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Friends,

Thank you kindly for all interesting information. I have an enso by Seigan Soi 清巌宗渭 (1588-1661) and I cannot read the inscription.

All the very best!

Stefan

My reading of the inscription,

僧云　不失時如何
徳云　還我珠來
清巌老拙宗渭書

Sō　iwaku, ikan ni toki wa ushinawazu
Toku iwaku, waga tama ittai kuru no

Monk says; How do you keep your time
Virtue says; Will my pearl come back to me

Calligraphy of Seigan Sōi the Old Man
Seal,
清巌　-　Seigan

This is a Zen mondo (question and answer) - an exchange of sentences that do not make much sense for outsiders - at least at the first sight.

With regards,
I.Nagy

Thank you so very much for taking the time to look at the inscription and for sharing your knowledge. I am most grateful!

I only have a rudimentary knowledge of Chinese and some "Zen Japanese" so this is most helpful.

Another enso is included by KOGETSU SOGAN 江月宗玩 (1574-1643). There are appraisal papers by Kosai Okura 大倉汲水 (1795-1863)(I think), a professional appraiser serving the Kishu Tokugawa family.

All the very best!

Stefan

second is a nice antique hanging scroll.

for the first enso meaning might refer to a rosary.
僧云　不 no 失 mark 時 time 如何 how
徳云　還 return 我 my 珠 bead 來 come

so:
priest: without a mark, how (to know) the time? / virtue: when my bead returns (to me)
now can you reflect better on this?

peter

Again many thanks also to Peter for the interesting interpretation. I indeed enjoy the input and your knowledge!

I add yet another enso attributed to Takuan Soho and if anyone feels inclined to have a go at the inscription, it is much appreciated.

This enso, and the previous, belong to a collection with some 400 Japanese enso/circles by some 300 artists, located in Sweden.

All the very best to you!

Stefan

Some more images from the enso by KOGETSU SOGAN 江月宗玩 (1574-1643).

Blessings!

Stefan

Here is my rough translation of the inscriptions,

藍田美貌長苗根重受陪陽
雨露恩瓊樹枝々未磨礱無
端照耀乾坤
寛永十八辛巳稔口則如意珠日
前大徳江月叟宗玩書

On the indigo-plant field the beautiful high seedlings repeatedly benefit from the grace of
sun, rain and dew.
The branches of this fairy plants until they are not crushed in a mortar endlessly emit their shiny
lights into the universe.
In the 18th Year of Kanei era's Metal-Snake Year (1641) on the Day when the Jewel Fulfills　Your Wishes as You Wish.
Calligraphy by Kōgetsu Sōgan the Old Man of the Former Daitoku Temple
Seal,
江月　-　Kōgetsu

Inscription on the corresponding slab (last picture),
江月和尚　-　Kōgetsu oshō　- Kōgetsu the priest
藍田美貌　-　Randen bibō　 - Indigo-field,　beauties
円窓人物畫　- *Ensō　jinbutsu-ga - Round window,
figure painting
Seal,
存古　-　Sonko

*(Here the Ensō "円相”(circular form) is written mistaken or intentionaly "円窓" (round window)

With regards,
I.Nagy

How interesting to see the inscription translated. It is poetically beautiful and comes to life in a luminous way.

Many thanks and warm greetings indeed, for taking the time and sharing precious knowledge. It is a gift!

All the very best!

Stefan

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