[Fuh-mi] Kakejiku - Fudoshin Calligraphy

Fudōshin is a state of equanimity that martial artists and Zen practitioners strive for during their training. It literally means "immovable mind" in English, and can be equated to mushin, a state of mind free of any attachments. Fudōshin is associated with the guardian deity Fudō Myōō, who is generally depicted with a sword in his right hand to cut through illusions, and a rope in his left hand to bind all evil and excessive passions.

According to Pr. Tasaka Hiroshi of Tama University, science can sometimes help to understand such esoteric concepts. An experiment was carried out to see if fudōshin could be detected through brain waves. They monitored a student and a Zen master during a zazen meditation session. At first, both the student's and the master's brain waves were similar. The researcher then unexpectedly made a loud noise to startle them. Both brain waves were disrupted in some way. The Master's brain waves, however, soon restored to their previous state, whereas the student's graph revealed persistent signs of disruption.

This clarifies the true meaning of fudōshin: it is not a mind that is never disturbed, but rather one that can rapidly recover after being upset and return immediately to equanimity.

Traditional Kakejiku patterns are often rigid and elaborate, but Fuh-mi wanted to create something decidedly modern with the Kankū series. She wanted to create a beautiful minimalist aesthetic while still retaining the essence of handcrafted kakejiku. To accomplish this, she decided to eliminate ornamentation and accent lines like fūtai or ichimonji, as well as the protruding jiku-saki, and replace the old-school-looking donsu with a piece of plain high-quality cotton fabric. We use cotton kireji that is produced and dyed in Japan. Plain simplicity imbues the Kankū kakejiku with a solemn aura, making it ideal for martial arts or zen dojos.

Thehonshi for this calligraphy is made of high-quality Nishinouchi washi, a traditional paper made in Hitachiomiya, Ibaraki Prefecture. It is composed entirely of mulberry, rather than mitsumata or ganpi (Japanese shrubs), as is common with washi paper. Nishinouchi paper was a Mito Domain specialty during the Edo period, and it was widely used throughout Japan. Nishinouchi washi is extremely durable and has great storage stability.

This calligraphy is offered with a Kiri wooden box
Kiri, known in the West as paulownia, is a lightweight wood that has a distinctive silky surface. Kiri is commonly used to make furniture, musical instruments, and storage boxes due to its unusual fiber structure, which renders it nearly impervious to moisture. It also has a great insect resistance since it contains a lot of tannins.

Unique piece. Upon placing the product in your cart, the product is reserved for a short amount of time. Should you leave the website, it will be made available for other customers. We do not accept reservations: first come, first served.