Image of the work
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The worldview of the work
“Sho” is a kanji onto which Japanese people have long entrusted their hopes for the future.
Artist: MADARA
This work does not depict the state of already flying through the air.
Instead, it captures the single instant in which one decides to fly.
It is the moment when hesitation and resolve intersect,
when inner force rises from within.
The presence of that irreversible decision is fixed
as a collision of brushstrokes and color.
The deep blue represents flow and space.
Gold symbolizes invisible propulsion and will.
Red embodies the impulse of life and a fleeting moment of tension.
The black brushstroke is not decoration, but action itself,
etched onto the surface as a one-time, unrepeatable movement.
“Sho” does not mean to fly high.
It signifies the will to cross boundaries and, from where one stands in the present,
to choose to move toward a distant place in another dimension.
“Yes—now, you are about to take flight.”
This calligraphy artwork visualizes that very moment of decision.
Behind the Scenes
On the Creation of “Sho”
This work, Sho, was not created with the intention of writing a character from the outset.
First, softly diluted pigments were poured onto the canvas. Rather than controlling them with brushes or tools, I allowed gravity and natural flow to guide the process. As the colors bled, merged, and formed unexpected shapes, the background emerged through a dialogue between intention and chance—a time spent exploring the boundary between the two.
Once the background had settled, I wrote the kanji “Sho” in a single, decisive motion using calligraphy. In this moment, I deliberately left no room for hesitation, focusing only on preserving the line of commitment.
Finally, gold and red paint were squeezed directly from the tube onto the canvas. Without using a brush, I let bodily movement and raw emotion run across the surface, visualizing the surge of energy, tension, and electric anticipation felt just before taking flight.
This work does not depict the act of flying itself, but the state of mind at the moment one decides to fly.
It is a piece that fixes, through the very process of its creation, the will toward the future that has long been entrusted to the kanji “Sho.”
Kanji meaning
Sho” — しょう (sho)
- To soar high into the sky.
- To spread one’s wings and rise gracefully.
- To move freely and expansively, without restraint.
“Sho” is a kanji that depicts a bird spreading its wings wide and traveling through the sky by riding the wind.
It does not simply indicate leaving the ground or momentarily leaping upward. Rather, its defining feature lies in sustained flight—maintaining a certain altitude while moving steadily toward a distant destination.
While the kanji “Hi” (飛) includes sudden jumps and vertical motion, “Sho” (翔) is understood as a word that represents continuous, directional flight.
For this reason, “Sho” carries nuances not only of momentum, but also of stability, breadth, and an elevated perspective.
In Japanese, “Sho” is rarely used in everyday language.
Instead, it has been used primarily in personal names and symbolic expressions.
Within it are layered meanings such as “aiming for greater heights,” “moving toward a broader world,” and “spreading one’s wings in freedom.”
Why “Sho” instead of “Hi”
Both “Hi” (飛) and “Sho” (翔) are kanji that mean “to fly,” yet their focal points differ significantly.
“Hi” emphasizes:
- jumping
- leaping upward
- vigorous, momentary movement
It strongly conveys instantaneous action and vertical motion. The center of gravity lies in the act of leaving the ground itself, bringing speed and height to the forefront.
In contrast, “Sho” signifies:
- spreading one’s wings
- receiving the wind
- maintaining a steady altitude
It represents flight with duration and direction.
What matters here is not momentum, but will—not a leap, but choice.
“Sho” is not a character that exaggerates the moment of taking off.
Rather, it is a kanji that contains an inner decision:
Where am I going?
Why do I fly?
That is why, to express:
- flying by choice, not by chance
- looking far ahead, not chasing a fleeting thrill
- determination to move forward, rather than the celebration of success
“Hi” is not enough.
“Sho” is a kanji that does not describe the result of an action,
but the direction of one’s will.
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.
