朱 means 'scarlet'

Nature abounds in these essays, including blood-red sunsets, brightly colored birds, and fall foliage. Logically, art forms such as painting, calligraphy, and lacquering also emerge as central themes. But who would have guessed that color ties in with many body parts: blood, the eye, lips, skin, cells, and even a point where energy is concentrated. Mental states also matter here with faces flushed with rage, diligence in work, depression and lifelessness, and vitality. Moreover, multiple essays touch on religion, minerals (including one ingested for longevity), and old forms of currency (one of which was chocolate!).

Japanese calligraphy reflects the state of an artist's mind, spirit, and body. In one novel, a character studies her father's brushstrokes to assess his health. Applying ink to paper is soulful; one leaves behind traces of oneself that way. As essay 1821 shows, Zen has influenced sumi-e (ink paintings). That essay examines calligraphy and sumi-e from all angles, as do the other essays to some degree, including the way to liquefy inksticks (a meditative practice), the red marks with which teachers correct calligraphy, the vermilion stamps that serve as calligraphers' signatures, and the significance of bold strokes versus diluted ones.