Account of the Pavillion of an Old Drunkard [left of a pair], 1729
Hosoi Kōtakuexpand_more
Six-panel folding screen; ink on paperexpand_more
Gift of Stephen Addiss and Audrey Yoshiko Seoexpand_more 2013.63.10.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
Kōtaku was most responsible for the spread of karayō (Chinese-style) calligraphy also by publishing instructive guidebooks.
The Chinese statesman, calligrapher, and poet Ouyang Xiu (1007–1072) wrote the story of the Old Drunkard's Pavilion in 1046.
"Chu has mountains all around it, but the forests and valleys in the southwestern range are particularly attractive. There is one that even from a distance appears to be the most lush and elegant; that is Langye Mountain. If you walk a few miles into its hills, you gradually become aware of the sound of gurgling water flowing out from between two peaks; this is Wine-Brewing Brook. The road winds past veering heights, and soon you come to a pavilion that spreads out beside the spring: this is Old Drunkard’s Pavilion. Who was it that built this pavilion' A monk of the mountains, Zhi Xian. Who named it' The Governor, who named it after himself. The Governor and his friends go there often to drink. The Governor gets drunk on even a small amount of wine, and he is also the oldest in the group; that is why he calls himself the Old Drunkard. However, the Old Drunkard’s real interest is not the wine but the mountains and streams. Having caught the joys of the mountains and streams in his hear, he lodges them in wine.
When the sun rises, the forest mists vanish; these alternations of light and darkness mark the mountains’ dawns and dusks. As the wild flowers blossom they send forth subtle fragrance, as tall trees bloom they yield deep shade; then the winds and frost are lofty and pure, the rivers dry up and their stones are exposed; these are the four seasons in the mountains. If one spends the day walking in the mountains, one finds that the scenery changes with each season, and the pleasure it provides likewise has no end.
Men carrying heavy loads sing in the valleys, travelers rest under the trees, those in front call out, and those behind yell back. From old men with crooked backs to children led by the hand—people pass back and forth continuously; those are the nat
Details
- Title
- Account of the Pavillion of an Old Drunkard [left of a pair]
- Artist Life
- 1658 - 1735
- Role
- Calligrapher
- Accession Number
- 2013.63.10.1
- 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.
Does something look wrong with this image? Let us know
Zoom in on the left to the detail you'd like to save. Click 'Save detail' and wait until the image updates. Right click the image to 'save image as' or copy link, or click the image to open in a new tab.