noun
calligraphy; penmanship; writing (esp. of a Zen monk)
Often refers to the brushwork or written characters of a Zen monk, valued as art or spiritual expression. Can also refer to penmanship in general.
この墨跡は有名な禅僧のものです。
This calligraphy is by a famous Zen monk.
彼の墨跡には力強さが感じられる。
His penmanship conveys a sense of strength.
墨 (ink) + 跡 (trace/mark). The variant 墨蹟 uses 蹟 (footprint/trace), which is a less common character for 'trace' but carries a similar meaning.