In Japan, the most common form of brushwork for calligraphers in general, and Zen artists in particular, is ichigyo sho, "one-line calligraphies." These are poetic phrases or Zen sayings, usually consisting of five to seven characters, written vertically on a hanging scroll. The next most popular theme for Zen calligraphers is ichiji-kan, "one-word barriers." That is, a single large character brushed as a visual koan . The large character—for example, MU (nothingness), ICHI (one), KAN (barrier)—either stands on its own or has an accompanying inscription written in smaller characters. These scrolls are usually horizontal. Couplets or longer three-line calligraphies are rare in Zen art, but two- or three-character compositions are popular in both the vertical and horizontal format. Myogo, the "incantatory name" of a Buddhist, Shinto, or folk deity is often seen in Zen art, as are talismanic calligraphies with the character for DRAGON. In the case of calligraphy with many characters, Obaku Zen calligraphers enjoyed brushing original poems in classical Chinese, while Rinzai and Soto Zen artists more typically quoted from the sutras or sayings of a master. In Zen art, haiku or waka (Japanese-style poetry) are often used as inscriptions on paintings but rarely as just calligraphy alone. Even for experts, Zen calligraphy is often hard to decipher, but the vitality and dynamic flow of brush strokes created by a Zen master can be impressive, inspiring, and appealing even if the characters cannot be read at first. Click on a scroll below for detailed scroll information. Join our mailing list to receive notification of website updates. Big Dragon by Jade Hill (1786-1881) Dragon Brushed by Gyokko of Hoen[-ji]. ID: 150 Haiku by Santoka Taneda (1882-1940) Tipsy, Tipsy Drunk Tree Leaves Fall ID: 226 Calligraphy by Watanabe Kunmi (1891-1973) RYU SHIN (DRAGON GOD) ID: 92 Virtue Has Friends by Nakamura Tempu (1876-1968) Virtue has friends. (signed) 1962, Tempu ID: 125 Calligraphy by D.T. Suzuki (Suzuki Daisetsu) (1870-1976) KOKORO (HEART, MIND, CENTER) (signed) Daisetsu ID: 97 Calligraphy by Toyama Mineo (1876-1951) Utilize the Spiritual Power ID: 277 Cranes by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2105 Dragon Calligraphy by Dainin Kando (1800-1870) DRAGON Sings clouds arrive! Brushed by Kando. ID: 100 Dream by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 2014 Elements by Takeda Mokurai (1854-1930) Heaven is high, all elements are in order. ID: 132 Fan by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2107 Flower by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 2013 Flower Calligraphy by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) FLOWER Like a FLOWER BLOOM All people of the world! (sealed) SO EN ID: 3 Fudo Myoo by Gocho (1749-1835) ID: 2114 Hearth by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2104 Kaze Wind by Yamamoto Gempo (1886-1961) Wind (KAZE) ID: 207 One-Line Calligraphy by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2106 Pine Cloud by Tatebe Kaiun (1897-1984) Pine Cloud ID: 278 Rakuju by Tatebe Kaiun (1897-1984) ID: 282 Shojin by Hirokawa Kozen (1905-1967) Effort ID: 2009 Take The Best! by Fukusada Mugai (1881-1943) Take the Best! (dated) Metal/Ram Year (1931), June (signed) Rinno [Abbot] Mugai ID: 124 Ume by Akino Kodo (1858-1934) ID: 244 Yume by Tatebe Kaiun (1897-1984) Yume ID: 279 "Dance" Calligraphy by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) DANCE— (sealed) Soen ID: 39 Buddha by Obaku Kosen (1633-1695) ID: 2050 "Home" Calligraphy by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) HOME Wherever I go My HOME is here This Boar Year!... (sealed) SO EN ID: 102 Calligraphy by Enami Soken (1903-1971) Doshin (Mind for the Way) (signed) Daigyoman Soken (kao) ID: 76 100 Battles Calligraphy by Sugawara Jiho (1866-1956) One hundred victories in one hundred battles does not equal one single act of restraint ID: 241 Fan by Yamamoto Gempo (1886-1961) ID: 300 3 Line Calligraphy by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2138 Just This by Yamamoto Shujun (d. 1995) Nyoze (Just This) Brushed by Shujun, abbot of Mount Takao. ID: 75 3 scroll set by Ohira Zenzo (1874-1952) Don't Know Hidden Deep Inside is Nirvana This is the Truth ID: 268 Ajikan Magic Seed Syllable by Jiun Sonja (1718-1804) ID: 2136 All Things Return To the One by Daien Kono Sokan (1901-1970) All Things Return To the One ID: 216 Amida Sutra by Kaneda Chikuho (twentieth century) Namu Amida Butsu (dated) Showa 34 (1959) April 8 (Buddha's Birthday) ID: 1 Auspicious Clouds by Ohira Zenzo (1874-1952) Auspicious Clouds ID: 219 Bamboo by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) BAMBOO ID: 177 Bamboo by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) Bamboo ID: 202 Bamboo by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 292 Bliss by Taniuchi Seigan (1868-1953) ID: 2128 Bonji by Zenseki ID: 293 Buddha Mind by Nakano Eiken (1933-2002) ID: 1967 Calligraphy by Goto Zuigan (1879-1965) KAN (Barrier!) Penatrate this deeply! (signed) The old fellow Zuigan of Murasakino ID: 78 Calligraphy by Murakami Jikai (1905-1985) Sun (Days) Moon (Months) Long (Eternal) (signed) Kinkaku Jikai ID: 82 Calligraphy by Inoue Keigaku (twentieth century) Mujin (No Dust) Brushed by Horin [Abbot Kei]gaku ID: 84 Calligraphy by Kusashige Zenko (1906-1996) SEIJAKU (Pure Repose) (signed) Zenko of Mount Koya ID: 85 Calligraphy by Kusashige Zenko (1906-1996) UNSHIN (Cloud Mind) (signed) Zenko of Mount Koya ID: 86 Calligraphy by Hayashi Ekyo (1896-1979) With each step a pure breeze arises. (signed) The Worthless Old Fellow of Tofuku[-ji] ID: 87 Calligraphy by Michishige Shinkyo (1856-1934) Se Mu I (Giver of Fearlessness) (signed) Zojo-ji ID: 88 Calligraphy by Kobayashi Ryunin (d. 1988) SEI (STILLNESS) (signed) Ninna-ji Ryunin ID: 89 Calligraphy by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) One hundred victories in one hundred battles does not equal a single act of restraint. ID: 90 Calligraphy by Matsukura Joei (1910-1983) WA (PEACE) The world's number-one treasure. (signed) Ryoan[-ji Abbot] ID: 91 Calligraphy by Shibayama Zenkei (1894-1974) FRESH Breeze, Bright Moon (sealed) Nanzen Zenkei ID: 103 Calligraphy by Sugawara Jiho (1866-1956) Sit in quiet retirement and listen to the sound of the wind (signed) Donge* ID: 104 Calligraphy by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) All things return to the One (signed) Gao ID: 105 Calligraphy by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) FROM THE BEGINNING not one thing! ID: 106 Calligraphy by Fukui Tensho (1879-1965) ID: 2008 Calligraphy by Fukusada Mugai (1881-1943) ID: 2026 Child by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) CHILD-- A child of God, A child of Buddha, Share the same joys! ID: 129 Chuko by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) Chuko (Loyalty & Filial Piety) ID: 214 Direct Mind Calligraphy by Hayashi Ekyo (1896-1979) Direct Mind is the Dojo! ID: 151 Distant Mountains by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) Distant mountains without limit, peaks blue upon blue! ID: 117 Dragon by Takatori Jisso (20th Century) ID: 246 Dragon by Nyoren (1785-1858) ID: 254 Dragon by Jade Hill (1786-1881) ID: 258 Dragon by Tenkai (19th Century) Dragon ID: 259 Dragon by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 266 Dragon by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) ID: 286 Dragon/Tiger by Spring Mountain (20th Century) ID: 264 Dream by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 291 Dream by Seki Rozan (1865-1944) Dream ID: 1921 Ever Onward Calligraphy by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) Full of courage, ever onward, no retreat! (signed) Nantenbo Toju. ID: 101 Every day is a good day by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) Every day is a good day! (sealed) So En ID: 4 Fan Calligraphy by Nishida Kitaro (1870-1945) Water is swift but the moon does not drift. (signed) Sushin ID: 99 Fresh Breeze by Chiyonofuji (b. 1955) ID: 298 Fudo Myoo by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) Fudo Myo-o ID: 253 Fukuju by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) ID: 294 Hail to FUDO MYOO by Nakagawa Soen (1907-1984) ID: 2016 Hail to Kanzeon! by Fukusada Mugai (1881-1943) Hail to the Great Compassionate Kanzeon! ID: 120 Heart Like Water Calligraphy by Takeda Ekiju (1896-1989) Heart like water (signed) Kongo-Kutsu ID: 154 Kannon/Heart Sutra by Sugawara Jiho (1866-1956) Heart Sutra ID: 208 Katsu by Michishige Shinkyo (1856-1934) KATSU! (signed) High Priest Shinkyo ID: 72 Kotobuki by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) ID: 295 Little Dragon by Ohira Zenzo (1874-1952) RYU (Dragon) ID: 185 Moku by Tatebe Kaiun (1897-1984) ID: 281 Mountains Calligraphy by Shaku Daibi (1882-1964) Mountains High, Moon Small. ID: 163 Mt Fuji by Furukawa Taiko (1872-1968) ID: 284 MU by Shimizu Kosho (1910-1999) MU! (signed) Abbot Kosho ID: 73 MU by Dairei (twentieth century) MU! ID: 121 Mu by Tatebe Kaiun (1897-1984) ID: 280 MU! Calligraphy by Kozuki Tesshu (1879-1937) MU! [No!] Brushed by Seichiku, Master of Mount Shobo. ID: 79 MU! Calligraphy by Shibayama Zenkei (1894-1974) MU! Within nothingness there is the Way! (signed) Nanzen Kanmatsu Dojin ID: 83 My Heart by Omori Sogen (1926-1994) ID: 263 NIN by Ashikaga Shizan (1859-1959) ID: 1956 Not One Thing by Zentsu-ji Kametani Yuei ID: 299 O [Venerable] by Tsukuda Issa (twentieth century) O [Venerable] (signed) The eighty-six-year-old fellow, in quiet repose, Issa kao ID: 123 ONE Calligraphy by Yamanda Mumon (1900-1988) ONE--- Flowers open Into Five Leaves. ID: 164 One Line Calligraphy by Kensho Sohan, aka Shoun (1848-1922) ID: 2117 One-Line by Takahashi Deishu (1835-1903) Listen to the power of the wind in the pines to purify your thoughts ID: 199 One-Line Calligraphy by Baba Ichiro (1888-1959) Outside the Mind there is no separate Law! (sealed) Baba Ichiro ID: 81 One-Line Calligraphy by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) The moon shines over the mountains ID: 221 One-Line Calligraphy by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2108 Original Teacher by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) NA MU HON SHI SHA KA NYO RAI Hail to the Original Teacher Shakya Tathagata. ID: 118 Pine Wind Dream by Deiryu Sojun (1895-1954) Pine Wind Dream ID: 188 Pines Calligraphy by Shaku Daibi (1882-1964) Pines Venerable, Clouds Still. ID: 162 Rising Sun by Kensho Sohan, aka Shoun (1848-1922) The rising sun tints the waves crimson. (sealed) Kensho Sohan ID: 18 Shin (Kami) by Nyoze (1809-1891) KAMI ID: 1918 Sincerity by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) SHI SEI (SINCERITY) (signed) Nantembo Toju ID: 114 Stillness by Tsukuda Issa (twentieth century) KAN [Stillness] ID: 122 Tanzaku by Jigoro Kano (1860-1938) ID: 289 Three Great Teachers by Morotake Ekido (1805-1879) Great Practitioner Fugen Bosatsu Great Teacher Shakyamuni Butsu  Great Saint Monju Bosatsu (bottom seal) Sengai Ekido ID: 107 Tiger by Miura Joten (1872-1958) roars wind arises ID: 2010 Today No Problem by High Priest Koen (mid-20th century) Today no problem! ID: 225 True Light by Nishida Tenko (1872-1968) Shinko (True Light) (signed) Tenko kao ID: 70 Two Character Calligraphy by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2024 Two Line by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 2023 Two Line Zen Poem by Nanzan (1756-1839) Blue Mountains, Flowing Water ID: 1917 Two-Line Calligraphy by Nakahara Nantembo (1839-1925) After a heavy snow we know the endurance of the pines and oaks. ID: 116 Two-Line Calligraphy by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) In Boundless Retreat From the World ID: 220 White Clouds by Seki Rozan (1865-1944) White Clouds of Themselves Come and Go ID: 222 Zen Dog by Seki Seisetsu (1877-1944) ID: 285 Zen Money by Yamaoka Tesshu (1836-1888) ID: 247 Zen Mouse by Okada Kido (1902-1988) ID: 255 Zen Staff by Gasan (1853-1900) ID: 2135

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