Cover art · reading
Hanshan and Shide
Ike Taiga (Japanese, 1723–1776), c. 1745–76.
Using it on a cover
The print file prints up to 3.8 x 11.3 in at 300 ppi — fine for smaller trims or inset artwork, but too small to fill a 6 x 9 in cover at 300 ppi. Taller than a 6 x 9 cover: crop about 49% of the height.
About the work
Hanshan and Shide are a pair of individuals associated with Chan, or Zen, Buddhism who lived on Mount Tiantai in China around the 700s to early 800s. In Japan, their names are read Kanzan and Jittoku. Hanshan, whose name means “Cold Mountain,” was a monk-poet, shown reading out from a scroll of his poetry in this work. His close friend Shide, or “Foundling,” was a temple’s custodian. Here, Shide listens intently to Hanshan’s verses, his brush broom behind him.
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Sources & data
- Artwork data and images from the Cleveland Museum of Art Open Access API (CC0).