Since the Heian period (794-1185), Japanese calligraphy has been displayed on fusuma (sliding doors) and byobu (folding screens) and enjoyed as interior decorations.In the Edo period (1603-1867), Japanese calligraphy became popular among the general public and was a part of daily life, but after the postwar period of rapid economic growth, calligraphy and the tokonoma (alcove) disappeared from people’s lives due to the westernization of living spaces. Since then, they have only been seen in limited spaces such as exhibitions and museums.
Such is the transition of Japanese calligraphy, Moji Gallery (formerly Calle Moji) was born in 2002 with the desire to revive calligraphy, a traditional Japanese culture with wonderful appeal, in the modern living spaces where people live. We have been pursuing the comfort of Japanese calligraphy to be displayed in our daily lives for more than 20 years. The most important thing for Japanese calligraphy to be displayed in our daily lives is that we never get tired of seeing it every day. To achieve this, it is essential that the lines of the calligraphy are well-developed, and only when the lines are well-developed can beautiful margins be drawn. The finished work is an art form that combines the exquisite harmony of addition and subtraction. The “blank spaces” in the work are a place where the viewer can expand his or her imagination and stimulate his or her senses.
We hope that people around the world will find the appeal of Japanese calligraphy as an art form that allows us to pause and talk to ourselves in our hectic modern lives.
Moji Gallery’s commitment
Ｗe select calligraphers from all over Japan who combine the two elements of high quality of line as calligraphy and artistic sensitivity. It is said that there are more than 2 million calligraphers in Japan, but there are very few calligraphers who combine these two elements, and we are currently handling the works of 9 calligraphers.
We then select the best of the hundreds of pieces that the calligrapher has created. A single piece of work is written in a few seconds, but behind it exist days of time and countless works of art. It is said that decades of study, humanity, and worldview are condensed in the lines of a calligraphic line, and even the movements of the mind and physical condition of the body can be told. Naturally, no two works are ever the same. The lines of calligraphy are created by facing a white Japanese paper and reflecting each moment with deep and beautiful sumi ink colors. The charm of the work lies in the fact that it is the one and only original work that cannot be rewritten.
Framing is another feature. Our dedicated framing designers carefully design each piece, paying close attention to the movement and expression of the lines, the balance of the margins, and the image created by the subject. We always keep in mind to maximize the quality of the work in today’s living space.
Future Moji Gallery
In order to further pursue the possibilities of Japanese calligraphy art, we are challenging ourselves to create not only wall art but also three-dimensional art and collaborate with various genres of food, clothing, and shelter. We will continue to introduce our future activities on our website, newsletter, and SNS, so please look forward to seeing more of Moji Gallery in the future!
