A striking original Japanese shikishi (色紙) calligraphy artwork featuring the classical Zen expression:
柳緑花紅 “The willow is green, the flowers are red.”
It is a well-known expression in Zen and classical East Asian thought. Literally, it describes the natural world exactly as it is: Its deeper meaning is that everything possesses its own true nature, and there is beauty in seeing things without forcing judgment, comparison, or unnecessary interpretation.
A willow does not need to become a flower, and a flower does not need to become a willow. Each is beautiful by being exactly what it is.
It therefore carries ideas of naturalness, acceptance, individuality, and seeing the world with a clear and uncomplicated mind. The four characters are written with powerful variations in brush pressure, from broad, saturated strokes to lighter, energetic movements. Their large scale gives the piece a strong visual presence while retaining the spontaneity associated with Zen calligraphy.
