Seiun

Crafted from bamboo roots, branches, rope, and split chunks, Seiun embodies Yufu Shohaku’s sculptural approach to basketry—dynamic, raw, and meditative. The rough-plaited structure and powerful form evoke a sense of natural energy held in stillness.

“Seiun” refers not only to the clouds drifting across a clear blue sky,

but also carries a classical connotation of lofty ambition and aspiration.

This work emanates a quiet sense of elevation and a dignified poetic spirit.

It is also very much a Kyushu-style basket, characterized by bold use of large bamboo segments and rope—materials that give rise to the gentle presence of a “Peaceful Cloud,” as the title suggests.

The use of rope is one of Yufu’s signature elements. In Japanese culture, rope—like rocks—carries profound symbolic meaning, often representing connection, boundary, or sacredness. This detail enriches the spiritual dimension of the work.