Every year in Japan the emperor sets a theme for the New Year – this is called CHOKUDAI. This is also the theme for the Imperial poetry contest. The theme for the New Year 2013 is:

TATSU 立 – to stand.

The Roshi wrote the above calligraphy in response to this theme. He used the words by Rinzai Gigen Zenji:

Wherever I stand, that is the true place.
立処御皆眞