Ogawa Sen’yō (1882–1971)
Eight Immortals of Drinking
Japan, dated 1928
Hanging scroll; ink and color on paper
Gift of Terry Welch, 2021 (2021-03-073)
Traditional literati culture celebrated drinking alcohol as a symbol of individuality and eccentricity. The Eight Immortals of Drinking, made famous in a poem by Du Fu (712–770), were a group of luminaries in 8th century China who contributed to a cultural renaissance that had a lasting impact on East Asian civilization. For instance, Li Bai’s (701–762) poems are still taught in elementary school, and Zhang Xu’s (fl. 8th century) calligraphy remains the model for cursive script.
Sen’yō accompanies his figures with passages from Du Fu’s poem, allowing us to identify the figures as He Zhizhang (c. 659–744) in the lower right, riding a horse; Cui Zongzhi (d. 751), the beardless youth in the lower center; Li Bai in the lower left; Li Shizhi (fl. 8th century) stretched out across the middle of the composition like a “whale swallowing the hundred rivers”; Su Jin (fl. 8th century) sitting in meditation in the middle left; Jiao Sui (fl. 8th century) pontificating in the upper right; Zhang Xu writing calligraphy in the upper middle; and Li Jin (fl. 8th century) seated in the upper left.
Sen’yō’s distinctive loose style, influenced by Zen Buddhist ink painting and haiku-related sketches (see also Hayashi Buntō’s Scenes of Kyoto), is especially appropriate for the subject of this impressively large work. Sen’yō’s own life was characterized by a continuous passion for learning and experimentation, and he was admired as a later-day literati eccentric in the long tradition of the Eight Immortals of Drinking.
Du Fu, “Song of the Eight Immortals of Drinking”
He Zhizhang sways on his horse like a sailor,
When his eyes glaze and he falls into a well, he just sleeps in the water!
Li Jin has three mugs before audience with the emperor,
When he sees the chrysanthemum cart his mouth waters,
He regrets that he can’t change his appointment to the Brew Spring.
Li Shizhi spends ten thousand coins a day,
Drinking like a whale swallowing the hundred rivers,
Holding a cup in his mouth, he delights in drinking, saying he is “escaping the eminences.”
Cui Zongzhi is a handsome youth,
He raises the flask and his white eyes look to the blue heavens,
Striking as a jade tree in the wind.
Su Jin fasts in front of the Buddha,
But when he’s drinking he sneaks away from his meditation.
Li Bai has one drink and writes a hundred poems,
When he naps in a bar in the capital,
And the emperor’s summons comes, he refuses to get on the boat,
Replying “Your minister is a drunk immortal.”
Zhang Xu has three cups and his reputation as the Calligraphy Sage spreads,
He casts away his cap and exposes his head to the princes and dukes,
Guiding the brush across the paper like clouds, like smoke.
Jiao Sui has five mugs and then rises from the table,
His lofty pontifications startle the other patrons.
Further listening
Sen’yō’s painting is an illustration of the famous poem “Song of the Eight Immortals of Drinking” by the ancient poet Du Fu (712–770). The poem reads:
He Zhizhang sways on his horse like a sailor,
When his eyes glaze and he falls into a well, he just sleeps in the water!
Li Jin has three mugs before audience with the emperor,
When he sees the chrysanthemum cart his mouth waters,
He regrets that he can’t change his appointment to the Brew Spring.
Li Shizhi spends ten thousand coins a day,
Drinking like a whale swallowing the hundred rivers,
Holding a cup in his mouth, he delights in drinking, saying he is “escaping the eminences.”
Cui Zongzhi is a handsome youth,
He raises the flask, and his white eyes look to the blue heavens,
Striking as a jade tree in the wind.
Su Jin fasts in front of the Buddha,
But when he’s drinking, he sneaks away from his meditation.
Li Bai has one drink and writes a hundred poems,
When he naps in a bar in the capital,
And the emperor’s summons comes, he refuses to get on the boat,
Replying “Your minister is a drunk immortal.”
Zhang Xu has three cups and his reputation as the Calligraphy Sage spreads,
He casts away his cap and exposes his head to the princes and dukes,
Guiding the brush across the paper like clouds, like smoke.
Jiao Sui has five mugs and then rises from the table,
His lofty pontifications startle the other patrons.