Council recommends Sesshu painting be named national treasure

TOKYO, Japan - The Cultural Council advised the culture minister on March 19 to designate a painting by Sesshu (in photo released by the council), a famed Japanese painter in the 15th century, as national treasures along with three other historic artworks. Sesshu, a monk known as master of ink and brush, created the painting titled ''Hui Ke Offering His Arm to Bodhidharma'' at the age of 77 in 1496. Hui Ke was a pupil of Bodhidharma who initiated Zen Buddhism. The painting is now at Sainenji Temple in Aichi Prefecture. (Kyodo)