赤脚子筆　牧牛図|Oxherding

Art Historical Context

**Oxherding** *Sekkyakushi, first half of the 15 century* Hanging scroll; ink on paper This hanging scroll, created by the artist Sekkyakushi during Muromachi period (2–1573), captures a timeless rural scene of a boy tending an ox. Rendered in subtle ink washes on paper, the work exemplifies the minimalist elegance of Zen-influenced monochrome painting. Measuring about 21 by 11 inches in its image area, it unfolds as a vertical composition ideal for meditative contemplation, with the full mounting extending to over four feet—perfect for display in a tokonoma alcove during tea ceremonies or scholarly gatherings. The motif of oxherding draws from a profound Zen Buddhist allegory, symbolizing the spiritual journey toward enlightenment. The boy represents the practitioner, guiding the willful ox (the untamed mind) through stages of discipline and harmony. In the Muromachi era, amid samurai culture and imported Chinese ink traditions, such paintings bridged everyday life with philosophy, influencing later masters like Sesshū Tōyō. Sekkyakushi's spare brushwork—bold contours for the sturdy ox and fluid lines for the landscape—highlights economy of form, evoking vastness in simplicity. A gem from the Mary Griggs Burke Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this scroll invites visitors to pause and reflect on nature's quiet lessons, much like the Zen path it subtly charts.