Clouds and Dew c. 18th century

Ryū Kōbi created "Clouds and Dew" with ink on paper sometime in the 18th century. This artwork is an exquisite example of Japanese calligraphy, where the characters themselves become art. The writing speaks of clouds, dew, and other ephemeral atmospheric phenomena. Such elements are core to the Japanese aesthetic, representing the transient nature of life. The motif of clouds, for example, is not merely meteorological; it is a symbol of transformation and the shifting, dreamlike quality of existence. Consider the swirling clouds in ancient Chinese bronzes, or the billowing robes of Buddhist deities in countless paintings across Asia. Here, the cloud motif resurfaces, reinterpreted through the artist's brush. It echoes through time, a potent reminder of the intangible forces that shape our world, engaging our senses with the sublime. The image evokes a deeply ingrained sense of the cyclical nature of life. It illustrates how the ephemeral and the eternal are intertwined, constantly evolving and reforming in the collective consciousness.