Calligraphy on Paulownia wood – Zen 「禅」

Bushido's origins were influenced by Zen Buddhism, Shinto, and Confucian principles, according to Inazo Nitobe.

Eisai and Dogen introduced the Rinzai and Soto sects to Japan at the start of the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Warriors who faced death on a daily basis were soon attracted to the concept of confronting the underlying nature of one's heart and attaining enlightenment through zazen. "One quietly accepts a peaceful trust in fate and the inevitability of things through Zen Buddhism."

Zen is a "human endeavour to reach a realm beyond what language can represent through meditation." It might be regarded as samurai spiritual training to help them understand impermanence and prepare for the most significant event of their lives: death.

About kiri (paulownia)

Kiri, known in the West as paulownia, or sometimes princess tree, is a lightweight wood that has a distinctive silky surface. It offers a beautiful contrast with black ink.

Kiri were once sacred trees in China, because people believed that phoenixes only perched on their branches. Due to these revered origins, the Japanese imperial family adopted the kiri flower as one of its emblems towards the end of the first millennium.

In Japan, it was also customary to plant a paulownia when a girl was born. Later, when the daughter married, the tree would be cut down and transformed into a dresser for her kimonos.

Nowadays, kiri wood is often used to craft furnitures, music instruments or gift box.

Hanging system

This calligraphy features a set of metallic hooks and wire for hanging. These can be easily removed and replaced with your own system or frame if you wish to do so.