My Style

I've never had formal training:  what I know was learned by copying the art works in my collection.  In the process I've developed my own style, which is a mix of the two styles ruled Japanese calligraphy for centuries: Literati, and Court.

The Literati style is scholarly, focused on a emulation of old writings, poetry, and philosophy.  At the same time, it's individualistic, free, easy, using broad strokes, and might not mind a bit of roughness, a splatter here or there.  This was the form used by Chinese and Japanese literati to express their philosophy, and is still the main style found today.

In the meantime, the Japanese Court developed a refined calligraphy, known as Wayo.  Usually drawn on papers painted delicately in gold, silver, or mica, this style is soft, elegant, and stylized.  It's the graphic equivalent of Noh drama and tea ceremony which grew up at the same time.

Few calligraphers today show the influence of Wayo court style — but it has become a mark of my work. Instead of writing on gold or silver paper, I incorporate the gold and silver into the calligraphy itself, using a painting technique borrowed from traditional Rinpa painting.

I use papers specially ordered to have the right surface for my Rinpa-Wayo Court style; and mix the inks and colors. Then I pick up the brush, and at this point, the Court style fades into the background, and the Literati element comes in: I choose a theme that might have a resonance in history or to me or my friends personally, and then … it's literally out of my hands, and the brush moves by itself.

I usually do one character on a single sheet of paper, but sometimes do small formats as well, especially for my annual New Year card, when I attempt to write several hundred to send to friends. The meanings are various.  There are some favorite themes:  Wind, Love, Flute; and others that occur at the spur of the moment, or are suggested by friends requesting a particular idea, such as : Compassion, Magic, Lightning, Kirin (fire horse), Dragon, Victory, or even Gloom.

Each piece is the product of a particular night with particular friends - a unique expression of a moment. It's also an expression of my views on life, the life I've had in Japan and East Asia since I was a little boy, and life experienced vicariously through the thoughts and philosophies expressed in calligraphies, paintings, and the traditional arts around me.

Literati Style, by Beian

Wayo Style, hanging scroll

Literati Style, by Bosai