"Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works : Later Period [Situations]" is filled with fun and breaks the barrier of high expectations often associated with calligraphy exhibitions. I had the pleasure of viewing it while chatting with the enthusiastic committee members who are passionate about Kyuyo's works.
Following up on vol.1, which introduced works from his 20s, this article will showcase works from his 30s and 40s that increasingly give a pictorial impression, as well as Kyuyo's calligraphic representations of the haiku by Hekigoto Kawahigashi, a poet Kyuyo considers the pinnacle of modernity.
The Surrealistic Atmosphere Evoked by Oracle Bone Script
This calligraphy, "Paradox, Shadows, Cross (Triptych)," gives an impression akin to paintings from the surrealist to cubist periods. Feeling the lines reminiscent of Klee and Kandinsky, I paused to decipher what was written.
A cross, understood. Shadows, oh, I get it. Paradox? Paradox?? Ah, upside down!! Wow, this is fun!! This is how I proceeded through the third room.
This slightly pop-style script is based on oracle bone script, which was also used by Kobo Daishi Kukai in his works.
Creating works by learning from something seems to involve actively walking the path paved by predecessors and further pioneering it.
This piece, which seems to go beyond oracle bone script, looks as if it was modeled after something viewed under a microscope.
Although there are Chinese characters added to the lower right of each symbol, it is still challenging to figure out what each symbol represents. Even when you focus and trace the lines carefully, it’s fascinating how they form a particular symbol.
Rather than trying to decipher it closely, I felt that the best way to grasp the words was to take a step back and look at the whole picture.
In stark contrast, this piece features bold and powerful brushstrokes. Unlike the pop and cute atmosphere of the previous works, this one conveys a somewhat ominous, negative heat and pressure.
Even though it follows the shape of oracle bone script, the air emitted by the words changes drastically depending on their meaning. This is indeed because it expresses "words" rather than mere "letters."
It felt as though I was immersed in a surrealist artwork by a European painter, experiencing the atmosphere and temperature of the scene.
The Scenic Words of “Free Verse Haiku”
The fourth room showcases haiku by Hekigoto Kawahigashi, who is also known for his excellent calligraphy works. Kyuyo considers Hekigoto as the pinnacle of modernity and owns several of his works.
Shaburo's haiku, which break away from the traditional 5-7-5 syllable pattern, often depict everyday scenes and contain words that leave a lingering impression.
Among the exhibits, the red frames are preparatory sketches made with markers. They have a somewhat Western artistic impression, reminiscent of sketches or line drawings by Western artists. It felt almost as if I had seen them in a Western art museum.
These pieces, which seem to depict landscapes and scenes, are actually written words. Tracing the shapes of each symbol, you can see the structure of kanji and kana. Even when recognized as characters, they still look like pictures from a distance.
"Distant Fireworks Sound, Nothing There" gives an impression of a sky where fireworks were launched. Hearing the sound but seeing nothing in the sky evokes a sense of melancholy.
The trembling lines, which seem to be a technique to give a pictorial impression, incorporate calligraphy techniques honed over many years. It's profoundly deep.
"Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works : Later Period [Situations]" is Running Until July 28 at Ueno no Mori Art Museum
The content-rich Ishikawa Kyuyo Taizen Exhibition offers a new way to enjoy calligraphy and is running at Ueno no Mori Art Museum until July 28, 2024.
Many visitors from overseas were also seen enjoying the exhibition. It's not just about experiencing the culture of calligraphy, but also about enjoying it as a deep entertainment.
You can spend about three hours thoroughly immersing yourself in the works, discovering new things each time you see them.
Official Site of "Kyuyo Ishikawa complete works"
Purchase Tickets Here
