Vintage shikishi original artowrk card of the lotus (蓮, hasu). It is a powerful symbol in Japanese and East Asian culture, representing purity, enlightenment, resilience, and spiritual awakening. Its deeply rooted in Buddhism, Shintoism, and traditional aesthetics.
The lotus grows from muddy waters but blooms into a beautiful flower, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment, purity, and transcendence over suffering. The unfolding petals represent the progress of the soul toward awakening. Growing in muddy or murky conditions, the lotus remains unstained, symbolizing the ability to rise above challenges and hardships.
The shikishi shown the harmony between imperfection and beauty, a concept tied to wabi-sabi (侘寂), which finds beauty in impermanence and simplicity.
The unpainted areas of the Shikishi board allow the artwork to “breathe,” a key characteristic of traditional ink wash painting. Traditional nihonga art uses pigments derived from minerals, shells, and plants, giving the colors a soft, organic feel.
Size: 24 x 27cm
