Excellent vintage condition. There are no noticeable stains, tears, or significant signs of wear. The calligraphy remains crisp, and the silk brocade mounting is well preserved. Measures approximately 174 × 55 cm.
This Japanese calligraphy hanging scroll dates to the 1960s and presents a traditional moral teaching based on the Tōshōgū Legacy (Tōshōgū Goi-kun / 東照宮御遺訓), a collection of ethical maxims traditionally attributed to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Executed in bold black ink on paper with an elegant silk brocade mounting, the scroll was created as both a work of calligraphic art and a reminder of timeless virtues.
The inscription is presented under the title 東照宮公遺訓 ("Legacy of Tōshōgū") and is signed 竹山書 ("Written by Chikuzan"). The text emphasizes humility, patience, moderation, self-discipline, and personal responsibility—principles long associated with traditional Japanese ethics and the enduring legacy of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Following the Second World War, moral and philosophical calligraphy scrolls of this type became especially popular throughout Japan. They were commonly displayed in homes, schools, martial arts dōjō, businesses, and reception rooms as daily reminders of discipline, integrity, and respectful conduct. Their combination of meaningful text and expressive brushwork made them both decorative and inspirational.
Rendered in confident brushstrokes and mounted in a classic kakejiku format, this scroll reflects the postwar revival of traditional Japanese calligraphy and the continued appreciation for historical teachings in modern Japan.
A beautifully preserved Shōwa-period calligraphy scroll that combines refined brushwork with one of Japan's best-known ethical traditions, making it an excellent addition to any collection of Japanese art, calligraphy, or cultural history.
