The Dokuritsu Shojindan Foundation is holding its annual sho (Japanese calligraphy) exhibition, the 70th Dokuritsu Sho Exhibition, in the National Art Center, Tokyo in Minato Ward this month to celebrate the new year. The spacious venue is filled with thousands of expressive works consisting of stark white paper and various shades of black ink.
The Dokuritsu Shojindan Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in 1952 by Teshima Yuhkei, a highly distinguished sho artist in Japan who made great contributions in promoting sho internationally. The foundation has about 3,000 members who are independent sho artists and enthusiasts throughout Japan.
Contrary to most other schools of sho that have distinct styles, the foundation is known for its openness and freedom with an emphasis on individuality and creativity, which is based on the philosophy of the founder. Some of the exhibited works, especially the ones written on large pieces of paper that cover entire walls using extremely thick brushes that need to be held with two hands, look more like works of contemporary art than calligraphy.