The worldview of the work
Joy That Endures Even as Circumstances Waver
Artist: MADARA
The word “Raku” (joy) may sound light at first.
Yet its true meaning is neither simple nor linear.
This work does not depict momentary pleasure
or happiness that depends on favorable conditions.
Rather, it expresses a form of joy that can exist
even while uncertainty and hesitation remain.
The background is created using drip painting
with silver and gold pigments.
By dripping, flowing, and layering the paint,
a hazy, cloud-like world without clear contours emerges.
It resembles a state of mind in which
the shape of the future is still unclear.
Nothing is fully defined—
yet it is far from empty.
As light reflects and the viewing angle shifts,
the colors change and the surface subtly wavers.
This background embodies a simple truth:
even when circumstances remain the same,
the way we see them can change.
Upon this surface, the single kanji “Raku” is placed
in black sumi ink.
It is neither decorative nor emphatic,
but stands quietly as an axis—
a steady presence within a world in constant transformation.
Behind the Scenes
Why This Became “Raku”
In truth, this piece titled “Raku” did not take this form from the beginning.
At first, I tried to write a version of “Raku” that was clearer,
more straightforward, and more refined.
However, when the work was finished,
it felt somehow different from the image I had in my mind.
“This isn’t it.”
Feeling that way, I chose not to complete the piece and set it aside.
After that, I asked myself again:
“What does joy truly mean to me?”
In general, it is not easy to find work that feels enjoyable.
Our circumstances are often shaped by environment and conditions.
Yet even within the same situation,
it is possible to make something enjoyable, depending on one’s mindset.
When I reached that realization,
what appeared was not a clear form,
but a vague, hazy image.
That is why, this time, I did not decide on a form from the start.
Through drip painting, I embraced chance,
allowing the flow of layered paint and surface textures
to find their own course.
And finally, upon this world where uncertainty remains,
I wrote the single character “Raku”
as a one-time, irreversible act.
What is depicted in this work
is not a completed answer.
It is the very attitude of moving toward joy itself.
Kanji meaning
楽 Raku
On’yomi (Chinese reading): Raku, Gaku
Kun’yomi (Japanese reading): tanoshii, tanoshimu
A term meaning music and harmony
Originally, raku (read as gaku) referred to music.
It described a state in which sound is ordered and balanced,
bringing harmony to both mind and body.
Example: Gagaku (traditional Japanese court music)
A state in which the heart feels full, free from suffering or anxiety
A feeling of lightness and calm.
Examples: kiraku (ease of mind), anraku (peaceful comfort)
A condition with little hardship or burden
Physically and mentally unstrained, without excess effort.
Examples: raku na shigoto (an easy job), raku ni ikiru (to live with ease)
A feeling of joy or delight that lifts the spirit
A positive emotion that arises through play or experience.
Examples: tanoshii jikan (an enjoyable time), tanoshimi (pleasure)
Additional note (etymological background)
The character Raku originally expressed a state in which
music brings the body and mind into balance,
softening hardship and easing distress.
In other words,
Raku ≠ mere entertainment
but rather a word that contains
serenity and joy born from harmony.
Work details
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| The basis of the work | Wood Campus |
| Material | wood |
| Size | 60 × 60 × 2.2 cm / 23.62 × 23.62 × 0.87 inches |
| Materials used | Gesso, acrylic paint, Sumi-ink |
| Finishing the work | The wood canvas was primed with gesso, layered with acrylic paint, and completed using traditional Sumi ink. |
| Regarding domestic and international shipping | ・International shipping available: Ships via FedEx if no designated shipping company is specified. ・Domestic shipping in Japan: Ships via Yamato Transport if no designated shipping company is specified. |
| Packaging at time of shipment | We can also accommodate requests for packaging such as simple packaging and heavy-duty packaging, so please contact us for details. |
| Shipping | Decisions will be made in consultation with the buyer, such as using transportation suitable for art works and taking out insurance. |
| Compensation for works | The artwork will be delivered in the same condition as when it was sold. If you would like to purchase art insurance, we are happy to discuss this. |
| Payment Method | The payment amount is the artwork price plus shipping. Payment can be made by credit card. |
Artwork Storage and Handling
At our atelier, each artwork is carefully wrapped individually in Japanese washi paper and stored in a climate-controlled room where temperature and humidity are kept stable at all times.
The artworks are preserved in an environment protected from light, moisture, and dust, ensuring they remain in optimal condition until delivery.
After purchase, each piece is prepared with specialized protective packaging and shipped with the highest priority placed on safety, both domestically and internationally.
A Certificate of Authenticity is included with every artwork.
A certificate of authenticity is included.
