This shikishi presents a quiet, poetic floral composition by 和子 (Kazuko), depicting 水仙 (suisen, narcissus) in a soft ink-and-color style. Slender green stems rise gracefully, crowned with delicate white blossoms whose yellow centers are gently accented, conveying both freshness and restraint. Broad, flowing ink strokes suggest the long leaves of the plant, their movement contrasting with the fragile clarity of the flowers and leaving ample white space to breathe.
In Japanese art and poetry, narcissus (水仙) carries rich symbolic meaning. It is a flower of winter to early spring, blooming even in cold conditions, and therefore symbolizes purity, quiet strength, resilience, and inner dignity. Because it flowers early in the year, suisen is also associated with renewal, hope, and the promise of better days ahead. Its upright yet unassuming form reflects humility and refined elegance, virtues long admired in Japanese aesthetics.
Signed simply with the artist’s name and sealed in red, this work feels intimate and contemplative, capturing the serene beauty of nature awakening in silence. It is a fitting piece for a tea room or quiet interior, offering a gentle reminder of endurance, purity of heart, and calm grace in the face of adversity.
Size: 24 x 27cm
