Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) Hakue Kannon (White-robed Kannon)

Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) Hakue Kannon (White-robed Kannon)
Edo period (1615-1868), mid-18th century
Kakejiku (hanging scroll), ink on paper in antique silk mounts, depicting the bodhisattva Kannon clothed in white robes seated on a pile of leaves, wearing her typical compassionate smile, at her right a branch of willow in a vase standing on a rock, inscribed above Jigen shijujo fukujukai muryo (The bodhisattva's merciful eye watches over all living things, a limitless ocean of happiness and long life), the words fukuju (happiness and long life) written in larger characters, the painting of Kannon sealed Hakuin and Ekaku, the inscription preceded by a seal Rinzai seishu (The true Rinzai [Zen] succession) and concluding with two unread seals; with a wood tomobako storage box, the exterior inscribed Entsu daishi, Shoshukokushi shinhitsu (Kannon, an authentic painting by Hakuin); the interior with a certification by Shiya Shoun (also known as Genpo Sohan, 1874-1922), Abbot of Daitokuji Temple; accompanied by a label recording that the present lot was exhibited in Kumamoto in 1970 (see below). Overall: 193cm x 42.2cm (76in x 16 5/8in); image: 114.5cm x 34.5cm (45in x 13½in). (3).