Who painted Listening to the Wind in the Pines?

Listening to the Wind in the Pines was painted by Ikkyū Sōjun in 1404.

Where can I see Listening to the Wind in the Pines?

Listening to the Wind in the Pines is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Listening to the Wind in the Pines?

Listening to the Wind in the Pines is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Listening to the Wind in the Pines

Ikkyū Sōjun , 1404

Listening to the Wind in the Pines is an unspecified painting by the Renaissance artist Ikkyū Sōjun. It dates from 1404 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 1985.89
Credit line: Mr. and Mrs. William H. Marlatt Fund

About this work

This painting is one of the few surviving works linked to Ikkyū, a Zen monk known for breaking rules.

A monk sits cross-legged under a pine tree, eyes half-closed, listening to the wind. The branches twist above him, ink strokes dark against the blank paper.

This painting is one of the few surviving works linked to Ikkyū, a Zen monk known for breaking rules. The poem at the top isn’t just decoration, it’s a riddle about enlightenment. Solve it, and you might understand why the monk looks so peaceful.

If you like quiet scenes like this, look up Muromachi period (1392–1573).

Overview

Listening to the Wind in the Pines is a painting accompanied by a poem, created by a prominent Japanese Buddhist monk associated with Daitokuji temple in Kyoto.

Subject & Meaning

The work depicts a monk in contemplation beneath a pine tree, referencing two ninth-century Chinese Chan Buddhist monks. The accompanying poem explores the themes of Zen practice and enlightenment, posing a riddle that invites the viewer to reflect on the monk's serene state.

Technique & Style

The painting features a monk seated cross-legged under twisting pine branches, rendered in dark ink strokes against the blank paper, exemplifying a characteristic style of the period.

History & Provenance

Both the painting and its poem are attributed to a renowned Japanese Buddhist monk known for revitalizing Daitokuji temple, with Ikkyū being a possible candidate due to his association with unconventional Zen practices.

Context

This work is characteristic of the Muromachi period, a time when such serene and contemplative scenes were common in art, often reflecting the Zen Buddhist ideals of simplicity and mindfulness.