Motifs

Each Mikofu motif is printed one at a time. The motifs come from Japanese nature, kept as simple as possible — the empty space around them matters as much as the line.

Here are the motifs currently available as prints, on paper or wood.

Nami — wave — nami motif
Yuki — snow — yuki motif
Tsuki — moon — tsuki motif
Ma — emptiness — ma motif

Manegative space

The empty space around a motif matters as much as the line itself. It is where the room gets to breathe.

Fuji — Mount Fuji — fuji motif

FujiMount Fuji

Mount Fuji is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Umi — sea — umi motif

Umiocean

The ocean is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Kaze — wind — kaze motif
Ishi — stone — ishi motif

Ishistone

The stone is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Matsu — pine — matsu motif

Matsupine

The pine is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Hoshi — star — hoshi motif

Hoshistar

The star is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Sora — sky — sora motif

Sorasky

The sky is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Kawa — river — kawa motif

Kawariver

The river is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Ensō — a single incomplete circle, sumi ink on warm off-white

Ensocircle

The circle is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Ryū — a dragon suggested by a single continuous ink brush stroke, sumi ink on warm off-white

Ryudragon

The dragon is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Take — bamboo, a single culm in sumi ink on warm off-white

Takebamboo

The bamboo is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Ame — rain, ripples on still water in sumi ink on warm off-white

Amerain

The rain is printed as a single motif, with empty space around it.

Samurai — Stillness

Samuraikneeling figure

A figure kneeling, still. The stillness is the subject.

Kabuto — Helmet

Kabutohelmet

An empty helmet at rest. The warrior is elsewhere.

Ichi-go Ichi-e — One Encounter

Ichigoichieone encounter

One meeting, once. Then never again quite the same.

Wa — Harmony
Nana Korobi Ya Oki — Resilience
Ghost — Mikofu
Engawa motif print

Engawarain

A figure seen from behind, still in the rain.

Ume
Susuki
Michi — The Way
Horizon
Dragonring — dragon in a ring

Dragonringdragon in a ring

The dragon bends into a ring, almost an ensō.

Kaeru — frog
Ishibashi — stone bridge
Tsuru — cranes
Shiro — castle
Chikurin — bamboo grove
Torii — gate