Spring Colors
Quanta Xingan 千呆性侒 (Jp. Sengai Shōan, 1636-1705)
Japan, Edo period (1615-1868)
Hanging scroll, ink on paper
63.7 cm x 29.2 cm, 67.8 cm x 121 cm (mounted)
Collection of Harald Conrad
紫宸宮裡話禪機
看彼靈雲更不疑
空手牽牛天外去
無邊春色燦龍鬚
The Buddhist wisdom was transmitted in the emperor’s palace,
Master Lingyun achieved enlightenment.
With empty hands we guide the buffalo to leave the limited world,
The Longxu mountain shines in boundless spring colors.
—trans. Harald Conrad