Muqi

Muqi, Detail of dusk over fisher's village, from the handscroll "Eight Views of Xiao and Xiang", circa 1250, Collected in Nezu Art Museum

Muqi or Muxi (Chinese: 牧谿; Japanese: Mokkei; 1210?–1269?), also known as Fachang (Chinese: 法常), was a Chinese Chan Buddhist monk and painter who lived in the 13th century, around the end of the Southern Song dynasty (1127–1279). Today, he is considered to be one of the greatest Chan painters in history. His ink paintings, such as the Daitokuji triptych and Six Persimmons are regarded as essential Chan paintings.[1] Muqi's style of painting has also profoundly impacted painters from later periods to follow, especially monk painters in Japan.[2]

According to Chinese secondary sources, Muqi's surname was thought to be Li.[3] "Muqi" was his art name, and "Fachang" was, in fact, his formal name in the monastery system.[4]

  1. ^ Lachman, Charles (2005). "Art". In Lopez, Donald S. (ed.). Critical terms for the study of Buddhism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 4~5. ISBN 9780226493237. OCLC 270606633.
  2. ^ Rio, Aaron (2015). Ink painting in medieval kamakura. pp. 67~113.
  3. ^ Weu, Nancy (1974). Mu-chʻi and zen painting. University of Chicago. p. 13.
  4. ^ Wey, Nancy (1947). Mu-chʻi and zen painting. University of Chicago. p. 9.