Gesshin — a title that may refer to a lunar deity, a specific Buddhist figure associated with the moon, or a concept related to the moon-mind relationship in Zen thought — appears in this 1937 print from Munakata's landmark year of Buddhist imagery. The moon in Japanese religious and poetic culture has always been a figure for enlightenment — its clear, cold light illuminating without warming, reflecting the sun's light without being the sun itself — and Gesshin as a sacred subject would place Munakata squarely within this rich tradition of lunar spiritual imagery.
1960
Woodblock print
Shôwa period, 1926-1989
Woodblock print
1939-68
Woodblock print
1939 (printed 1955)
Woodblock print
Kamakura Daibutsu
1930
Color woodblock print
1950
Color woodblock print
大仏
Woodblock print
1926
Color woodblock print; oban
Curated cross-cuts that include this print.
Gesshin was created by Shiko Munakata (棟方志功) in 1937.
Gesshin depicts religious, mythology, and moonlight.