Crabs with calligraphy, Sokuhi Nyoitsu

Jifei Ruyi, or Sokuhi Nyoitsu (1616-1671).

Signed: Jifei mountain monk; with three seals of the artist.

Mid-17th century.

Painted area: 122.3 x 28.3 cm.; with mount: 212 x 46 cm.

Sydney L. Moss Ltd., eat this and drink some tea, 2014, p. 146-147, no. 27.

An ink painting on paper of crabs among reeds, mounted as a vertical

format hanging scroll, the artist’s inscription above his own painting.

一性虛閑百念停

剩得奴眼掛空青

By nature totally void and calm, the hundreds of

thoughts all terminated;

All that’s left is two servile eyes, hanging there, dark,

in emptiness.