Japanese print No5. - Emptiness - Kū by Marieke Jolink

About "Japanese print No5. - Emptiness - Kū"

by Marieke Jolink

About the artwork

Japanese print No5

This is No5 from the Japanese prints series.
This design is inspired by Japanese culture. It looks at the 5 elements of nature and traditional Japanese prints/patterns and their meaning.

Each print reflects 4 aspects:
- the colour palette
- 1 of the 5 elements
- a Haiku based on the element in question
- a combination of different patterns and shapes from Japanese culture

The Haiku in this design is based on Emptiness - Kū
A Haiku is a short non-rhyming poem. The basis of a haiku is the poet's sensory experience. A haiku often consists of three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables.

The sun breaks through
On the edge of sky and water
Silver leaks into the sea

GODAI : 5 ELEMENTS
According to the Five Elements Philosophy, everything in the universe is a manifestation of these five elements; nothing consists of one element, but is a complex combination of all five elements.

Earth
Chi: represents the solid objects on earth. Such as rocks and mountains that do not move, grow or change, without the help of other elements.

Water
Sui: represents all liquid, shapeless things in the world. Like seas, rivers, plants, change of seasons.

Fire
Ka: represents the agile, high-energy objects, represented by animals.

Wind
Fū: represents things in a gaseous state, possessing freedom of movement and expanding nature.
Man himself grows mentally in terms of knowledge, experiences and personality.

Void
Kū: is often translated as 'emptiness', but also means 'air' or 'sky'. This element represents things beyond everyday experience e.g. meditation