Phrase about the female deity Mazu

This exuberantly brushed calligraphy embodies the energy of the cursive script of Jifei Ruyi, one of the three celebrated Ōbaku masters of calligraphy (Ōbaku no sanpitsu). It represents a combination of firm control and swift execution, as evidenced by the lingering presence of “flying white,” where a somewhat dry brush splits so the strokes show individual hairs. Even with the brisk motion of the brush, the characters maintain legibility in a well-structured layout, achieving a uniform and bold thickness throughout the composition. The result is a written phrase with a strong visual presence.

慈愛見婆心

The nurturing love of the heart
of an elderly woman [Mazu] is revealed.

Trans. by Tim T. Zhang

This calligraphy describes the compassion of a specific deity: Mazu is a maritime goddess whose cult originated in Fujian during the Song dynasty. She has been revered as a manifestation of Kannon, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion, as well as a guardian of sailors and fishermen. Her worship later spread along China’s coasts and communities in East and Southeast Asia, reaching Japan during the Edo period. It also appears on the left panel of a pair of carved wooden plaques that adorn the entrance of a hall dedicated to the worship of Mazu in Sōfukuji, one of the first temples established through the patronage of Chinese maritime merchants in Nagasaki. Further research is required to determine whether this scroll served as the model for the carved panel or whether it is a subsequent version.