Seeing Calligraphy, Knowing Calligraphy Ⅱ
Seeing Calligraphy, Knowing Calligraphy Ⅱ
In this section we present kana works by Akiyama Kazuya and kanji works by Ohashi Hiroyuki. Kana is a writing form that was created in Japan and reached its aesthetic pinnacle in the Heian period. By using kuzushiji linked characters and uneven starting and ending points of lines, and at times diagonal lines of text, all characteristics of chirashi gaki, literally scattered writing, calligraphiers produce distinctive and often unique forms of expression. These works are also known for their lovely flowing lines and thin coiling lines.
Akiyama's works can be generally divided into two types. First, his works faithfully transcribing classic texts in small characters, and second, his more contemporary style works made up of large kana and midsized kana forms. The works done in small characters on folded page volumes reveal how Akiyama practices copying old texts from the Heian period. Indeed, in these works his thin, tension filled exact lines could often be mistaken for those by ancient hands. In his contemporary style works he scatters his characters across the paper surface, producing a unique pictorial composition made up of often extremely deformed character shapes. His energetic lines and bold use of negative space to create pictorial balance are some of the enjoyable aspects of these works.
Unlike kana, kanji were brought to Japan from the Asian continent. Their origins trace back into history, in oracle bone script and cast bronze inscriptions of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. Various calligraphy script types have emerged and changed over the course of this long history. The Song dynasty calligrapher Su Shih (Su Dongpo) likened the three basic forms to human movement, namely shin (formal or regular script) is a person standing, gyo (running) is like a person walking, while so (grass) script is like a person running. In this manner, the same kanji written in different scripts will give their viewer a different impression, and this can be considered one of the interesting aspects of kanji calligraphy.
Ohashi also creates numerous works in seal script. This exhibition presents his works in all five of the major script types, namely, seal script, clerical script, regular script, running script and grass script. Visitors can also enjoy how he has used forceful and at times comical character forms in these calligraphies of ancient character forms. Ohashi's works are most notable for the beauty of their forms and the dancing sensibility of their lines. Close examination of these works will reveal the dancing feel in the lines and indeed, the feeling that the lines themselves give depth to the paper area.