SHP159 - Japan Shikishi Print of a Tamed Ox 馴牛圖

This vintage shikishi (色紙) artwork print depicts a traditional 馴牛圖 (じゅんぎゅうず / Jun-gyūzu), “Picture of a Tamed Ox.” It shows a cheerful child riding atop a large ox, holding a flute while the animal calmly walks forward. The painting is executed in delicate sumi-e (ink wash) style, with fluid brushstrokes that bring out the ox’s strength and the innocence of the child. This imagery is closely connected to Zen iconography, particularly the Ten Ox-Herding Pictures (十牛図), which symbolize stages of self-discipline and enlightenment. The calligraphic inscription, which reads: “Peacefully playing the flute, the picture of a tamed ox.” Symbolism of the Ox, the ox is no longer wild; it follows calmly, or the boy rides it while playing a flute. This represents the practitioner achieving inner peace, harmony, and freedom. The mind is no longer an obstacle but a companion on the path. It depicts one of the most joyful and peaceful moments of this journey, a boy riding the ox, playing a flute. It embodies the idea of living with serenity, enjoying the present moment, and expressing Zen through everyday life. This piece embodies tranquility, harmony with nature, and spiritual cultivation, making it not only an elegant decorative work but also one with deep Zen connotations. Size: 24 x 27cm#SHP159#ShikishiKYO· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.