This vintage Japanese shikishi (色紙) features a delicate watercolor-style depiction of a five-story pagoda (五重塔), a classic icon of Japanese temple architecture. The artist uses gentle, flowing brushstrokes and a soft pastel palette to render the pagoda in a dreamlike atmosphere, surrounded by abstract hints of trees and temple grounds.
Each tier of the pagoda is elegantly curved, capturing the rhythmic balance and upward harmony characteristic of traditional Buddhist structures. Subtle shades of red and grey define the structure, while muted greens, blues, and golds suggest surrounding foliage and landscape in a stylized wash technique.
Signed with a vertical signature and red seal (hanko) at the bottom left, the painting emphasizes simplicity and serenity, qualities deeply rooted in Nihonga (Japanese-style painting). The composition invites quiet reflection, reminiscent of temples found in Kyoto or Nara, embodying a sense of spiritual stillness and timeless beauty. An ideal collector’s piece for lovers of Japanese aesthetics, Buddhist architecture, or those seeking a tranquil accent in their space.
