The Ten Ox Herding Pictures
Shoyeido Gallery, Kyoto
American Artist in Kyoto
by Kansai TV
A 30 minute documentary about American Sumi-e artist Michael Hofmann and his life in Kyoto, including his painting of a mural in a Zen temple.
It includes his study with Japanese master painter and Zen priest Jikihara Gyokusei. Shown on national TV in Japan, 1998
Abiko Kannon
Master sumi-e painter Jikihara Gyokusei paints a mural in a Buddhist temple in Osaka, Japan.
Commentary in English by his student and disciple Michael Hofmann.
Painting as a Spiritual Odyssey:
Confessions of an Itinerant Artist
One Hour Presentation at Brown University in Autumn 2013
Michael reveals both the aesthetic technique and spiritual lessons learned from his long apprenticeship with Japanese master brush (sumi-e) painter and Zen priest Jikihara Gyokusei. Through a combination of slides and video, Hofmann shares inspiring moments of his life and studies in Kyoto, including footage of his 91-year-old teacher painting a large mural in a Japanese temple.
Hal Roth, Professor of Religious Studies, gives a six minute introduction.
Paintings With Lives of Their Own
Japan Times article by Catherine Pawasarat
“In my eyes, the work that’s most successful comes as a gift. I may not even know it’s coming, or it may happen when I’ve given up.”
Transplanted Artist Settles In
Press Democrat article by Laurie Weed
“Artist Michael Hofmann spent nearly 40 years living in Japan before settling in Forestville.”
Michael Hofmann painting paper sliding doors (fusuma) at Green Gulch Farm Zen Center, Muir Beach, California
Learn more about Michael Hofmann at his Wikipedia page.