A Monk’s Vision: The Life and Landscapes of Chu-jan Chu-jan, also known as juran, remains a figure shrouded in the mists of Chinese art history—a testament to the often elusive details surrounding artists from the transitional Five Dynasties and early Northern Song periods. Born sometime in the 10th century in Chiang-Ning (modern Nanjing), his life was deeply interwoven with the political upheavals that characterized this era. While his family name remains unknown, we know he embraced a monastic life at the K’ai-yuan Temple, initially dedicating himself to painting the serene beauty of the s…