Japanese Zen Kakejiku 禅語 – Black Ink Calligraphy – Fukumoto Sekiō 福本積應 – Daitoku-ji, Kyoto

Features

• Subject: Zen calligraphy, Zengo 禅語
• Inscription: 松無古今色 Matsu mu kokon iro
• Translation: "The color of the pine does not change through the ages"
• Technique: Black ink calligraphy, sumi 墨
• Medium: Japanese washi paper 和紙
• Work: Nikuhitsu 肉筆, hand-calligraphed, not printed
• Artist: Fukumoto Sekiō 福本積應 signed 前大徳積應 Zen Daitoku Sekiō
• School: Rinzai Zen 臨済宗, Daitoku-ji 大徳寺 tradition from Kyoto
• Estimated Period: Japan, second half of the 20th century, discovered in Hiroshima prefecture
• Mounting: Traditional hyōsō 表装, silk mounting
• Roller ends: Black lacquered jikusaki 軸先
• Box: Original inscribed kiribako / tomobako wooden box
• Dimensions:
  • Height: 172 cm
  • Width: 30.5 cm
  • Height of honshi with calligraphy: 100 cm

Description

Very beautiful Japanese kakejiku/kakemono, signed Fukumoto Sekiō 福本積應, a Rinzai Zen monk bearing the honorary title of Zen Daitoku 前大徳, a sign of very high religious rank within the prestigious tradition of Daitoku-ji 大徳寺 in Kyoto.

This is a chagake 茶掛, a calligraphy intended to be hung in the tokonoma 床の間 (alcove of Japanese rooms), especially in the world of chanoyu 茶の湯, the Japanese tea ceremony.

The inscription reads 松無古今色, Matsu mu kokon iro. This is a profound and very beautiful Zen expression. It suggests that the "color" (the nature, life, truth) of the pine is timeless. It does not change with the ages: the pine is the symbol of eternity that transcends the very notion of time. There is no different "color" for yesterday, today, or tomorrow; truth is constant. This Zengo 禅語 (Zen proverb) expresses both the permanence, fundamental equality, and visible differences of the world.

The calligraphy is done by hand in black sumi ink on washi paper. The brushstroke is broad, powerful, and lively, typical of Zen writing where the energy of the gesture is as important as the shape of the characters.

The mounting is sober and elegant: green silk, embroidered blue frame with vegetal motifs, white and gold ichimonji 一文字 with pine motif, and decorative fūtai 風帯.

The Artist

Fukumoto Sekiō 福本積應, born in Kyoto in 1930, is a Zen monk of the Rinzai 臨済宗 school and one of the contemporary great names in Zen calligraphy related to the tea ceremony. Now over 90 years old, he is particularly sought after for his chagake 茶掛, these calligraphies intended for the tokonoma in the world of chanoyu.

He holds the honorary title of Zen Daitoku 前大徳, which signifies a very high religious rank within the prestigious tradition of Daitoku-ji 大徳寺 in Kyoto. Daitoku-ji is one of the most famous centers of Japanese Zen, a major temple of the Rinzai school, intimately linked to the history of the tea ceremony and great tea masters like Sen no Rikyū.

This kakejiku is therefore not a simple decorative calligraphy: it is an authentic chagake, hand-drawn by a very high-ranking Zen monk from one of Kyoto's most prestigious temples.

Condition

Excellent vintage overall condition. The calligraphy, washi paper, silk mounting, fūtai, jikusaki, and box are very well preserved.

🦝 We love

We really like the quiet strength of this calligraphy. The message here is of great subtlety: "For the pine, there is no color of the past or present." A deeply Zen thought that invites us to transcend notions of time, to anchor ourselves in the pure moment, and to remain, like the tree, immutable and true to its own nature.

We love its signature by Fukumoto Sekio, a high-ranking monk from a sublime temple complex in magnificent Kyoto!

For lovers of Japan, tea, and Zen spirituality, this is a true reference piece. An authentic chagake, hand-calligraphed!