In Zen art, just about anything can be a subject—there is a Zen painting of an abbot defecating in a field and, in more modern times, a painting of a Zen bicycle—but the most popular themes (besides enso and Daruma) are Kannon, Hotei, and Kanzan and Jittoku. Chinese patriarchs such as Eno (Hui-neng) and Rinzai (Lin-chi) are often depicted in Zen art, as is the Japanese patriarch Daito Kokushi (portrayed as a beggar). Staffs and fly whisks, representing practice and accomplishment, are favorite themes, as are monks going to town in long lines seeking alms. In the world of nature, Mount Fuji, symbol of nonduality, is a standard subject. Also, pine, bamboo, and plum blossoms appear regularly in Zen art, together with the orchid and chrysanthemum. These are popular subjects all over Asia, but Zen artists like to paint them as aspects of Buddha-nature rather than simply pretty plants and flowers. Zen artists like bulls a lot—when a bull sits it really sits, and when it moves it really moves. Skulls are another classical Zen theme. In truth, however, Zen painting is not bound by subject matter—it is the spirit manifested in the brush strokes that counts. Click on a scroll below for detailed scroll information. Join our mailing list to receive notification of website updates. Cranes by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2105 Zen Boar by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2102 Daruma/Kannon by Seki Rozan (1865-1944) Birds sing amid the flowers A mysterious spring wind blows ID: 232 Zen Bull (Ox) by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2093 Fan by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2107 Zen Hare by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2095 Hearth by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2104 Zen Monkey by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2100 Horse by Kato Goun (1915-1992) One Strong Horse ID: 271 Zen Mouse by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2092 Kannon by Miura Joten (1872-1958) Kanzeon!  Hail to Buddha!  We are one with Buddha! ID: 235 Zen Puppy by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2103 Kannon by Sugawara Jiho (1866-1956) Continuous thoughts [of Kanzeon] rise in our hearts ID: 238 Zen Ram by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2099 Kannon by Matsuoka Kankei (1876-1934) A flower of Meditation ID: 1915 Zen Snake by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2098 Kannon by Takeda Mokurai (1854-1930) She looks with compassion ID: 1949 Zen Tiger by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2094 Kaze Wind by Yamamoto Gempo (1886-1961) Wind (KAZE) ID: 207 Landscape by Deguchi Hidemaru (1897-1991) ID: 2018 Magic Jewels by Adachi Soho (twentieth century) Fukuju Nyoi [Magic Jewels of Good Fortune and Longevity] (signed) Ko Mountain Man of the Way ID: 19 Painting by Santoka Taneda (1882-1940) ID: 2020 Sake Gourd by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) When you drink sake ID: 212 Shinto Rooster by Deguchi Hidemaru (1897-1991) ID: 290 Staff by Masuda Seppo STAFF ID: 175 Tea Master by Daitoku-ji Torin (20th Century) ID: 2041 Zen Boar by Daien Kono Sokan (1901-1970) Showa 34 ID: 1950 Zen Chickens by Kato Goun (1915-1992) Under heaven Everywhere Spring! ID: 169 Zen Fish by Paul Reps (1893-1990) Who ID: 1920 Zen Geisha by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) ID: 2081 Zen Pine by Deguchi Onisaburo (1871-1948) ID: 2084 Zen Puppy by Sengai (1750-1837) ID: 2085 Zen Ram by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 297 Zen Rooster by Seki Yuho (1900-1982) As soon as the night seems to brighten, The rooster cries out! ID: 237 3 scroll set by Ohira Zenzo (1874-1952) Don't Know Hidden Deep Inside is Nirvana This is the Truth ID: 268 Fan by Yamamoto Gempo (1886-1961) ID: 300 Begging monks by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) Off they go  ID: 145 Zen Dragon/Seahorse by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2096 Buddhist Protector Wood Block Print by Hakuin (1685-1768) ID: 2124 Zen Horse by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2097 Chrysanthemums by Yamaoka Matsuko ID: 272 Zen Roosters by Seki Bokuo (1903-1991) ID: 2101 Dog Daruma by Furunaka Hoshu (1877-1947) This dog sings a tranquil melody. ID: 133 Dragon by Takatori Jisso (20th Century) ID: 246 Dragon by Nyoren (1785-1858) ID: 254 Dragon by Jade Hill (1786-1881) ID: 258 Dragon by Tenkai (19th Century) Dragon ID: 259 Dragon by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 266 Dream Butterflies by Oishi Junkyo (1887-1967) ID: 2012 Fukurokuju by Kano Tanyu (1602-1674) Fujurokuju Brushed by Tanyusai. ID: 98 Fukurokuju by Sengai (1750-1837) How many years Do all the gods Live? ID: 143 Gesshin Lotus Painting by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Dew settles On the lotus flowers In the garden pond... (signed) Rengetsu, seventy-seven years [old] ID: 38 Gold Kannon by Sato Zenchu (d. 1935) Ten Verse Life Prolonging Kannon Sutra ID: 201 Hotei by Mamiya Eiju (1871-1945) Overcoming physical obstacles in your path is good, But overcoming mental obstacles is much better! ID: 71 Hotei by Seki Yuho (1900-1982) ID: 2019 Kannon by Baba Ichiro (1888-1959) The glories of spring and autumn, the moon and flowers ID: 223 Kannon by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) She can manifest in thirty-two ways to save sentient beings ID: 240 Kannon by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) In the morning thinking of Kanzeon ID: 1953 Kannon Makes Tea by Michishige Shinkyo (1856-1934) Possessor of all virtue, Gazing with compassion on sentient beings. ID: 160 Kannon/Heart Sutra by Sugawara Jiho (1866-1956) Heart Sutra ID: 208 Laughing Sages by Ohira Zenzo (1874-1952) Laughing Sages ID: 126 Magic Jewel by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) If a jewel is not polished it will not become a gem ID: 203 Magic Mallet by Reikai Genyu (1877-1946) This instrument will show the way to Good Fortune and Longevity! (signed) Reikai ID: 108 Mendicant Monks by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) In our round straw hats, How many villages have we begged in today? (signed) Deiryu ID: 22 Monk by Yamamoto Gempo (1886-1961) Follow water to its source ID: 179 Monkey Reaching for the Moon in the Water by Yokoyama Marumitsu (1780-1854) ID: 2036 Monks Coming & Monks Going by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) Coming and Going ID: 206 Mt Fuji by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) ID: 284 Orchid by Sengai (1750-1837) Wonderful  ID: 262 Orchids by Kumazawa Taizen (1873-1968) This is the meaning ID: 183 Pampass Grass by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) In the fields of Musashino ID: 200 Pines/Cherry Blossoms by Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) My body renewed, my heart refreshed ID: 245 Plum Blossoms by Daien Kono Sokan (1901-1970) Soft Red Petals ID: 1951 Staff by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) ID: 2044 Tortoise by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) ID: 257 Treasure Boat by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) If someone asks the way to cross over this world of woe ID: 204 Zen Bamboo by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) [BAMBOO] A fresh breeze rustles each leaf. (signed) Deiryu ID: 21 Zen Bamboo by Shirozu Keizan (1897-1975) (signed) Heirin Bokugyu ID: 77 Zen Bamboo by Oishi Junkyo (1887-1967) (signed) Junkyo ID: 96 Zen Bird by Oishi Junkyo (1887-1967) SHIN GETSU RIN (MIND MOON ROUND) (signed) Junkyo ID: 95 Zen Birds by Seki Rozan (1865-1944) Words are exhausted. ID: 158 Zen Boar by Maeda Shodo ID: 1968 Zen Bow by Matsuzaka Kian (1892-1959) Employ the bow and arrow ID: 198 Zen Broom by Miura Joten (1870-1968) Flowing water whispers along the cold mountain path... (signed) Zuigan[-ji Abbot] the old fellow Hekiun ID: 94 Zen Bull by Daitoku-ji Sei'in (1900-1955) Voice of the valley, flowing water. ID: 161 Zen Couple by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) You will live to be a hundred; I will live to ninety-nine . . . Brushed by Tesshu Koho. ID: 40 Zen Couple by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) You will live to be a hundred, I will live to be ninety-nine ID: 186 Zen Couple by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) You will live to one hundred I will live to ninety-nine ID: 218 Zen Couple by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2037 Zen Cranes by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) Good fortune is brought By cranes giving good people . . . ID: 74 Zen Dog by Kato Goun (1915-1992) [Jo] Shu said, "MU!" ID: 197 Zen Dog by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) ID: 285 Zen Landscape by Nanzan (1756-1839) ID: 1952 Zen Master Bukan with Tiger by Ko Ryuko (1801-1859) (signed) Ko Ryuko ID: 80 Zen Money by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 247 Zen Mount Fuji by Furukawa Gyodo (1872-1961) A single gust of wind! (signed) Gyodo kao ID: 93 Zen Mount Fuji by Kasumi Bunsho (1905-1998) Good in the clear, Good hidden by clouds ID: 148 Zen Mount Fuji by Ueda Gizan (1891-1972) ID: 2039 Zen Mouse by Okada Kido (1902-1988) ID: 255 Zen Orchids by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) Resting on the rocks, Dancing in the wind. Painted and inscribed by Mui. ID: 50 Zen Plum Blossoms by Chingyu (1743-1822) ID: 261 Zen Rabbit by Kato Goun (1915-1992) ID: 265 Zen Rabbit by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) Days, Months are Long ID: 2015 Zen Skull by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) How pitiful, this skull lying exposed on an unknown riverbank. ID: 147 Zen Skull by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) This weather-beaten old skull ID: 230 Zen Snail by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) Mind and body as one ID: 227 Zen Staff by Unmon Sokudo (1690-1765) STAFF ID: 233 Zen Staff by Gasan (1853-1900) ID: 2135

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