Keio Museum Commons is proud to present an exhibition of Zen Buddhist art from the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation collection and Keio University's own collection. Chinese culture was brought into Japan together with Zen Buddhism during the Kamakura period (1185–1333) and was highly esteemed at Zen temples. These influences soon transcended religious frameworks and spread throughout the social climate of Japan at that time, forming the foundation of Muromachi culture (1336–1573). This exhibition provides us an opportunity to imagine the gaze of the Zen monks which transcends time and space, learn about the shonin (revered priests) they venerated and admire the picturesque landscapes they envisioned in their hearts, all whilst in a relaxed mental state of gayuu*.
The Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation (https://tokiwayama.org/en) is an organization founded by Japanese industrialist Tsusai Sugawara and holds his collection of art since 1943, a portion of which is entrusted to Keio University. This exhibition, commemorating the 80th anniversary since the establishment of the Tokiwayama Bunko Foundation, will focus on masterpieces of Muromachi paintings from the collection. In addition, works by Ikkyu and Sesshu from the Keio collection will be unveiled for the first time since their donation in 2021.
*Gayuu: to lie relaxed and gaze at a landscape painting, thereby picturing oneself playing within the world of the painting
