THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2003
NEWS
...
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 5A
The written word as a form of art
Zen Master entertains during his 15th annual University visit
By Lauren Bristow
lbristow@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
While demonstrating ink and brush calligraphy, Zen Master Fukushima Keido Roshi entertained nearly 100 people at the Spencer Museum of Art with witty remarks and stories of past university visits.
During yesterday's demonstration, the Roshi, with the help of a translator, described each calligraphy piece after its completion. He retold a story about a visit at another university while describing his work, "Hey, What is This."
"When I said 'Hey, What is This', a student at a previous university said, 'A doughnut," the Roshi said.
The piece features a large Zen circle at the top of a white piece of paper followed by characters and seals.
With his eyes closed, the Roshi would meditate briefly before mimicking his brush strokes in the air. He would then methodically ink a brush and draw the characters and finish using red-inked seals.
The Roshi completed 10 pieces of calf.
ligraphy during the two hour demonstration and answered questions from audience members during two question and answer periods. The Roshi told audience members of his love of coffee and chocolate, about his life growing up in Japan, and how calligraphy is a part of his life as the head abbot of the Tofuku Temple in Kyoto, Japan.
"It's fascinating to watch him and to speak with him," said Stan Haehl, a University of Kansas employee. "I've seen Roshi's demonstration for the past three years."
This was the Roshi's 15th annual visit to the University of Kansas. His first visit was in 1989 in conjunction with the museum exhibit, Art of Zen.
"He influenced everyone because most of us had very little knowledge of Zen," said Andrea Norris, director of the Spencer Museum of Art. "He talks about Zen Buddhism and Japanese life in a way that we didn't realize existed."
Sam Knowlton. Lawrence freshman, heard about the demonstration during his Aikido class.
"It just sounded really interesting," Knowlton said. "I've heard people in the past say that it was pretty incredible,
"He influenced everyone because most of us had very little knowledge of Zen."
Andrea Norris
Andrea Norris director of the Spencer Museum of Art
so I came."
As head abbot of the Tofuku Temple, the Roshi is head of 370 temples and a powerful person in Japan, Norris said during the Roshi's introduction. Two examples of his work are part of the museum's permanent collection and one was displayed behind the work area where the demonstration was held.
During this year's visit, the Roshi spoke to East Asian and religious studies classes, as well as conducting meditative Zen settings. He will conclude his visit with a lecture, "Zen and Bridge," at 7 tonight at the auditorium in Spencer Museum.
His lecture will most likely be about Zen Buddhism which he will connect to his love of bridges, Norris said.
The Roshi will visit 32 universities during his travels this year.
Scott Reynolds/Kansan
- Edited by Brandon Gay
Calligraphy by Zen Master Fukushima Keido Roshi is displayed after a demonstration yesterday at the Spencer Museum of Art. Roshi, from Kyoto, Japan, is the leader of the Tufukui-ji sect of Rinzai Zen and is in charge of over 300 temples in Japan. He will demonstrate again at 7 tonight in the museum.
cds (this year alone): $300
finding out there's an internship for people like you: priceless
- purchase associate * ULL award student with full university program * ULL 44.69 FMB 1 week semester. Contact upon enrolment to complete application. 18-35 days, and ULL awards. Course # ULL 44.13. Application apply for Office of Bilingual and Comprehensive Services.
Apply for a summer internship with Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records at mastercard.com. You could be sent to Nashville, where you'll spend five weeks learning from industry bigwigs. You might even be flown to LA to work on the Jurassic 5 album Power in Numbers there are some things money can't buy. for everything else there's MasterCard.
7th & Florida NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2003
Studios, 1BR, 2BR
3 BR w/ 2 baths &
4 BR w/ 2 baths
- Furnished Apt. Available
• Gas heat & water
• Fully equipped kitchens including microwaves
• W/D in select Apts
• Private balconies & patios
• On-site laundry facility
• Pool
• On KU bus route
• On-site Manager
* 24 hr. emergency Maintenance
Models Open Daily!
For more information call
785-841-5255
Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sat. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m
Hanover Place Apartments
Now Pre-Leasing for Fall 2003!
- Fully applianced
- kitchen w/microwave
laboratory & facilities
- Laundry facilities
- Private off street parking
- Central Heat and Air
- Walk-in closets
- Garages
- Fireplaces
- Washer/Dryer hookups
- Walk to K.U.
- On-site Manager
- 24 hour emergency maintenance
14th & Mass.
(785) 841-1212
Hours:
9-5 M-F
EHO
2.
A