"Abiding Nowhere, the Awakened Mind Arises” 1300 - 1333

"Abiding Nowhere, the Awakened Mind Arises", a hanging scroll by the influential Zen monk Musō Soseki (1275–1351), is an exemplary work of Japanese calligraphy, or *shodo*, from the early 14th century. The work, now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is composed of flowing, bold strokes of black ink on paper, creating a striking contrast against the pale ground. The text itself is a Zen poem reflecting on the nature of enlightenment and the illusory nature of the world. While Soseki is well-known for his garden design, his calligraphy was also highly esteemed.