{"title":"Unkoku Togan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"portrait-of-daruma-unkoku-togan","title":"Portrait of Daruma - Unkoku Tōgan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic Zen ink painting by Unkoku Tōgan, depicting the profile of Bodhidharma with expressive, calligraphic brushwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ink painting by Unkoku Tōgan depicts Bodhidharma, the semi-legendary monk credited with bringing Zen Buddhism to China. Tōgan, who founded the Unkoku school of painting, was heavily influenced by the style of Sesshū Tōyō. This work reflects the aesthetic values of the Momoyama period, where ink wash techniques were used to convey spiritual presence through minimal visual information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe composition is sparse, focusing entirely on the profile of the figure. Tōgan uses calligraphic brushwork to define the contours of the face, the heavy brow, and the beard. The ink varies in density, creating a sense of volume and texture despite the lack of colour. The figure is shown in a state of meditation, a common subject for Zen practitioners who sought to capture the essence of the subject rather than a realistic likeness. The negative space surrounding the figure is intentional, inviting the viewer to contemplate the emptiness that is central to Zen philosophy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnkoku Tōgan served as a painter for the Mōri clan, and his work often displays the technical rigour associated with professional painters of the era. The brushstrokes are deliberate and controlled, showing the influence of Chinese Southern Song dynasty ink painting. The portrait is presented as a hanging scroll, a format that dictates the vertical orientation of the composition. The simplicity of the subject matter contrasts with the technical skill required to execute the lines with such precision. This print captures the subtle tonal shifts of the original ink, preserving the monochromatic quality that defines the work. It is a study in restraint, where the artist communicates the gravity of the subject through the economy of line and tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/memory-of-a-voyage-rene-magritte\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eMemory of a Voyage - René Magritte — René Magritte\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/nakamura-utaemon-iv-as-a-warrior-standing-in-the-snow-shunbaisai-hokuei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eNakamura Utaemon IV as a Warrior Standing in the Snow - Shunbaisai Hokuei — Shunbaisai Hokuei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unkoku Tōgan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807481925967,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807518626127,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807518658895,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807518691663,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807518724431,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807518757199,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807518789967,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807518822735,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807518855503,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807518888271,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807518921039,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807518953807,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Portrait-of-Daruma_Poster_CompositorV1_1789662848641.jpg?v=1789663367"},{"product_id":"priest-xianzi-unkoku-togan","title":"Priest Xianzi - Unkoku Tōgan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA classic sumi-e ink painting by Unkoku Tōgan depicting the eccentric Chan Buddhist monk Xianzi with his catch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ink painting depicts the Chan Buddhist figure Xianzi, a monk known for his unconventional behaviour and his habit of catching shrimp. Unkoku Tōgan, a painter active during the Momoyama period, employs the sumi-e technique to capture the essence of the subject through minimal brushwork. The composition focuses on the monk as he holds a shrimp aloft, his expression one of focused amusement. The artist uses varying ink tones to define the folds of the robes and the contours of the figure, while the background remains largely empty, a characteristic feature of Zen-influenced art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTōgan was a follower of the Sesshū Tōyō tradition, and this influence is visible in the bold, calligraphic lines and the economy of form. The figure of Xianzi is rendered with a sense of spontaneity, reflecting the monk's own rejection of rigid social norms. The painting serves as a visual representation of the sudden enlightenment often associated with Chan Buddhism, where mundane activities like fishing become vehicles for spiritual realisation. The use of negative space allows the viewer to focus entirely on the interaction between the monk and his catch, stripping away unnecessary detail to reveal the subject's character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs a museum-grade fine art print, this piece retains the subtle gradations of the original ink wash. The paper texture is carefully preserved to ensure the authenticity of the reproduction. This work is suitable for those who appreciate the historical depth of Japanese ink painting and the minimalist aesthetic of the Momoyama era. It provides a quiet, contemplative addition to a space, inviting reflection on the simplicity of the subject matter and the skill required to execute such a fluid, expressive image with only ink and brush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/actor-ichikawa-komazo-standing-beside-a-shinto-shrine-with-chrysanthemums-ippitsusai-buncho\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eActor Ichikawa Komazō Standing Beside a Shinto Shrine with Chrysanthemums - Ippitsusai Bunchō — Ippitsusai Bunchô\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/seven-sages-of-the-bamboo-grove-sesson-shukei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eSeven Sages of the Bamboo Grove - Sesson Shūkei — Sesson Shukei\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unkoku Tōgan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807880483151,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807962829135,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807962861903,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807962894671,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807962927439,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807962960207,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807962992975,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807963025743,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807963058511,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58807963091279,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58807963124047,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58807963156815,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Priest-Xianzi_Poster_CompositorV1_1789666603190.jpg?v=1789666987"},{"product_id":"landscape-of-the-four-seasons-unkoku-togan","title":"Landscape of the Four Seasons - Unkoku Tōgan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA six-panel screen painting by Unkoku Tōgan, featuring a serene coastal scene rendered in traditional Japanese ink wash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnkoku Tōgan was a painter of the Momoyama period who established the Unkoku school. He studied the works of Sesshū Tōyō, adopting the style of ink wash painting known as suiboku-ga. This work displays the characteristic use of negative space and controlled brushwork that defines the school. The composition spans six panels, creating a wide view of a mountainous coastal region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn this scene, the artist employs varying ink tones to suggest distance and atmosphere. The foreground features rocky outcrops and architectural elements, rendered with firm, decisive strokes. As the eye moves towards the background, the forms become softer and more ethereal, suggesting the presence of mist or distance. The inclusion of small figures and boats provides a sense of scale, grounding the grander natural forms in human activity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis type of screen painting was designed for the interiors of castles and temples. The monochromatic palette relies on the subtle interplay of light and shadow, rather than colour, to convey the mood of the changing seasons. The artist balances the density of the rock formations with the openness of the water, maintaining a sense of harmony across the entire width of the piece. The brushwork remains disciplined throughout, reflecting the technical rigour expected of a master in the tradition of Sesshū. This print captures the quietude of the original, preserving the delicate tonal shifts of the ink wash on paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-poet-mibu-no-tadamine-iwasa-matabei\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eThe Poet Mibu no Tadamine - Iwasa Matabei — Iwasa Matabē\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/act-ten-from-the-series-treasury-of-loyal-retainers-katsukawa-shunsho\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eAct Ten from the series Treasury of Loyal Retainers - Katsukawa Shunshō — Katsukawa Shunshō\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unkoku Tōgan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807977443663,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58808005755215,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58808005787983,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808005820751,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808005853519,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808005886287,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808005919055,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808005951823,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808005984591,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808006017359,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808006050127,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808006082895,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Landscape-of-the-Four-Seasons_Poster_CompositorV1_1789666694136.jpg?v=1789667326"},{"product_id":"bodhidharma-unkoku-togan","title":"Bodhidharma - Unkoku Tōgan","description":"\u003cp\u003eA traditional ink-wash painting of Bodhidharma by the Japanese master Unkoku Tōgan, capturing the monk in a meditative, minimalist style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis ink painting by Unkoku Tōgan depicts Bodhidharma, the semi-legendary monk credited with bringing Chan Buddhism to China. Tōgan, a painter active during the Momoyama period, was a follower of the Unkoku school, which drew heavy inspiration from the ink-wash techniques of the Muromachi-period master Sesshū Tōyō. The work reflects the aesthetic of Zen, where simplicity and economy of line convey spiritual depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe figure of Bodhidharma is rendered with a focus on his profile, his form wrapped in a heavy, dark robe that occupies the majority of the composition. The artist uses varying densities of ink to suggest the texture of the fabric, while the face is defined by sharper, more precise brushwork. The monk's expression is one of intense concentration, a hallmark of his traditional iconography. The inclusion of calligraphy in the upper section provides a textual counterpoint to the visual image, a common practice in East Asian hanging scrolls where the poem and the painting function as a unified whole.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnkoku Tōgan spent much of his career in Yamaguchi, where he studied the works of Sesshū. His style is characterised by a disciplined approach to ink application, often favouring bold, decisive strokes over decorative detail. This specific depiction of Bodhidharma avoids unnecessary ornamentation, allowing the viewer to focus on the monk's posture and the stark contrast between the dark ink of the robes and the lighter tone of the paper. The scroll format, with its vertical orientation, dictates the viewer's engagement, encouraging a slow, meditative observation of the brushwork and the negative space surrounding the figure. This piece is a representative example of the ink-wash tradition that defined much of the religious art produced in Japan during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top:2rem;padding-top:1.5rem;border-top:1px solid #e5e5e5;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:0.85rem;color:#888;font-weight:600;margin:0 0 0.75rem;text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:0.05em;\"\u003eYou might also like\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:0.5rem;\"\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/set-of-three-paintings-of-rocks-shokado-shojo\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eSet of Three Paintings of Rocks - Shōkadō Shōjō — Shōkadō Shōjō\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sake-cups-for-a-new-year-s-toast-ryuryukyo-shinsai\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#f8f9fa;border:1px solid #e5e5e5;border-radius:20px;padding:0.35rem 0.85rem;font-size:0.8rem;color:#2a555a;font-weight:500;text-decoration:none !important;background-image:none !important;\"\u003eSake Cups for a New Year’s Toast - Ryūryūkyo Shinsai — Ryūryūkyo Shinsai\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unkoku Tōgan","offers":[{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ -","offer_id":58807989633359,"sku":null,"price":28.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58808007557455,"sku":null,"price":35.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Poster \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ -","offer_id":58808007590223,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808007622991,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808007655759,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A4 (21x29.7 cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808007688527,"sku":null,"price":45.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808007721295,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808007754063,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A3 (29.7 x 42  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808007786831,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Black frame","offer_id":58808007819599,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Wood frame","offer_id":58808007852367,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Fine Art Framed \/ A2 (42 x 59.4  cm) \/ Dark wood frame","offer_id":58808007885135,"sku":null,"price":90.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0833\/9292\/1935\/files\/Bodhidharma_Poster_CompositorV1_1789667215908.jpg?v=1789667482"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.solisprints.com\/collections\/unkoku-togan.oembed","provider":"Solis Prints","version":"1.0","type":"link"}