Zen Art for Turbulent Times, by Sayama Daian Roshi

In these turbulent times, Zen Art can help you become clear and tranquil—bringing peace to a busy city, or clarity to your environment and state of mind. As a vibrant force, Zen Art influences your vibration, helping you to accord with the flow and rhythm of the Universe, which is unmoved even by today's chaos. 

The power of Zen Art is that it radiates kiai. In calligraphy this quality is called bokki, the ki in the ink, and can be perhaps described as the shine and depth of a line. Chozen-ji co-founder Omori Sogen Rotaishi wrote, “When a Zen calligrapher pours his or her spirit into each stroke, every line becomes a vibrant force. Zen is the art of kiai.” In ceramics this quality of radiating kiai, is called dokki, ki of the earth

Though not all of the pieces in Chozen-ji's 2020 Art Sale are Zen Art, they were all made by students and teachers training in their art as a Way. I hope that their effort and the sincerity of their training comes through and reminds you of the kiai of Chozen-ji.