Ishikawa Kyuyoh Exhibition

This spring, Shibunkaku is proud to host an exhibition focusing on the art of Ishikawa Kyuyoh, one of Japan’s leading contemporary calligraphers.
 
Ishikawa Kyuyoh’s works capture the essence embedded in words, drawing from the rich history cultivated in East Asia, and present it to us as a living expression. His calligraphy exudes a unique presence with its delicate yet overwhelming power. This exhibition is divided into two parts and is unprecedented in scale for our gallery.
 
Part I, starting from April 18, will feature representative works from the 1970s “Gray Era,” as well as his monumental series Tale of Genji I, consisting of fifty-five full chapters, which challenged classical literature while rejecting established calligraphic sentiment.
Part II, beginning on May 17, will offer a comprehensive overview of Ishikawa Kyuyoh’s representative works from each era, showcasing his artistic journey from the earliest creations to his latest masterpieces.
 
We warmly invite you to visit the exhibition and immerse yourself in the history and world of Ishikawa Kyuyoh’s unique expression.
 
 
Exhibition Website

Calligrapher
 
Born in Fukui Prefecture, Japan in 1945. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University. After serving as a professor at Kyoto Seika University and the director of the Institute for Writing and Civilizations, he is now an emeritus professor at the same university. Ishikawa has elucidated the concept that “calligraphy is the art of brush touch (using the term ‘taction’),” and interprets the structure and history of calligraphy. As a critic, he is also active in discussions on the Japanese language and culture, which have had a significant impact across various fields. In both his artistic creations and written works, Ishikawa continues to produce cutting-edge expressions and insights. His body of work includes over 2,000 calligraphic pieces and more than 100 published books.