MUGOKU Creation

🌿 Xieyi Painting · The Rootless Tree —Chapter 24, Verse 89: Stillness in Bloom

From the luminous stillness at the center of the water,a single flower rises straight upward. It does not waver,it does not resist—it simply stands as it is,and from its presence, gentle ripples spread. This Xieyi painting is inspired by ''The Rootless Tree: One Hundred Verses — Verse 89.'' It depicts Stillness in Bloom:life that quietly blossoms at the heart of stillness,and harmony that arises through non-forcing. The flower symbolizes one's true nature,while the expanding ripples express the subtle yet profound influence of Wu Wei upon the world.

🌿 Xieyi Painting · The Rootless Tree —Verse 50: Rootless Bloom

Within a softly glowing sky,a single tree stands in silence.Rootless, its branches twist and bend,and yet one white flower quietly bloomsbetween heaven and earth. This Xieyi painting is inspired by''The Rootless Tree: 100 Verses — Verse 50.'' It expresses the strength of standing without fixed ground,the vitality that emerges beyond form,and the sign of life that appears without resistance or attachment. The tree does not oppose the wind,nor does it cling to the soil.And yet, when the time is right,the flower appears—naturally, inevitably. To be rootless is not a lack,but perhaps a freedom that allows one to connect with all things.

🌿 Xieyi Painting · The Rootless Tree —Verse 11: Stillness in Bloom

In the deep ocean of blue qi,a single lotus softly glows from within. Rootless,free from grasping or desire,it blooms naturally in silence— embodying the Taoist truth that　''true fulfillment arises through non-action.'' This xieyi painting is inspired byThe Rootless Tree: One Hundred Verses — Verse 11, expressingthe generative force dwelling in stillness,and the beauty that appears when the mind is free of desire. The lotus has long symbolized purity—remaining unstained even when born from murky waters. Here, it reflects not only spiritual cultivation,but a way of being within everyday life. A quiet talismanic image,this work gently calms the breathand attunes the inner flow of qi.

🌿 Xieyi Painting · The Rootless Tree — Verse 30: Illumined Rootlessness

Within profound stillness,a single lotus blooms, embraced by golden light.Though its roots appear to reach the earth,its true being remains unbound,existing simply as presence itself. Verse 30 of The Rootless Tree: One Hundred Versesspeaks of a state where nothing is forced,nothing is sought,yet everything is naturally fulfilled. In this xieyi painting,light is not something bestowed from outside,but a quiet radiance arising from inner virtue. The roots extend as symbols,yet what truly sustains the form is not attachment,but a way of being grounded in wu wei—non-action, non-grasping, non-mind. When placed within a space,this work does not assert itself,yet gently clarifies the surrounding qi,guiding the viewer toward calm lucidity.

🌿 Xieyi Painting · The Rootless Tree —Chapter 15: Wu Wei Navigation

Upon the still surface of the night,a lotus glows with gentle light.Within the moon, a rootless tree drifts,while a sailboat moves on without a chosen destination. This Xieyi painting is inspired byChapter 15 of The Rootless Tree: 24 Chapters, expressing movement without striving,freedom beyond attachment,and the Dao as a living flow. The rootless tree within the moon does not signify loss,but consciousness unbound by support or control.The lotus reflected on the waterreveals clarity born not from action,but from a state of being. The boat is not steered.It entrusts itself to wind and water,yet surely continues within the current of the Dao. This work does not depict the will to advance,but a quiet moment in which advancement is already happening. When placed within a space,the painting gently settles thought,returning the viewer's breath and mind to the natural rhythm of the Way.

🌿The Rootless Tree: One Hundred Verses — Outer Verse 8 | Xieyi Painting

Within a deep field of green qi,a single flower quietly radiates light. A tree grows in gentle twists,while bamboo rises straight toward the sky. This Xieyi painting is inspired byOuter Verse 8 of The Rootless Tree: One Hundred Verses,expressing generation within stillness,light within shadow, and life as harmony. The flower symbolizes awakening and insight.Bamboo, hollow yet jointed, represents flexibility and inner emptiness.The twisted tree reflects the human path—shaped by time, experience, and breath. Nothing here stands in opposition.All elements resonate together,forming a single field of living qi. This work does not seek to persuade or explain.Placed within a space,it simply invites quiet balance—gently attuning the viewer's breath, mind, and presence.

🌿Xieyi・The Rootless Tree:100 Verses-Verse 60#596

New for 2026. A blue flower blooms upon a rootless tree. Qi moves in accordance with the heart, and flows freely with the wind. When yin and yang are in harmony, the circulation of qi is endless. In non-action and without desire, nothing remains unattainable. This Xieyi painting is inspired by Verse 60 of The Rootless Tree: 100 Verses. Through flowing ink, open space, and stillness, it expresses a way of being that is not bound by fixed form. The tree stands without roots, entrusting itself to wind and qi. The blue flower quietly embodies the breath of spring— a sign of renewal, growth, and inner clarity. This is not an image meant to explain, but one meant to resonate. When placed in a space, it gently alters the atmosphere— inviting calm, balance, and silent movement within.

Happy New Year.

Xieyi painting has been created since ancient China as a symbolic form deeply connected to Taoist thought. Traditionally, symbols were integrated into fluid ink paintings and gently colored, forming smooth and continuous expressions. In modern times, Xieyi is often expressed as a visual art incorporating the influences of Feng Shui and symbolic forms.

The image on the first began as a monochrome ink painting, originally drawn as a symbolic mark. It was then scanned and digitally refined using Photoshop, where I apply my own methods and effects to achieve a dreamlike and exceptionally smooth surface—smoothness being a crucial element.

In my creative process, compositions are first formed in ink. I interpret Tao codes from philosophical poetry, landscapes, and various natural and conceptual sources, translating them into symbolic forms. These are later developed into multicolored works. In ancient times, pigments were made by dissolving minerals in water; today, I continue this pursuit of refinement through digital processes.

By scanning the original ink painting and applying layered effects, I seek a level of smoothness equivalent to traditional ink flow. Through this process, I deepen my interpretation of Tao codes and integrate talismanic symbols and Feng Shui principles, completing the work as a contemporary Xieyi painting.

🌿Xieyi Painting・The Rootless Tree:24 Chapters-Chapter 6-Centering Qi

🌿The Rootless Tree – Chapter 6 speaks of the subtle illumination that appears only when the mind becomes still. This chapter describes the moment when inner chaos dissolves, and pure awareness rises from within — a return to the source where truth becomes visible once more. unfolding into expanding rings of light and breath. The brushwork moves slowly, like ripples across still water — expressing both the inward gathering of qi and its gentle outward release. the stabilizing energy that grounds the mind, restores balance, and quiets emotional turbulence. It is ideal for meditation rooms, bedrooms, reading spaces, or any environment where calm focus is desired. bringing grounding, nourishment, and stability. The gentle gradient from darkness to light clears stagnant qi, inviting harmony and inner renewal. a center of calm that gathers your scattered thoughts and restores the gentle rhythm of your heart.

🌿 The Rootless Tree – Chapter 24, Verse 9: The Returning Cycle

In Daoist philosophy, every departure silently carries the seed of return. In The Rootless Tree – Chapter 24, Verse 9, the movement and stillness entwine — what flows outward eventually gathers, what spreads apart returns to unity. This painting honors the spiral of transformation, where separation becomes reunion and emptiness becomes fullness. The composition draws a wide arc — ink flows outward then loops gently back, while subtle gold threads trace the trajectory of return. The space opens and closes simultaneously, inviting the viewer into the rhythm of departure and reunion, of dissolution and emergence. This painting embodies the cycle of Returning Qi (Huan Qi) — the energy of restoration, integration, and wholeness. It is ideal for spaces that seek grounding and renewal, such as entrance halls, private retreats, or contemplative corners. The golden highlights resonate with the Metal element, refining clarity and precision, while the flowing ink clears stagnation and beckons continuous movement. May this painting serve as a silent talisman — a visual conduit of Qi that brings return into being, reminding us that separation and reunion are but two aspects of the same movement.

🌿 The Rootless Tree – Verse 29: The Returning Current

In Dao philosophy, what departs must return, and what rises must fall. The Rootless Tree – Verse 29 expresses the rhythm of circulation — the eternal cycle between movement and rest, fullness and emptiness. It reminds us that stillness is not the absence of motion, but the return of flow to its source. The composition turns inward — soft, concentric forms drawn with layered ink suggest the returning breath of Qi. The gold traces at the edges glow faintly, evoking the moment when dispersing energy reunites with its origin. The painting invites the viewer to perceive the subtle pulse of return, where the circle of being closes into silence. This artwork embodies Returning Qi (Huan Qi) — the energy of renewal, grounding, and integration. It harmonizes spaces that require balance and calm, such as meditation rooms, tea rooms, or private retreats. The circular flow corresponds to the Water element, dissolving tension and restoring continuity of spirit. May this painting serve as a silent talisman — a vessel of returning Qi that gathers the scattered and restores unity to the heart and the space it inhabits.

🌿 The Rootless Tree – Verse 31: Flames Rise and Become Void

A scarlet bloom flares on a rootless tree; devouring fire turns to emptiness at once. No regret, no resentment, nothing to fear—freely it walks, entrusted to Heaven's decree. In the visual composition, the fierce scarlet bloom rises from dense black ink, then dissolves into soft gray mists and pale gold glimmers. The painting evokes the cycle of burning passion and silent transcendence, inviting the viewer into the space where form dissolves and the spirit walks freely. This piece embodies Ascending Void Qi (Sheng Xu Qi) — the formation of emptiness through transcendence, the liberation of energy into space. It is suited to spaces of reflection and renewal: a quiet study, a contemplative lounge, or the foyer of a mindful home. The gold tones align with the Metal element, symbolizing clarity and precision, while the shift from dark to light purges stagnation and opens transformation. May this painting serve as a silent talisman — a vessel of transformation where fire becomes void and the spirit walks free under Heaven's decree.

🌿 The Rootless Tree – Verse 39: The Quiet Pulse of Season's Flow

In the turning of the seasons, the rootless tree does not resist the change—it breathes with the cycle, allowing leaves to fall and blossoms to rise. Verse 39 whispers the hidden rhythm of nature, where endings are beginnings and stillness itself carries motion. The composition grounds itself in dark, rich ink at the base, rising into soft greys and pale golds that mirror the fleeting hues of autumn turning to winter. The brushwork speaks of a slow, inevitable shift—of letting go, of allowing renewal. The viewer is invited into a meditative space where time itself slows and the soul attunes to the quiet movement of the unseen. This work embodies Seasonal Flow Qi (Ji Líu Qì) — the energy of graceful transition, transformation, and the beauty of letting become. It is perfectly suited for spaces where reflection, change, and renewal are honored: a reading nook, a quiet lounge, or an open studio. The pale gold tones reflect the Metal element, instilling clarity and precision, while the layered ink grounds and anchors the spirit through change. May this painting serve as a silent talisman — a vessel of the quiet pulses of seasons, reminding us that every change holds within it the seed of renewal.

🌿 The Rootless Tree:24 Chapters – Appendix II-Golden Ascending Blossom

Bathed in gentle sunlight,a single flower rises from the earth and ascends quietly above the clouds. This xieyi-style artwork reflects the spirit of The Rootless Tree – Appendix Series,symbolizing the moment when life transcends its own roots and begins to rise. The flowers on the ground represent early potential,while the golden blossom floating upward expresses the completion of inner refinement. This composition visualizes the Taoist transformation of "Essence → Qi → Spirit" (精・気・神),emphasizing that true elevation is not achieved through force,but through natural inner maturation. The sun illuminating the clouds, the golden petals’ ascent—all create an atmosphere of clarity, serenity, and spiritual brightness. Ideal for meditation spaces, studies, or environments that seek harmony and quiet inspiration.

🌿 The Rootless Tree – 100 Verses #54: The Still Flow of Light

In Dao philosophy, all manifestation arises from stillness. The Rootless Tree – Verse 54 reveals the tranquil circulation of light — a flow that begins in silence and unfolds into subtle radiance. It speaks of inner harmony, where motion exists within quietude and clarity within depth. The composition expands outward from a calm center, where layers of ink and faint gold breathe like ripples of Qi. The brushwork neither ascends nor descends but circulates — a rhythmic balance of Yin and Yang. Through this restrained movement, the painting conveys still flow, the unseen pulse of existence. This work embodies Balancing Qi (Ping Qi) — the energy of equilibrium and centered awareness. It is ideal for meditation rooms, living spaces, or any environment seeking composure and mental clarity. The muted gold resonates with the Earth element, grounding energy and nurturing calm stability. May this painting serve as a silent talisman — a vessel of Qi that connects stillness and movement, anchoring peace within the surrounding space. \n

🌿 For more details on the work → https://www.mugoku.com/en/100-054286/

🌿Xieyi・The Rootless Tree:100 Verses-Verse 92#297｜Hidden Clarity(Yin-Zhao Ming)

n the philosophy of the Dao, the wisdom of Verse 92 speaks of the subtle turning of fate — the moment when clarity and confusion exchange their places like shifting mist. The verse reminds us that the world is never fixed; insight appears and disappears in cycles, just as the breath rises and returns. This painting expresses that transformation through calligraphy-like strokes and the interplay of light and shadow. The ink spreads in layers of drifting motion, suggesting both emergence and dissolution — the quiet pulse of the unseen world. The luminous center represents the spark of awareness that rises within stillness, while the surrounding forms echo the rhythm of uncertainty and release. From a feng shui perspective, this artwork carries the energy of Hidden Clarity(Yin-Zhao Ming) — a quality that supports intuition, reflection, and inner vision. It is ideal for meditation rooms, workspaces, or any environment where deeper insight is needed. The balanced movement of dark and light helps clear mental stagnation and enhances subtle awareness. May this painting act as a quiet talisman, guiding the viewer toward the clarity that emerges from the turning of the heart.\n

🌿 For more details on the work → https://www.mugoku.com/en/100-092297/