Although it is a calligraphy work, "Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works : Later Period [Situations]" gives an impression similar to a painting, drawing me in.
This is the second part of an exhibition featuring the extensive works of Kyuyo Ishikawa , who encountered calligraphy at the age of 5 and continues his journey as a calligrapher and calligraphy historian at 79. I had the pleasure of enjoying this exhibition while talking with the organizers who are passionate about Kyuyo's works. In this Vol.1, I will introduce particularly notable works from Kyuyo's twenties to early thirties, a period during which he passionately pursued the expression of words.
Some may find calligraphy exhibitions intimidating, but this event, organized by those captivated by Kyuyo's works, was filled with an unexpected sense of enjoyment. It's always nice to witness a project brimming with love.
The Desire to Convey Words of Thinkers and Poets in "Their Utmost Correct Form"
In the first room, you'll find works that go beyond simply tracing words, instead, they express the intense emotions and thoughts of poets and thinkers.
Calligraphy is about "writing words, not just characters."
Source: Official site of "Kyuyo Ishikawa Complete works "
Many of the works defy the conventional wisdom and cultural perceptions of what calligraphy should be.
Kyuyo frequently used the words of poet Tanikawa Garin in his calligraphy, sometimes creating multiple pieces based on the same words.
Through the filter of Ishikawa Kyuyo, one can feel the struggle and passion in trying to find a more appropriate expression of the words of poets and thinkers.
"Fragments of Fissures" is a work where ink is absorbed into paper and collaged with newspapers, with the ink part scratched to create the writing.
Focusing on the color tones of the words used in the collage above and below the ink, you can sense the distortions and fissures that existed in the twenty years after the war.
The Relationship with "God" and the Everyday World
"Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani" are the words Jesus Christ spoke when he was crucified. In Hebrew, it means "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
"Eli, Eli, Lema Sabachthani or the Death Piece" spans 85 meters, expressing the words that follow. The first room displays only the introduction of this long work.
In the second room, there are works related to Christianity, such as the Gospel of Mark, which records the words of Jesus. Although Kyuyo became more distant from faith over the years, it was something close to him in his younger days.
The study for the series "Stray Birds Fly" is captivating, with various techniques tried in each piece.
The movement of the brush and the force applied change the expression of the lines, and the blurring and smudging of the ink make one curious about how they were created.
After the studies, the completed work has a different expression. The way space is used, the background color, and the orientation of the words are all intriguing, prompting a closer look.
The contrast and shading of the lines raise questions about the perspective from which they were added. Experiencing the atmosphere emitted by the actual work seems enjoyable.
The first public display in Japan of "Everyday Verbs." Although it is calligraphy, it has the charm of a painting. The red color, close to pink, gives a somewhat pop impression and was applied from the back to make it seep through.
Within the form that somewhat resembles an animal, everyday verbs are written. How many words can you find?
It might be fun to visit with children and enjoy word hunting as a game.
"White Night Diary," framed with symbolic lines, has a Japanese surrealistic atmosphere.
This work also has an element of modern art, with lottery and ballgame tickets attached to it. Perhaps it reflects a bit of the extraordinary in the ordinary, as the title suggests.
Combining elements with calligraphy is something I had not imagined, making it very interesting.
"Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works: Later Period [Situations]" is being held at the Ueno Royal Museum
"Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works: Later Period [Situations]" is currently being held at the Ueno Royal Museum until July 28, 2024.
Even though it is titled "Later Period," you can fully enjoy it without having seen the earlier period. If you are interested, please visit.
Although it coincides with the beginning of children's summer vacation, it is a perfect time for making it a subject of their homework. Searching for letters and words in the works, thinking about what they feel and discover, enjoying it from a perspective of free research with parents seems delightful.
Official Site of "Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works"
Purchase Tickets Here
In the next volume, vol.2, we will touch on works from Kyuyo's thirties to forties and those that incorporate free-form haiku.
