With a thick brush and a firm cursive style, Mumon inscribes this phrase where the ink's density reveals various shades of black as well as textures created by the semi-dry brush effect. The text features an auspicious character associated with longevity, often used at the beginning of the year. It is a Zen phrase symbolizing the steadfastness of the pine tree, which remains evergreen and upright despite any circumstance.

Yamada Mumon was a monk and calligrapher of the Rinzai 臨済 school of Zen Buddhism. Known for his vigorous efforts to strengthen and spread Zen both in Japan and abroad, he served as abbot of the Shōfuku-ji 祥福寺 temple in Kobe and Myōshin-ji 妙心寺 in Kyoto. Throughout his life, he published numerous texts on Zen Buddhism