A university professor and not a monk, Awakawa nonetheless collected and closely studied Zen paintings, for a time under the tutelage of Nantenbō. The playful, loose brushwork and slightly comical treatment of Daruma, who is shown whipping a ritual fly whisk, are reminiscent of Sengai, whose work Awakawa also knew well, as the professor published one of the first English-language books on Zen paintings.

                       

—Bradley Bailey