Japanese Calligraphy Exhibit @ The National Art Center, Tokyo

I hope everyone had a fruitful 2022 this year.

I wanted to write a blog post to celebrate one of my biggest accomplishments this year – to have my first piece of Japanese calligraphy exhibited at The National Art Center, Tokyo.

“2022 KIRABOSHI” 21st Century Art Borderless Exhibit featured a variety of art genres including Japanese calligraphy. I was halfway into my 2nd year of doing calligraphy when my teacher announced the exhibition and urged me to challenge myself by creating a one-of-a-kind calligraphy piece.

In class, we usually practice our calligraphy by copying samples written by professionals in the field, but creating a piece for an exhibition means creating your own style of calligraphy and channeling your creativity into that piece. Participants had to select one Kanji character and write it in a way that portrays the meaning of the character.

I chose the Kanji character for “sound” which is “音 (oto).” “Sound” has always been a big part of my life and continues to be, whether it be music or any kind of work I did using my voice. I did have a difficult time figuring out how best to portray my “sound,” but I realized it didn’t have to be perfect since I myself am a work in progress. Words cannot express how moved I was to see my own work exhibited at one of the biggest art spaces in Japan.

I am truly grateful for this experience, and especially my teacher who encouraged an amateur like me to submit my own piece for a big exhibition. Also, thank you so much to everyone who took the time to stop by the exhibition. It meant so much to me. I hope to continue to challenge myself in all areas of my life. Here’s to 2023!

2022 KIRABOSHI 

21st Century Art Borderless Exhibit

The National Art Center, Tokyo

Exhibit areas 1A & 1B

Thurs., Dec. 1st – Sat., Dec. 10th, 2022

Closed on Tues., Dec. 6th

Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM (last entry by 5:30PM)

Location: 7-22-2 Roppongi Minato-ku Tokyo 106-8558 Japan