左右／Left, Right

言葉の世界には東西、上下、陰陽、生死など無数の対立概念が存在する。その中で、できる限り単純な線で成り立つ文字として左右を選んだ。左右は方向を示すだけでなく、右手と左手が組まれ、祈りや包み込む行為を想起させる。筆を重ねるうち、そこには対立ではなく、寄り添い支え合う関係性が見えてきた。In the world of language, there are countless opposing concepts—such as East and West, up and down, yin and yang, and life and death. Among these, I chose “left and right” as characters composed of the simplest possible lines. “Left” and “right” not only indicate direction but also, when the right and left hands are joined, evoke images of prayer and the act of embracing. As I continued to apply brushstrokes, I began to see not a conflict, but a relationship of mutual support and closeness. 左：左手の形に道具を指す「工」を組み合わせた形。儀式で神をよぶ 呪具は左の手に持った。 右：右手の形に「口」（さい）を組み合わせた文字。「右」とは、神さまのありかを探すために口（サイ）を右手に持った様子を表す。Left: A character formed by combining the shape of the left hand with the character “工” (meaning “tool”). In rituals, the ritual implement used to summon the gods was held in the left hand. Right: A character formed by combining the shape of the right hand with the character “口” (container for prayer). The character “右” depicts the act of holding the container in the right hand to search for the dwelling place of the gods.