Exhibition: ΄The Sound of Silence:Zen Painting΄

(Museum of Asian Art) Corfu Museum of Asian Art invites you on a journey of reflection and inner peace, offering a deep insight into the world of Zen. The temporary exhibition “The Sound of Silence: Zen Painting” presents to the public for the first time rare Japanese hanging scrolls (kakemono), folding screens from the Edo period (1600–1868), and editions featuring samples of handmade Japanese paper. The artworks, dating from the 15th to the 19th century, compellingly reveal how Zen Buddhism inspired Japanese art—especially painting—transforming it into a medium of expression and spiritual exploration.

Zen is a school of Buddhism that focuses on enlightenment through meditation.
At the heart of Zen practice lies zazen—seated meditation—which strengthens the spirit and leads to awakening and enlightenment. Since the 7th century, Zen philosophy entered Japan, primarily influencing the Samurai class, and later spreading into literature and the arts, offering new spiritual and aesthetic dimensions.

Zen painting developed during the Muromachi period (1392–1573) and is closely linked to the meditative practices of monks seeking enlightenment.
The brushstrokes are marked by austere yet dynamic simplicity, with monochrome depictions exuding an air of spiritual insight and inquiry. Through the works of this era, visitors can perceive the connection between Zen and painting: the line is the heart of the art, and enlightenment is its ultimate goal.

The exhibition features works from the suiboku-ga school (15th century), as well as pieces by Hakuin Ekaku, the reviver of Zen painting in Japan during the Edo period (1600–1868).
Through his depictions—featuring Daruma (the founder of Zen) and works including koans (meditative riddles)—Hakuin demonstrates that Zen art is not merely an aesthetic form but a path to spiritual growth. These works challenge the viewer’s thinking and encourage the discovery of deeper meanings behind seemingly simple images.

Additionally, the exhibition includes the work “The Moon over the Waves” by the artist Katsushika Hokusai, known for “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.”
Hokusai experiments with Zen aesthetics. Through simplicity of line, intense reference to the natural landscape, and portrayal of dynamic movement, he presents nature not just as a theme, but as a spiritual entity that shapes human life. Zen art sees the self in absolute connection with the natural world, inviting the viewer to disconnect from the external and focus on inner stillness.

The exhibition concludes with an interactive representation of a conservation workshop for Japanese hanging scrolls (kakemono)—a highly specialised process that ensures the preservation of the works, thus contributing to the continuation of their spiritual and artistic value for future generations.

The exhibition “Zen Painting: The Sound of Silence” is organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Corfu Museum of Asian Art, under the auspices of the Embassy of Japan and the Ionian Islands Regional Authority.

Dates: July 7 – December 31, 2025

Photo: Museum of Asian Art