Zen Calligraphy of Heart Sutra Excerpt — "Kanzeon Bosatsu" — Shikishi Board, Showa Japan

This vintage Japanese shikishi board features a powerful excerpt from the Heart Sutra and the Kanzeon Gyō — a meditative invocation to the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteśvara (Kannon). The central phrase, written in expressive brushwork, reads:

南無大慈大悲観世音菩薩
“Homage to the Great Compassionate Bodhisattva Kannon.”

Written in clear semi-cursive script (gyōsho), the text flows vertically across the board in traditional style. This work is signed Fukoku (孚谷), likely a Buddhist monk or calligrapher from the 1970s–80s.

Medium: Sumi ink on shikishi board

Size: approx. 24 × 27 cm

Era: Showa period (ca. 1970s–80s)

School: likely Sōtō Zen or lay temple calligraphy

Condition: very good vintage condition

No stamp/seal, as typical for devotional sutra works

Safe and tracked shipping from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art CloudyYokomido). Feel free to ask any questions!


For US buyers: this item enters the United States duty-free.