Series/ KOTODAMA - the magic of words
Hachi - Expansion / 八
: Acrylic, 24k Gold-leaf
on Canvasboard 25×25cm, mixed media on paper 30×30cm / 2023
Hachi = 8 , expansion, increase success, prosperous, spreading out
divided into two”
“something divided into two”
When written as ``eight'' in kanji, it means 'spreading out', as the lower part spreads out, and is considered good luck in Japan.
In ancient Japan, 8 was considered a sacred number, and was also used to vaguely indicate a “large number”, this is because in ancient times, it was not common to count numbers over 8.
"Happo" means not only the eight directions, but also "all directions" and "all sides.”
Kotodama: meaning the spirit that dwells in words. In ancient Japan it was believed that the spiritual power that resides in words could realise the content of linguistic expressions.There are two sides to this belief: positive words are actively used to realise that which they express, and negative words are avoided or shunned. With this inherent energy, the words one utters can directly affect reality and manifest changes, for better or for worse.
This is a series of works in which words are incorporated into the artworks with gold-leaf calligraphy, bringing wealthy vibrational energy.