白隠慧鶴 Hakuin Ekaku (1686-1769)
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'Namu Jizô Ganshu Bosatsu'
11 x 55 cm
This calligraphy, perhaps dating from Hakuin' late seventies, is a mantra, naming the Bodhisattva Jizô and calling forth his powers, Jizô is the protector of children and also leads lost souls through hell. The calligraphy itself has a powerful, almost tortuous sense of movement, and shows Hakuin's wonderful mastery of the use of ink in his later years.

Namu myoho rengekyo (I devote myself to the Lotus Sutra)
Hanging scroll; ink on paper; 98 x 18.5 cm