Renowned Edo Period (1603-1867) Zen Buddhist Hakuin Ekaku is best known for the role he played in reviving the Rinzai religious school after a period of decline. Hakuin spent most of his life teaching his belief, often using a unique style of calligraphic painting to relate his thoughts. Despite the widespread preservation of his work, however, such images have rarely been shown to the public. This exhibition, presumed to be the largest retrospective of Hakuin's calligraphy, is therefore all the more unprecedented.
As a painter, Hakuin tackled broad-ranging themes, on the one hand depicting mythological figures and creatures from folk tales, and on the other personifying animals such as monkeys and mice; Dec. 22-Feb. 24.
The Bunkamura Museum of Art; (03) 5777-8600; 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Shibuya Station, JR Yamanote Line. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. (Fri. and Sun. till 9 p.m.). ¥1,400. Closed on Jan. 1. www.bunkamura.co.jp.
