Zen Calligraphy “Crimson Sun in the Blue Universe” – Japanese Shikishi with Seals – ca. 1960–1970s

Japanese shikishi calligraphy with the poetic phrase "Crimson Sun in the Blue Universe" (紅輪蒼宇宙), executed in bold Kaisho style with a deep Zen aesthetic.
The phrase paints an image of the red sun suspended in the boundless blue sky – a symbol of the meeting between the finite and the infinite, the warmth of life set against the vastness of emptiness.

In Zen thought, the red sun often represents awakening – the moment of clarity that appears suddenly, cutting through the darkness of ignorance. The blue universe is the limitless field of existence, free from attachment and boundaries. Together, they evoke a sense of harmony between transient human life and the eternal nature of the cosmos.

Two original red seals:
– Rectangular author’s seal in the upper right (Jōshō no in – “Seal of Jōshō”),
– Square personal/studio seal in the lower left (Ishiba).

Likely created by a Japanese calligrapher or Zen practitioner in the postwar Shōwa period (ca. 1960–1970s).
Mounted on traditional shikishi board (washi paper on gold-bordered cardboard), 24×27 cm. Some natural foxing consistent with age.

A fine decorative and collectible piece, uniting poetry, philosophy, and the elegance of Japanese brushwork.

Secure shipping from Latvia (Riga Gallery of Japanese Art CloudyYokomido).

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