Approximate Measurements
Artwork Panel: 31.7cm x 32cm ≈ 12½" x 12½"
Silk/Brocade: 41.1cm x 87.8cm ≈ 16¼" x 34½"
Width at Wooden Knobs: 50.1cm ≈ 19¾"
Close up view of the calligraphy artwork mounted to this silk brocade wall scroll
Japanese Kanji / Chinese / Korean Hanja Character Wall Scroll
This Chinese Character and Japanese Kanji means benevolence.
Beyond "benevolence" this character can be also be defined as "charity" or "mercy" depending on context.
The deeper meaning suggests that one should pay alms to the poor, care for those in trouble, and take care of his fellow man (or woman).
This is one of the five tenets of Confucius. In fact, it is a subject in which Confucius spent a great deal of time explaining to his disciples. From that philosophy, this character became part of the Bushido (Way of the Warrior, or Samurai Code) in Japan.
I have also seen this benevolent-related word translated as perfect virtue, selflessness, love for humanity, humaneness, goodness, good will, or simply "love" in the non-romantic form.
The calligraphy was done using black Chinese ink on xuan paper (known incorrectly in the west as "rice paper"). The raw artwork was then taken to our Wall Scroll Workshop where it was laminated to more sheets of xuan paper, and built into a beautiful portrait with silk brocade border.
This calligraphy was created by Li Dan-Qing of Beijing. He's an older gentleman who has been involved with the art community of China, all of his life. Now in retirement, he creates calligraphy for us for sort of "hobby income".