Japanese culture of calligraphy finding a place in Europe Date: 1 Jun. – 5 Jul. 2015

The carved characters that were the theme of this shodo calligraphy exhibit in Pilsen are one of the modes of expression of shodo that features aesthetic carving of characters into material such as wood. Unlike work done in brush, it is characteristically a three-dimensional form of expression. Making use of coloration, it is also deeply connected with crafts and such arts as sculpture, and is attracting attention as a new avenue of shodo. Focusing particularly on carvings and folding fans, this Pilsner exhibit proved a landmark show such as has rarely ever been put on in Japan. Shodo exhibitions and classes have found a reception in Pilsner over the past some decades, and the opening of this exhibition featuring wide-ranging modes of calligraphic expression other than the brush generated keen interest and drew a large and enthusiastic crowd. With the assistance of Tosen Usuda, representative of the International Shodo Cultural Development Council, the exhibit featured the work of fifty artists. For those of us living in an age brimming with simple icons and images, this exhibition prompting “readings” of the primal messages in the respiration and emotions of these artists as one engages carefully with their work made for a significant project looking back over our daily routines.

Venue:

The Jiri Trnka Gallery

Artists:

USUDA TOSEN, USUDA　RUGEN, HIRAYAMA　MIDORI, UKITA　MINORU, HORI　SUIDO,　ANZAI　YOSHIKO, WATANABE　MICHIKO, HATSUMI　TAISEI, MARUYAMA　YOHI, ASANO　KOSEI, IKEYAMA　KOSHU, TOYAMA　RIEI, MIKI　SUIKO, SHIMAMOTO　HAKUSHU, KAYANUMA　KOCHIKU, NISHIHARA　KEIGYOKU, KONDO　SAIKA, AKASHI　SHINDO, MIURA　JUKO, INOUE　TODO, OCHIAI　KOSEI, HORIUCHI　GENRO, IIDA　KEIKO, SAITO　SEICHO, GOTO　TAIHO, HATSUZAWA　WADO, SAITO　ZUISEN, WATANABE　KAEN, HIRAI　KOSHU, YODA　GYOSHU, SATOYAMA　SHOGEN, SAGAWA　UNSO, SAGAWA　KOKI, HIRATA　SEISHU, IOKA　HIROMI, MIZUNO　JUNKO, MOTOKI　FUJIE, WATANABE　SEIKO, YAZAWA　FUJIO, YOSHIZAKI　TSUTOMU, KATO　HIROSHI, NISHIYAMA　SHURAN, SANO　KEISETSU, TADOKORO　KOFU, ISHI　AKIKO, KIMIZUKA　JOKEI, SANTO　MICHIKO, YAMASHITA　RANTEI, ARAI　CHIKEI