Kakemono Zen Calligraphy "Emptiness"

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Signature / Stamp:
Megumi Hayashi
Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
145 x 73 cm
Item number:
5953

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Megumi Hayashi 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

A single, powerfully rendered character dominates this kakemono: 無 (Mu), which translates as "emptiness" or "nothingness" and is one of the central concepts of Zen Buddhism.

The calligraphy was created by Megumi Hayashi, a monk of the Rinzai Zen school, whose brushwork radiates remarkable tension and inner calm despite the small number of strokes. Such single-character calligraphies, known as ichiji-kanji, are among the most demanding forms of expression in Zen art, as every stroke is irrevocable and reveals the state of mind of the writer at the moment of writing.

The work is delivered including a wooden box and is an impressive testament to the close connection between calligraphy and meditation, as cultivated in Zen monasteries over centuries.

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