【Master Gichin Funakoshi】 in mixed media -the reproduction of the figure in oil * and the background in water 11”×15”© Masanobu Nihei- 2001-.21
* from“Master Gichin Funakoshi with the Five Precepts” 30”×40”oil on canvas 
The new background in watercolor on paper--The opened ‘Fusuma' (traditional Japanese sliding doors)
[ The upper part of the Fusuma ] from the calligraphy
by Master Funakoshi 
“Hatu-Un, Jin-Dou” in Japanese—(It reads from right to left)～
Dou(way) / Jin(seek) / Un(cloud) / Hatu(part)…道/尋/雲/撥
Hatuun Jindou Parting the clouds (Delusion),
Seeking the the way (Truth)
Parting the Delusions Onri-Issai-Tendou-Musou from prajnaparamita- hrdaya-sutra
(the heart sutra)
［Part all trhe wrong preconceived ideas which are insubstantial rooted in ignorance and earthly desires. ]
Seeking the Truth “ The truth shall make you free ” from John 8:32……
[ Nirvana—Isolating oneself from all trouble/anguish, and attaining the absolute freedom] -“Gedatsu”
[ The middle red part of the Fusuma ] from the five precepts (Go-Jyou-Kun)
Dojo-Kun by Master Funakoshi
Seek Perfection of Character
Be Genuine
Endeavor to Excel
Respect Oneself/Others
Refrain from Violent Behavior
[The lower part of the Fusuma] from the woodblock print -The seascape of Ryukyu (Okinawa) by Hokusai
[ the series Eight Views of the Ryukyu Island (Ryukyu Hakkei)
published in1832.]
‘ Clear Autumn Weather at Chôkô ’(Chôkô Shûsei) A view of a Stone Causeway
[The concept reflected on the view by Nihei, the artist]
A stone causeway ( known as the ‘Chôkô’, or ‘Long Rainbow’) were as if the rainbow bridge where Funakoshi had crossed through as the path of his life. We should close the sliding doors to connect the bridge (the causeway), so that we could follow the way of the truths which he had shown to us.
Hatsu-Un, Jin-Dou / the Five Precepts /Myo wa Kyo-Jitsu no Kan ni Ari
Absolute excellence lies in between
(subjective) dream and (objective) reality
Absolute exellence lies in concentrating one's everything here and now while flowing freely between spirit and truth
without being prepossessed.
Absolute excellence (in karate) lies in concentrating one’s everything here and now while applying body freely between
( distance/timing ) , Spirit (mind) and Truth ( art / skill ) without being prepossessed.
Someday, our soul shall all reach Gedatsu (Nirvana) in the Clear Autumn Weather.
© MasanobuNihei-2021