Description

中原南天棒 Nakahara Nantenbo (1839-1925) Rinzai sect priest Buddhist monk Japanese antique art Zen kakejiku kakemono hanging scroll / 猛虎一声山月高 Mouko Sangetsu Issei Takashi RC661

猛虎一声山月高 Mouko Sangetsu Issei Takashi
猛虎 means fierce tiger, 一声 means one voice, 山 means mountain, 月 means moon, 高 means high. In short, a fierce tiger roars suddenly with one voice and break the silence. When I see outside, the moon is just shinning high in the sky.

中原南天棒 Nakahra Nantenbo (1839-1925)
A Zen monk of the late Edo and Taisho periods. He is also known by another name, 白崖窟 Hakkeikutsu, but is more widely known as 南天棒 (Nantenbo). He is known as one of the most powerful monks of the Meiji period, who always carried a Nanten stick with him. He visited Zen temples all over the country and beat monks in training without mercy. He traveled all over the country, challenging even his masters to Zen battles. He went to as many as twenty-five dojos, and if he found someone inexperienced, he would beat him mercilessly with a Nantian stick. At a time when telephones and telegraphs were inadequate, rumors of the arrival of the Nantenbo had some people trembling with fear. He also devoted himself to teaching the laity, and his influence was felt by such figures as 山岡鉄舟 Yamaoka Tesshu, 乃木希典 Nogi Maresuke, and 児玉源太郎 Kodama Gentaro.

with signature '79 years old Nantenbo' 七十九翁南天棒 and seal 'Hakkeikutsu' 白崖窟 'Toshu' 鄧州

This Zen calligraphy by Nakahara Nantenbō (1839–1925) presents the phrase “Mōko issei sangetsu takashi”, a vivid expression describing the sudden roar of a fierce tiger breaking the stillness of the mountains, while the moon shines high and undisturbed above. The bold, sweeping strokes embody the tension between explosive force and unshaken clarity—an image of awakening that arrives in an instant, cutting through hesitation like a single, decisive breath. Nantenbō’s characteristic energy is unmistakable here, the brushwork carrying the same uncompromising spirit that defined his life as a Rinzai monk who traveled from dojo to dojo, testing practitioners and teachers alike with his famed nanten staff. The inscription is signed “79-year-old Nantenbō” and sealed “Hakkeikutsu” and “Tōshū”, affirming both his identity and the maturity of his hand at the time of writing. When displayed, the work introduces a sharp, invigorating presence to the room, as if the echo of that single roar still lingers in the air while the quiet moonlight settles gently behind it.

Whole dimensions: 20.8" W x 78.8" H / 53cm x 200.2cm
Inside dimensions: 12.7" W x 57.3" H / 32.3cm x 145.6cm

Material: Paper
Technique: Handpainted
Roller ends: Wood

Weight: 390g

Condition

Antique items have originally crease, stain, damage, and more. I would like you to refer to the listing photos, but please understand that it's difficult to show all conditions by the photos. Special notes: STAIN, CREASE a little, DAMAGE, FOLD, HOLE, WARP, LARGE STAIN in the lower mounting, STAIN DAMAGE in the back of the mounting.

About the colors of the photos

The color of the actual item may look different from the picture because of the lighting. The color on a photo can differ because of light, screen settings, personal color perception, etc. Please understand that we can't control the varying light in different environments. Please read the description, check the actual photos, and ask questions if doubts in advance

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