{"product_id":"japanese-calligraphy-kakejiku-以和為貴-harmony-is-the-highest-virtue-sosho-cursive-script-signed-sealed-prince-shotokus-1-400-year-teaching","title":"Japanese Calligraphy Kakejiku | 以和為貴 \"Harmony is the Highest Virtue\" | Sōsho Cursive Script | Signed \u0026 Sealed | Prince Shōtoku's 1,400-Year Teaching","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFour Characters. Fourteen Hundred Years. One Wall.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThere are phrases that belong to a single moment, and there are phrases that belong to all of time. \u003cstrong\u003e以和為貴\u003c\/strong\u003e is the second kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Text: Prince Shōtoku's Founding Words\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eIn the summer of 604 CE, the regent of Japan — Prince Shōtoku Taishi (聖徳太子), a figure so revered he would later be placed on the Japanese 10,000-yen note — composed the nation's first written law. The Prince Imperial Shōtoku in person prepared laws for the first time. His Jūshichijō Kenpō (十七条憲法), the Seventeen-Article Constitution, opened with a declaration that would echo through every subsequent century of Japanese civilization: \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/nha.org\/whats-on\/exhibition\/digital-exhibitions\/asian-treasures-from-the-billings-collection\/the-exhibition\/buddhism\/\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003eNantucket Historical Association\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"transition-all opacity-[0%] h-[17px] absolute right-[0.5px] rounded-r-full flex items-center px-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-accent-900\/0 via-accent-900\/100 via-30% to-accent-900\/100 group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%]\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 256 256\" class=\"transition-all group-hover\/tag:ease-out duration-[500ms] ease-in text-accent-100 group-hover\/tag:scale-[100%] scale-[80%] group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%] opacity-[0%] -mr-[2px]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M200,64V168a8,8,0,0,1-16,0V83.31L69.66,197.66a8,8,0,0,1-11.32-11.32L172.69,72H88a8,8,0,0,1,0-16H192A8,8,0,0,1,200,64Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e以和為貴、無忤為宗\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e\"Harmony is to be valued; discord is to be avoided.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe Seventeen-Article Constitution states that sincerity, modesty, and harmony are the minimum standards that different people must keep in mind when coexisting and working together — Prince Shōtoku clearly conceptualized these three values in this constitution, which must have had an influence on the subsequent formation of the Japanese character. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.artic.edu\/artworks\/21023\/buddha-shakyamuni-seated-in-meditation-dhyanamudra\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003eThe Art Institute of Chicago\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"transition-all opacity-[0%] h-[17px] absolute right-[0.5px] rounded-r-full flex items-center px-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-accent-900\/0 via-accent-900\/100 via-30% to-accent-900\/100 group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%]\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 256 256\" class=\"transition-all group-hover\/tag:ease-out duration-[500ms] ease-in text-accent-100 group-hover\/tag:scale-[100%] scale-[80%] group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%] opacity-[0%] -mr-[2px]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M200,64V168a8,8,0,0,1-16,0V83.31L69.66,197.66a8,8,0,0,1-11.32-11.32L172.69,72H88a8,8,0,0,1,0-16H192A8,8,0,0,1,200,64Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe four characters of this scroll — 以和為貴 — are not merely a motto. They are the deepest root of the concept of \u003cstrong\u003e和\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ewa\u003c\/em\u003e): the harmony that gives Japan its ancient name (\u003cem\u003eYamato\u003c\/em\u003e, 大和), that shapes the tea ceremony, the garden, the boardroom, and the dinner table. Harmony is not about uniformity — it is about balance in motion, achieved by valuing each voice and recognizing the significance of silence. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/harvardartmuseums.org\/collections\/object\/204074\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003eHarvard Art Museums\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"transition-all opacity-[0%] h-[17px] absolute right-[0.5px] rounded-r-full flex items-center px-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-accent-900\/0 via-accent-900\/100 via-30% to-accent-900\/100 group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%]\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 256 256\" class=\"transition-all group-hover\/tag:ease-out duration-[500ms] ease-in text-accent-100 group-hover\/tag:scale-[100%] scale-[80%] group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%] opacity-[0%] -mr-[2px]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M200,64V168a8,8,0,0,1-16,0V83.31L69.66,197.66a8,8,0,0,1-11.32-11.32L172.69,72H88a8,8,0,0,1,0-16H192A8,8,0,0,1,200,64Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Brushwork: Sōsho at Full Speed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe calligrapher has chosen \u003cem\u003esōsho\u003c\/em\u003e (草書) — the most liberated of the five classical scripts, where strokes bleed into one another and individual characters dissolve into pure gesture. Each of the four characters fills nearly one-quarter of the paper, written in a single sustained breath of movement: the first character (以) opens with a sweeping diagonal; 和 spirals inward; 為 unfurls like a wave breaking; 貴 lands with weighted finality at the base. The ink modulation — dark at the start of each stroke, fading to pale grey at the tail — reveals the breath behind the brush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThis is not decorative calligraphy. This is \u003cem\u003ekakushin\u003c\/em\u003e (確信) — conviction made visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Seals \u0026amp; Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThree red seals authenticate the work. The upper \u003cem\u003erakkan-in\u003c\/em\u003e (落款印) at top right reads \u003cstrong\u003e晴水\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSeisui\u003c\/em\u003e, \"Clear Water\") — the artist's \u003cem\u003egō\u003c\/em\u003e (号), their artistic sobriquet. Two additional seals below the signature complete the traditional Japanese calligraphy attribution convention: the larger square seal contains the studio or lineage name; the smaller contains the personal name seal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Mounting: Slate-Blue Yamato Hyōgu\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eThe mounting \u003cem\u003ehyōsō\u003c\/em\u003e is made of paper or cloth and provides a backing and a frame for the picture; crossbars are attached to the upper and lower ends of the mounting, and a cord attached to the upper crosspiece allows the work to be hung. Here, the \u003cem\u003ehonshi\u003c\/em\u003e (main work panel) is framed in a \u003cem\u003eyamato hyōgu\u003c\/em\u003e mounting of mottled slate-blue silk — a refined, underplayed choice that allows the bold black ink to command the eye without competition. The gold \u003cem\u003eichimonji\u003c\/em\u003e band at the top and bottom creates the traditional separation between heaven, earth, and artwork. \u003cem\u003eJiku\u003c\/em\u003e (軸) roller ends are lacquered red. \u003cspan class=\"inline-flex\" data-state=\"closed\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/gjtea.org\/shifuku\/\" class=\"group\/tag relative h-[18px] rounded-full inline-flex items-center overflow-hidden -translate-y-px cursor-pointer\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"relative transition-colors h-full max-w-[180px] overflow-hidden px-1.5 inline-flex items-center font-small rounded-full border-0.5 border-border-300 bg-bg-200 group-hover\/tag:bg-accent-900 group-hover\/tag:border-accent-100\/60\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"text-nowrap text-text-300 break-all truncate font-normal group-hover\/tag:text-text-200\"\u003eGjtea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"transition-all opacity-[0%] h-[17px] absolute right-[0.5px] rounded-r-full flex items-center px-1.5 bg-gradient-to-r from-accent-900\/0 via-accent-900\/100 via-30% to-accent-900\/100 group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%]\"\u003e\u003csvg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"14\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\" viewbox=\"0 0 256 256\" class=\"transition-all group-hover\/tag:ease-out duration-[500ms] ease-in text-accent-100 group-hover\/tag:scale-[100%] scale-[80%] group-hover\/tag:opacity-[100%] opacity-[0%] -mr-[2px]\"\u003e\u003cpath d=\"M200,64V168a8,8,0,0,1-16,0V83.31L69.66,197.66a8,8,0,0,1-11.32-11.32L172.69,72H88a8,8,0,0,1,0-16H192A8,8,0,0,1,200,64Z\"\u003e\u003c\/path\u003e\u003c\/svg\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eHang in a \u003cem\u003etokonoma\u003c\/em\u003e alcove, an entry hall, a home office, or a meditation space. The scale of the brushwork demands a wall with breathing room — do not crowd it. In a boardroom or executive space, 以和為貴 communicates cultural fluency and philosophical depth without a word of explanation.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Chikoyaki","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45534115430479,"sku":"CKY-KAK-0013","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0667\/6588\/1423\/files\/IMG_2803.jpg?v=1780832293","url":"https:\/\/chikoyaki.com\/products\/japanese-calligraphy-kakejiku-%e4%bb%a5%e5%92%8c%e7%82%ba%e8%b2%b4-harmony-is-the-highest-virtue-sosho-cursive-script-signed-sealed-prince-shotokus-1-400-year-teaching","provider":"Chikoyaki","version":"1.0","type":"link"}