Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) Hishaku (Water Ladle)Edo period (1615-1868), mid-18th century
Kakejiku (hanging scroll), ink on paper in silk mounts, depicting a hishaku (water ladle for use in the tea ceremony) in its stand, inscribed above Kannetsu no jigoku o kayou chabishaku mo kokoro nakereba kurusihimi nashi (for translation see below), sealed above the inscription Ryutoku senten, sealed at the end Hakuin and Ekaku; with a lacquered wood storage box. Overall: 184.5cm x 45.4cm (72 5/8in x 33 5/8in); image: 95.8cm × 27.6cm (37¾in × 10 7/8in). (2).注脚The meaning of the inscription (a favourite of Hakuin's) is 'Even a tea-ceremony ladle, subjected to the hells of heat and frost, will suffer nothing so long as its heart is unattached'. This sentiment chimes well with Hakuin's wider teaching; as a Zen master he insisted that zazen meditaton should be conducted in a spirit of total concentration and absolute freedom from distraction.