{"product_id":"vintage-japanese-kakemono-scroll-zen-monk-ryokan-playing-children-dated-1989","title":"Vintage Japanese Kakemono Scroll Zen Monk Ryokan Playing Children Dated 1989","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Poem\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e今日も楽しく子供と遊ぶ良寛様 (\"Kyō mo tanoshiku, kodomo to asobu, Ryōkan-sama\") — \"Today again, joyfully, playing with the children — that is Ryōkan-sama.\" The verse celebrates the Zen priest's most enduring image: a man of profound spiritual attainment who chose to spend his days at play with village children rather than pursue status or doctrine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWho Was Ryōkan\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRyōkan Taigu (良寛大愚, 1758–1831) was one of the most beloved Zen monks, poets, and calligraphers of the late Edo period. He renounced formal temple life for a hermit's existence, living simply among ordinary people. He became legendary for his genuine love of children, often seen playing temari (a hand-stitched cloth ball, visible tucked behind his robe in this painting) or hide-and-seek with the village youth — sometimes so absorbed in play that he reportedly hid until nightfall rather than break a promise to a child. This image of joyful, unguarded presence became a lasting symbol in Japanese Zen art of \"the mind of a child\" (赤子の心, sekishi no kokoro) — the idea that true enlightenment is not solemn withdrawal from the world, but a return to complete, innocent presence within it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eDedication \u0026amp; Date\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe scroll bears a dated inscription, 平成元年春 (Heisei gannen haru) — \"Spring of the first year of Heisei,\" corresponding to spring 1989. To the left of the composition, a dedication reads 笠原渡殿ニ贈ル — \"respectfully presented to Kasahara Wataru-dono,\" confirming this was created as a named personal gift rather than for open sale, a detail that adds a layer of documented human history to the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eArtist\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSigned 峰池 (Hōchi) in the lower left, accompanied by two red seals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eCondition \u0026amp; Presentation\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePainted in ink and light color on paper, mounted in traditional silk-brocade borders.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chikoyaki","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46418996199503,"sku":"CKY-KAK-00322","price":179.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/6588\/1423\/files\/IMG_E4009_result.jpg?v=1786974143","url":"https:\/\/chikoyaki.com\/products\/vintage-japanese-kakemono-scroll-zen-monk-ryokan-playing-children-dated-1989","provider":"Chikoyaki","version":"1.0","type":"link"}