my intentions;
Visitors, please note this “region of streams and rocks.”

Kodōjin also inscribed this prose:
此幅固非應需而既作也。自画自娯,聯以達真耳。不問巧拙不論家派,著吾家法直興化合矣。豈復他有哉々々
This work was certainly not done under any compulsion. I paint myself for my own pleasure, simply to achieve Truth. For me there’s no question of skill or clumsiness, no concern about Schools of Painting: I implement my own style under direct inspiration of harmonious transformation. How could there be anything more to it than that'

Details
Title
Fishing Alone in a Pure Creek
Artist Life
1865 - 1944
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2013.29.840
Catalogue Raisonne
Marks 2023, no. 33
Curator Approved

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flame like mountains in background with swirling clouds; pagoda at base of mountains at L; dense trees lower center with small huts, large rocks; small figure in fishing boat LLC