Golden Grain Tathagata

JAPAN; Meiji period

Golden Grain Tathagata was the name belonging to one of the Buddhas of the past, and specifically refers to the past life of Vimalakirti.
The four connecting characters of this seal are laid out with broken edges that are left intentionally untouched to look natural, creating a fuller outlook. Emulating the strokes of a calligraphy brush, the knife was maneuvered with great ease. Traces of Xu Sangeng’s style can be observed in the seal script used in this piece. The contrast of positive and negative space creates a lively and compelling composition.
Nakamura Randai was originally named Inayoshi and was also known as Hakuhyo. He was a seal engraver of the Meiji period (1868–1912). Born in Aizuwakamatsu (present day Fukushima), he later moved to Edo (present day Tokyo). Initially he followed the styles of Ryokuun Takada, Wen Sanqiao, and He Zheng, later taking an interest in the works of Xu Sangeng and the techniques of the Zhejiang school and Han seals. He authored Seal Collection of Randai and was the founder of the Teibi Insha Seal Engravers Society in Japan.