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Zen Calligraphy "A Thousand Years of Green" by Suga Gendo

Kakemono, unique work, 183 x 36 cm
Product number: 6273

Sold – no longer available

This piece was handmade by Suga Gendo and was a one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.

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Details about the sold piece

  • Height 183 cm
  • Width 36 cm
  • Item Type Kakemono
  • Jikusaki Wood
  • Material Honshi Paper
  • Period of Creation Shôwa (1926–1989)
  • Technique Hand-Painted
  • Unique Work Yes
Signature / Stamp:
Suga Gendo
Sold

No longer available

Description

This impressive Japanese calligraphy by Suga Gendo bears the inscription "松樹千年翠" (Shōju Sennen no Midori), which can be translated as "The pine stays green for a thousand years." The saying originates from classical Chinese and Japanese philosophy and symbolizes constancy, longevity, and unshakable strength. In East Asia, the pine is regarded as a symbol of resilience, as it retains its green color even through harsh winters – a motif that is often associated with wisdom and spiritual enlightenment.

The artist captured this powerful message with dynamic yet harmonious brushstrokes. The expressive ink drawing on paper is fitted with a jikusaki made of wood and dates from the Showa period.

This calligraphy is more than a work of art – it is a source of inspiration and a reminder of inner strength and constancy. An ideal piece for collectors of Japanese art or as a meditative focal point for a room meant to radiate calm and wisdom.

Frequently asked

No – as a one-of-a-kind piece it exists in a single example only.
We would be glad to look for one. Get in touch with the details of the object you are looking for and we will see what we can do.
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?.