Kakemono Heart Sutra in Bold Kaisho Script, Blue Mounting

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Signature / Stamp:
Ishii Kōkei
Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
190 x 53 cm
Item number:
6502

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Ishii Kōkei and was a one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.

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Details about the sold piece

  • JikusakiWood
  • Material HonshiPaper
  • MotifBuddhism and Zen, Calligraphy
  • TechniqueHand-Painted
  • Wooden BoxYes

Description

Around 260 characters sum up the teaching of emptiness – the Heart Sutra, Hannya Shingyō, is one of the most frequently copied texts in Japan. This copy sets it in a clear, powerful Kaisho script: character by character, the strokes stand full and even in dense columns, from the title at the right edge to the closing mantra.

Copying sutras, known as Shakyō, is regarded in Buddhism as an exercise in concentration, and this calm also communicates itself to the viewer. A small red heading seal opens the text; at the left edge follow the date, summer 1982, and the signature of Ishii Kōkei with the formula “respectfully written” customary for sutra copies, confirmed by two seals.

The calligraphy is mounted in dark blue brocade with golden floral tendrils, surrounded on the outside by gold-coloured silk with a wave pattern; the jikusaki are made of wood, and a wooden box is included. At 190 cm in height, the scroll needs some wall height and unfolds a concentrated presence in an alcove, a meditation room or a peaceful study.

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