Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768)
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Monkey
19 x 101.5 cm
This is a work of his "young" age, dating from his sixties, as is clear from its lightness and charm. The monkey, reaching for the reflection of the moon in the water, represents all the illusions of life. The inscription reads "Ka no Yoshida no sa" (he is Yoshida), perhaps referring to Yoshida Kenkô (1283-2350), an early monk-poet.