Ikkyu　―Glimpses of a Wild Spirit

Ikkyū Sōjun (1394–1481) was a Zen Buddhist monk of the Daitokuji branch of the Rinzai Sect, active during Japan’s Muromachi Era. Said to be the son of Emperor Go-Komatsu (1377–1433), Ikkyū entered a Zen monastery at a young age. After the death of Ken'ō Sōi in 1414 he studied under Kasō Sōdon (1352–1428), and although the master recognised that he had attained enlightenment, Ikkyū himself turned down formal certification, rejecting the attachment to worldly ambition and status that it represented. While maintaining a nonconformist, eccentric approach, he nonetheless devoted himself to the restoration of Daitokuji Temple, destroyed in the Ōnin War. His way of life and incisive poetry, unfettered by common norms, left a lasting mark well beyond the Zen sect, influencing the arts of later generations.

This exhibition features a range of works relating to Ikkyū, including the Important Cultural Property Verse for a Departing Monk – a calligraphy by the renowned Chinese Zen monk Xutang Zhiyu – and the painting Ikkyū Sōjun and Shinnyo, shown for the first time since it was restored with support from the Mitsubishi Foundation. Also on display are calligraphic works and Zen portrait paintings by Ikkyū’s teachers, disciples and contemporaries, alongside pieces featuring figures such as Hanshan and Shide, or Hotei, often associated with Zen eccentricity. We hope these will enable visitors to connect with Ikkyū’s spirit.

This year also marks the 130th anniversary of the birth of our museum's founder, Takayuki Masaki (1895-1985). To commemorate this, we present 'Takayuki's Aesthetic Vision’, where you can view works in the collection through the lens of the exhibitions he curated.

【Special Tea Ceremony】Reservation Required

Hosts: Makoto Ofune and Tanimatsuya Toda

11/8 sat.　11/9 sun.　
①10:00 ②12:00 ③14:00 ④16:00 ⑤18:00
※ The 6 p.m. event is on the 8th only

Six participants per event
Price: 10,000 yen (koicha, usucha – ‘thick’ and ‘thin’ tea served)
※ Includes exhibition entry
In a space created by Makoto Ofune, the Osaka tea-utensil dealer Tanimatsuya Toda has specially assembled and prepared the utensils for a series of small tea gatherings, each seating just six guests. In addition to superb examples of Momoyama-period tea ceramics, works from the Masaki Art Museum collection will also be on view. This is a very special opportunity to enjoy the interplay between the classical and the contemporary, through inspired artistic juxtapositions. You are warmly invited to take part.

【Traditional Japanese Tea Service】Please reserve a place

Experience the beautiful passage of time, drinking Japanese tea in a space created by Makoto Ofune.
11/11 tue.〜11/16 sun.
Price: 2,000 yen
※ Includes exhibition entry
Matcha and Japanese sweets included
Open till 7pm on 14th (Friday) and 15th (Saturday) Please enjoy the changing light as twilight falls.
◎ Tea service places can be reserved on the day, but sweets may be subject to change.

For the duration of these special events, only event participants may visit Masaki Memorial House. Please join the Special Tea Ceremony or Traditional Tea Service.

My artwork is open to the outer space while maintaining its own internal world as a painting.
In other words, my works coexist with every element of the surrounding space, including the light, sound, and the atmosphere.
In the collection of the Masaki Art Museum, I similarly sense the surroundings and the breath of that era.
Ikkyu Sojun’s presence lives on today.
The spirit connecting to wabi-cha is surely a part of this.
I hope that you will find all these elements flowing through your body.

Makoto Ofune