Book Description
Seeing Zen presents 127 of the finest Zenga (Zen artwork) selected from the renowned Kaeru-An (“Frog Hut”) Collection. The 560-piece collection was assembled by Dr. Felix Hess, a scientist and sound artist, noted for his recordings of Australian frog choruses. There are 91 paintings and 33 calligraphies presented in full-color, high quality illustrations and extended captions. Each entry has a detailed description that includes the original Japanese characters, an English translation, and commentary. Seeing Zen includes heretofore unpublished art work by major Zen artists such as Ikkyu, Fugai, Takuan, Mokuan, Jozan, Hakuin, Sengai, Jiun, Gocho, Suio, Torei, Rengetsu, Tesshu, and Nantenbo. An extensive section on Artists’ Biographies is appended.
About the Authors
John Stevens is a Zen priest and was professor of Buddhist studies and Aikido instructor at Tohoku Fukushi University in Japan, where he lived for 35 years. Stevens is the author of over 40 books on Zen artists, their poetry, painting, and calligraphy, as well as on Aikido, swordsmanship, and other Japanese martial art
traditions.
Felix Hess, born in the Netherlands, has a PhD in physics and mathematics. He spent some years in Australia researching a variety of subjects, including boomerangs and frogs, which led him toward creating art installations based on sound and movement. “The singing frogs taught me just to sit still in silence and listen.”