The practice of going out to beg for alms—known in Japanese as takuhatsu 托鉢—is a common tradition among Buddhist monastic communities. It serves as a reminder of Buddhism’s origins and highlights the importance of generosity toward all sentient beings. Nantenbō himself engaged in takuhatsu on multiple occasions and also undertook pilgrimages to various Buddhist temples.

During the last thirty years of his life, Nantenbō produced a large body of paintings and calligraphies that became a means of expressing his insight into the nature of Zen. Among his recurring themes were depictions of mendicant monks, many versions of which are now held in different collections.

This particular work was created when he was 83 years old. It features several hallmarks of his style: the fluid strokes of the cursive script and the expressive use of ink in the monks’ robes, where variations in the density of the brushwork create rich textures.