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The worldview of the wor
Artist: MADARA
Within deep silence, a single thread of light is born.
It flickers like a flame, yet never burns out—an eternal light.
When one turns away from the noise of the world
and listens to the stillness at the bottom of the heart,
one realizes that this light exists quietly within us as well.
“Light” awakens memories sleeping deep inside the viewer’s soul.
It carries pain and prayer, lost days,
and the subtle spark of life that rises again.
With each stroke of the brush, golden particles emerge from the silence,
shimmering like the gentle breath of a soul.
This light is a flame without heat,
yet it burns undeniably.
It is not anger nor joy, but the warmth of pure existence itself.
A silent proof of life that breathes within stillness—
a faint radiance illuminating the origin of being alive.
The deep green washi holds the memory of the earth.
When touched by gold ink, nature and prayer merge as one.
Light and silence, time and breath, life and stillness—
when all of these dissolve together within a single stroke,
the world trembles softly, and a new light is born.
Behind the Scenes
The creation of this work demanded both technical precision and deep mental focus.
The washi I used was handmade from hemp fibers—rougher and more loosely bound than ordinary paper, with minimal sizing.
Because of that, once it absorbed water, it softened instantly and became so delicate that even the slightest pressure could tear it.
Yet I was drawn to this paper precisely because of the natural texture that only it could offer.
During the mounting process, I relied entirely on the sensitivity of my fingertips, adjusting the tension little by little.
If the balance was lost even once, the surface would ripple and never return.
After a series of tense adjustments, the paper finally merged perfectly with the wooden panel,
and at that very moment, its surface appeared as if it had been waiting to reveal its quiet beauty.
Once the sheet was completely dry, I placed the brush soaked in gold ink upon it.
Unlike ordinary sumi ink, gold ink is heavy and has little flow.
Depending on the speed and angle of each stroke, the light particles scatter in different directions,
sometimes appearing like flames, other times like wind.
Rather than fearing this unpredictability, I embraced it—
I wanted to express it as “a living light.”
After the brush left the paper,
the light began to change its expression as it dried, shifting with each angle of view—
soft in the morning light, profound under the glow of night.
It is impossible to capture such a burning light within stillness forever.
That is why, as I moved the brush, I prayed—
as if engraving eternity into a single fleeting moment.
Kanji meaning
Formation of the Character
In ancient oracle bone script, the character 「光」 (hikari, “light”) was depicted as a figure of a person holding up a flame.
Its origin, therefore, represents the image of a human being carrying fire to illuminate the darkness.
Through the stages of tensho (seal script) and reisho (clerical script), this form gradually evolved into the modern character 「光」.
The radical 「儿」 symbolizes a human figure,
while the upper component, resembling 「兀」 or the shape of fire, represents flame and radiance.
Thus, the character 「光」 embodies the brightness born from the relationship between human beings and fire —
a symbol of how light is created through the meeting of life and illumination.
Meaning
- Physical Light
Refers to the natural radiance found in the world — the brilliance of the sun, the moon, fire, and the stars. - Spiritual Light and Enlightenment
A symbol of wisdom, truth, and awakening that illuminates the darkness within the heart.
In Buddhism, it represents the “light of the Buddha,” while in Christianity, it signifies the “light of God.”
Both share the same universal symbolism — the divine light that guides and awakens the soul. - Symbol of Life and Hope
“Light” also expresses guidance in life, inner strength, love, and prayer.
Phrases such as “to receive light” or “to be filled with light” convey the idea that one’s very existence shines with its own radiance —
a state in which life itself becomes luminous.
Calligraphic Interpretation
In calligraphy, the character 「光」 (light) embodies the harmony between stillness and movement, yin and yang, through the flow of lines and the rhythm of space (ma).
With each stroke, the direction of light shifts, and even the same character radiates a completely different brilliance depending on the artist who writes it.
When expressed in gold ink, “light” is not merely a visual luminosity —
it is perceived as the inner radiance emitted by the soul.
It represents life that burns within silence,
the very breath of prayer itself.
Work details
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| The basis of the work | Wood Campus |
| Material | wood, Japanese paper（Washi） |
| Size | F15 25.7in(652mm) × 20.9in(530mm)×0.98in(25mm) |
| Materials used | Sumi-ink |
| Finishing the work | The wooden canvas is primed with gesso, calligraphy paper (washi paper) is pasted on top, and the painting is finished with 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. |
A certificate of authenticity is included.
