In this work, the character 無 (chn: wu; jpn: mu) appears prominently at the center, occupying nearly the entire surface. The concept of  “nothingness” or “no,”  is one of the core terms in Zen Buddhism. It is understood as a tool to dismantle dualistic thinking and is widely used in the training of disciples.

Shigemori Mirei began his artistic training as a painter but devoted much of his life to designing Japanese gardens that blend elements of traditional landscaping with influences from modern artistic movements. He also played a key role in the modernization of ikebana 生け花 (the art of floral arrangement) and published extensively on various aspects of Japanese art and culture. His work integrates ideas from Buddhism, Shinto, and Daoism.

In this piece, Mirei renders the character in kaisho (standard script), using a thick brush with minimal ink. This technique results in broken, fading strokes that create a sense of texture and expressive depth within the calligraphic gesture.