CALLIGRAPHY COMPETITION 2024

The 17th Annual Japanese Calligraphy Competition in Canada proudly received 116 entries from adults and 37 from students.

We received entries from across Canada, from across many age categories, and from across a variety of backgrounds. Over the past 17 years, this incredible diversity has become a signature of the Japanese Calligraphy Competition in Canada.

We hope this online exhibition will offer a space where people from all walks of life can appreciate the beauty of Japanese calligraphy. Through these works, we also hope that many more will discover the joy of the calligraphic process. 

This year, we celebrate the exhibition's 17th anniversary with an incredible array of works. For many entrants and winners, this will be the first year entering the competition.  And many entrants have been participating in the competition for many years. Year by year we see so many Canadian Calligraphers taking this competition as an opportunity to challenge themselves, step up their mastery, and enjoy the beauty of Japanese calligraphy more deeply. The art of Japanese calligraphy is not only visual, but is also related to language, the art of literature, and delves into the depths of culture. 

In many ways, the diversity of this competition mirrors the essence of Japanese calligraphy itself. Over centuries, numerous styles have developed, each with its own distinct character and expressiveness. Calligraphy shows us that diversity exists not just between cultures, but also within them—across time, place, and artistic interpretation. This year’s exhibition beautifully showcases this diversity, with each word, poem, and sentence expressing a wide range of meanings through different calligraphic styles.

And although Japanese calligraphy is a traditional art form dwelling within the simple domain of paper canvas and ink brushstrokes, its reach and impact can be vast. 

It is Shodo Canada’s great pleasure to host this wonderful competition for the 17th year, and to celebrate this rare space in which a community of calligraphers are able to join together to appreciate each other’s contributions to the world of Japanese Calligraphy in Canada.

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 winners exemplify the broad range of expressions within the art of Japanese calligraphy. They remind us that Japanese calligraphy may take on visual expressions that are ancient, classical, traditional, creative, contemporary, and even forward looking. Each expression bears evidence to a particular moment in Calligraphy’s long and continuing history.  Of the two winning works, one is very traditional while the other is incredibly contemporary, yet what both share in common is a deep and studied understanding of calligraphy, and a beautiful finish.

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's competition, which takes place in the year of the dragon, received many awards related to the theme of Dragons. So many of these pieces were coursing with courage, tenacity, intelligence, and enthusiasm. Six outstanding of these pieces were chosen for the Dr. Rick Nishikawa Award.  These are pieces that have tapped into the pulse of their moment in time, and seem meant to exemplify the energy and spirit of the Dragon in 2024. 

This year 5 pieces were chosen for their range of stylistic expression and immaculate finish quality. These 5 award winners have created works that convey excellence in the control of brushwork and composition. We hope these 5 award winners continue to exemplify the pursuit of excellence in the artistry that brings Japanese Calligraphy to life. 

The works of this year’s silver prize award winners have achieved an incredible clarity and focus of expression in the medium of calligraphy. These pieces actualize the potential power within each piece of calligraphy to open a window into a  world of its own making.  Each piece develops a theme, calligraphic style, and world of its own.  

This year's bronze category is awarded to repeat entrants who have leveled-up to a new stage of calligraphic expression. 

There are many firsts: A first approach to the Kana styles, a first attempt at the Reisho Style, or the first attempt at an arrangement in a style of the calligrapher’s own invention. In each case, these pieces exemplify the spirit of stepping beyond one’s realm of comfort and finding the courage to stand on new ground. 

This category is the very heart of the Shodo Canada Community. This year we have chosen pieces from 38 adult calligraphers and 12 young calligraphers. This year’s selection represents a broad array of approaches to calligraphy, emerging from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences.  In each of these pieces there is a unique story animating every detail. And, most importantly, there is an overflowing and joyfully personal sense of enjoyment. 

HONORABLE MENTION - YOUTH

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.

ENTRANTS

ENTRANTS - YOUTH