Japanese Zen Calligraphy in Frame, 1960s

Hand-painted Japanese calligraphy on paper, executed in deep black sumi ink.

Dimensions: height 51 cm, width 42 cm, depth 3 cm.

In the centre is a single large kanji, painted in an expressive style. The powerful, flowing brushstrokes stand out beautifully against the soft, almost imperceptible floral motifs in the background. In the lower left corner the work is signed with a red artist’s seal (hanko) bearing the characters 希静 – a combination of “hope” and “calm”, presumably the artist’s name.

The calligraphy is professionally framed with a soft green textile passe-partout and a slim dark brown wooden frame. The frame shows slight signs of wear along the edges, but overall looks neat and in harmony with the understated character of the piece. The paper itself is in good condition, with a natural, even ageing.

As a wall piece, this calligraphy instantly brings a sense of stillness and focus into the room. It looks beautiful on its own in a hallway, above a desk or next to a bookcase, and pairs well with other Japanese objects, ceramics or minimalist art.

A timeless, meditative work that adds a subtle Japanese accent to any interior.