No Mind, the Great Way – Zen Calligraphy, Gold-Mounted

Name: No Mind, the Great Way – Zen Calligraphy, Gold-Mounted
Brand: Kobayashi Taigen
SKU: 6371
Price: 720.00 EUR
Availability: InStock

Kakemono, unique work, with box, 173 x 37 cm

Product number: 6371

Height 173 cm
Width 37 cm
Item Type Kakemono
Jikusaki Wood
Material Honshi Paper
Period of Creation Heisei (1989–2019)
Technique Hand-Painted
Unique Work Yes
Wooden Box Yes

Signature / Stamp:

Kobayashi Taigen

€720.00

Available, delivery time: 1-3 Days

Description

Bold, sweeping brushstrokes form the five large characters "No Mind, the Great Way," which stretch dynamically across the bright paper and radiate a palpable energy. The red seal at the upper right sets a warm accent, while the empty space around it makes the message resonate even more strongly – a timeless Zen wisdom that recalls the power of inner clarity and invites the viewer to stillness and mindfulness.

The kakemono bears the signature and seal of Kobayashi Taigen, a respected Zen monk and calligrapher who serves as abbot of the Obai-in at Daitoku-ji temple in Kyoto. Traditional Zen calligraphy is characterized by an open, expressive brushwork that conveys deep spiritual insights in a simple and powerful way. Kobayashi Taigen is known for works that are treasured in tea ceremonies and meditation rooms.

Written on paper, the calligraphy unfolds an intense blackness of ink, alive with subtle gradations and dynamic strokes. Traditional jikusaki made of wood elegantly frame the work, and it is delivered with a signed wooden box. This hand-painted unique work brings the meditative clarity of the Zen tradition into any room and appeals especially to lovers of Japanese calligraphy who value spiritual depth and artistic power.

Frequently asked

Does this piece come with a wooden box (Tomobako)?

Yes, this work is delivered with a wooden box.

Does this work carry a seal or signature?

Yes, this piece carries the signature or seal of Kobayashi Taigen

When was the work created?

Based on the previous owners' information and the condition of the object we place it broadly in the Heisei (1989–2019) period, but cannot give a precise date.

Is this genuine craftsmanship?

Yes, this piece is a genuine handcrafted original that exists only once.

Why does the date of creation sometimes not match the artist's dates

Because the two pieces of information speak about different things: the period designation describes the object – support, colors, condition – while the signature reflects which name appears on the painting. In most cases there is no attempt at deception behind this, but rather Japanese painting training: copying from workshop models was the curriculum for centuries, an utsushi is regarded as a bow to the teacher, workshops signed with the master's name, and artist names were passed down within a school. Such a hanging scroll is therefore not a forgery, but a hand-painted one-of-a-kind that continues the formal language of its school – just not the work of the famous name, and priced accordingly. We explain this in detail in the guide Why does a kakemono often bear the signature of an artist long deceased?.