CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION 2023
The 16th annual Japanese Calligraphy Competition in Canada received 135 adult entries and 41 Students entries.
Introducing Japanese calligraphy to young people in Canada is one of our main missions, so being able to view the 41 powerful masterpieces by young calligraphers, which is the record number of entries in the student category, was an incredibly proud moment for us this year.
We started the Online exhibit 2020, and in doing so, made this local exhibition into one that could be shared all over Canada, and also all over the world. Sharing all of your works through this platform online has become a special opportunity to enjoy the many diverse techniques, stories, and dimensions of beauty that exist in calligraphy now together in a larger community, and in front of a larger audience, than ever before.
Japanese calligraphy is a traditional art form which works within the simplicity of a paper canvas and ink brushstrokes, but its reach can be vast. Japanese calligraphy is not only visual art but an artform that also relates to language, four seasons, time and memory. There is a depth that goes beyond the surface. There is also a strong bond between Japanese calligraphy and other cultures such as the way of tea, the world of martial arts, or the language of flower arrangement amongst many.
It is our pleasure, as Shodo Canada, to host this wonderful competition where we can appreciate each other's contribution to the world of Japanese Calligraphy in Canada.
KENZABURO DATE MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is dedicated to the memory of late Mr. Kenzaburo Date who loved Japanese Calligraphy and received Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards and Honorable Mention citations in this competition. This year’s 2 winning works each consist of a very simple structure of character, but in their simplicity, there is incredible composure and excellence. The lines in the works of the 2 calligraphers, you can feel the expression within their movement, flow and depth. Both their works show a strong impact and passion through each brushstroke.
▲CHIZURU MATSUURA
Beginning | Etobicoke, ON
▲MICHELE MOSS
Earth | Cochrane, AB
DR. RICK NISHIKAWA MEMORIAL AWARD
This award is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Rick Nishikawa who shared his irresistible enjoyment of Japanese Calligraphy with many people. This year, the 4 young calligraphers who received this award started Japanese school together in grade 1 and they studied Japanese calligraphy as a part of their class. This year they graduated highschool, and have started their paths towards their new individual life journeys. To celebrate the years of friendship they shared together through calligraphy, all 4 of our young calligraphers chose four letter idioms in their competition entry, to reflect the stories of their lives.
Shodo Canada hopes that this award encourages these 4 wonderful young calligraphers to continue their journey of Japanese Calligraphy and other aspects of Japanese culture into the future.
▲MOEKA GRAY
Cherry Blossoms in Full Bloom | Vancouver, BC
▲TAIKI SHICKELE
Intimate Friends and Acquaintances | Vancouver, BC
▲MIA HAYASHIBARA
Beautifully Played Music | North Vancouver, BC
▲TOMMY ROUNTHWAITE
Growing up Together | Vancouver, BC
JUDGES’ PRIZE
The 5000 year history of calligraphy has given the discipline time for development and refinement. This long timeline brings with it so many wonderful classic works of calligraphy for us. This year, judges chose 9 pieces which studied such classics as Wang Xizhi, Kuukai, Ryokan, Sekido Kokin-shu and Tsugi-Shikishi.
Understanding the backbone of the classics is an important part of the study of calligraphy, and these 9 pieces show all calligraphers how deep study of the classics can reflect beautifully in calligrapher's own works today.
▲SUE CHEN
Clear Sky | Toronto, ON
▲PETER WAKAYAMA
Nothingness | Toronto, ON
▲YUMIE KONO
Poem by Ariwarano Narihiru in Kokin Wakashu | Victoria, BC
▲MARIE IKEDA
Nothingness | Scarborough, ON
▲YUKIKO YABUTA
Winter Poem from Kokin Wakushu | Markham, ON
▲YASUKO SHIMURA
From Tsuguishikishi by Kokin Wakashu | Scarborough, ON
▲STUART POLLOCK
Harmony | Toronto, ON
▲BEVERLY SING
Kokin Wakashu Poem 32 | Montreal, QC
▲CHIEKO YUKI
Rainy Day is Interesting | Scarborough, ON
This year 5 pieces were chosen for their quality and depth. Each piece shows a different interpretation of Japanese calligraphy, seen through different perspectives. These 5 calligraphers are also active leaders, who have worked to introduce Japanese culture in their various ways in Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec and also in Nova Scotia.
We hope these 5 award winners continue to convey the excellence that exists in the essence of Japanese beauty through Japanese Calligraphy.
▲NATSUKI ABE
Emotions | Vancouver, BC
▲NORIMI BABA
Harmony | Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC
▲JUNKO FUCHIOKA
Communicate with Each Other from the Heart Without Speaking | Vancouver, BC
▲MASOUD JELOKHANI-NIARAKI
Invisible Mysterious World | Elora, ON
▲YOKO KOBAYASHI
Each Different, Each Good | Caledon, ON
SILVER AWARD
Japanese calligraphy contains many essences such as the quality of line, composition and usage of void.
To reach the final work, we need many processes of trial and error, and these 5 pieces are a testament to the perseverance that is required towards achieving the desired result. These works celebrate their dedication that is seen in their quality.
▲MICHAEL ABE
Discover the New by Learning from the Past | Victoria, BC
▲MARTINE RENOIR
Longevity | Montreal, QC
▲SUSAN KEENE
It's a pleasure when I unroll the paper and take up the brush, then write better than I expected | Toronto, ON
▲AKIO LEONEL BRIONES
Dragon God | Verdun, QC
▲WILLY CHENG
Dance | Toronto, ON
BRONZE AWARD
One important element of Japanese calligraphy is in how one interprets the language and reflects its meaning into the work. The works of the 5 bronze prize winners have found unique ways to bring out the nuance of their chosen passages. Through these pieces we can see the different ways in which they were able to enjoy the aspect of language and its meaning in calligraphy.
▲YUKIKO NAKATA
Iroha Poem | Montreal, QC
▲YUKARI SNYDER
Spring Mud | Ottawa, ON
▲PHUONG-MAI NGHIEM
One Goes, One Comes | Toronto, ON
▲TOUMASU ABO
Go with the Flow of Water | Waterloo, ON
▲RACHEL JEE
There are many people who know you, but there are only a few who will understand | Waterloo, ON
HONORABLE MENTION
This category is a very important part of this competition. Each one of the 34 pieces that have received the honorable mention showcase many ideas and many stories.
These enjoyable and inspirational pieces will be an excellent introduction towards their future Japanese calligraphy endeavors. We are looking forward to seeing their next masterpieces in 2024.
▲ALEXANDER ARONIN
The Earth | Waterloo, ON
▲CAMMY CHAU
Ginko | Vancouver, BC
▲MONICA CHOW
Water | North York, ON
▲RAIJA GASKELL
Ground | Kitchener, ON
▲ANNA AU
The Union of Friendship from All Directions | North York, ON
▲PAUL JEWETT
A Candle Dancing in the Wind | Toronto, ON
▲SHUNICHI MARUYAMA
Unreasonable | St. Lambert, QC
▲YUMIKO MIYAMOTO
Poem by Tachibana Akemi | Toronto, ON
▲STEVE KENNEY
To Know Contentment, To Know Limit | Kitchener, ON
▲YUMI NAKAMURA
Self Awareness | Toronto, ON
▲KATHRYN TAMAKI
Let It Go | Toronto, ON
▲RYOKO YAMAMOTO
Poem by Tachibana Akemi | Toronto, ON
▲JENNIFER CHAN
Compassion, Benevolence, Merciful | Maple, ON
▲YI CHEN
Morning Dew | Toronto, ON
▲SANDIE COLLINS
Inspiration of Creativity | Windsor, ON
▲TIBI HEGYESI
One Time One Meeting | Toronto, ON
▲TERESA ISAACS
Happiness Continues, Generation to Generation | Whitby, ON
▲ARLENE KAWASOE
Ryokan’s Last Poem | East York, ON
▲MIYUKI MATSUSHITA
Ocean | Laval, QC
▲WOLFGANG MOEDER
Phoenix | Toronto, ON
▲NANCY PENG
If There are Mountains, I Look at Mountains | Waterloo, ON
▲SALVATORE SPATAFORA
Blue Whale | Toronto, ON
▲PENNY ULSTER
Release | Toronto, ON
▲KAM YING CHAN
Love Never Ends | Waterloo, ON
▲KATE CHERNEY
Rain | Toronto, ON
▲ELIZABETH FORREST
Release of Tension | Waterloo, ON
▲MARIKO IKEDA
One Goes, One Comes | Toronto, ON
▲MARGARET ISHII
The Way of Kyudo: Truth, Goodness, Beauty | Toronto, ON
▲MAYAKO KOBAYASHI
Original Poem About Cats and Sons | Waterloo, ON
▲JUNKO MIFUNE
Destined Encounter | Toronto, ON
▲KENTARO NAKAMURA
No Other, Matchless | Richmond Hill, ON
▲SUMIKO SAITO
Waves on the Shore of the Suminoe River | Toronto, ON
▲GAYLE TAGUCHI
Shadow of the Wind | Toronto, ON
▲AYUMI TAKAI
What I enjoy is when it's filled with laughter as the night goes on with friends over wine | Etobicoke, ON
HONORABLE MENTION - YOUTH
Each piece shows the young calligrapher’s intensity, their fresh ways of seeing the space of the page, and the bursts of new energy they bring to that space with each movement of the brush. There is a breath of unfiltered joy in each one of these young masterpieces. We hope these young calligraphers will continue the study of calligraphy and enjoy the wonderful world of Japan in very many ways.
▲TAIGA ASANO
Sword | Montréal, QC
▲TAIGA MATSUI
Thunder | Toronto, ON
▲MADOKA SMITH
Fun | Oakville, ON
▲REN YABUTA
Good Health | Thornhill, ON
▲AIDAN CHAN
Horse | Richmond Hill, ON
▲KANAMI MURYOI
Peace | Victoria, BC
▲KAEDE YABUTA
Generation | Thornhill, ON
▲YUJIRO FUJII
Move Forward with Courage | Waterloo, ON
▲MAKO SAKAKIBARA
Walnut | Verdun, QC
▲MONAMI YABUTA
Right | Toronto, ON
GRAND CATEGORY
This special grand category has been established to recognize a very special selection of calligraphers and their enduring devotion to the art of calligraphy. Recipients of this honor have been awarded the Gold award or other special award in this competition at least three times. These calligraphers represent the leaders of Japanese Calligraphy in Canada. Their pieces represent the standard of excellence to be pursued by following generations of calligraphers in Canada.
