Calligraphy

Tomomi Kunishige has sincerely created an art out of an already long existing art. The most interesting part about her art is that she has made understandable to two people groups what is usually only understandable to one or the other. She has crossed a language barrier in art that calligraphy has not crossed before.

Her art, which she calls "ei-kanji" otherwise known as "English-kanji," has taken Japanese symbols and made English words out of them. Thus making the art readable to both English speaking people and Japanese speaking people. The fact that the Japanese do not have a large respect for art seems to frustrate Kunishige; however, she is now able to show her art to the world as the first to cross a major barrier. In fact, not only is her art a mismatch of English and Japanese, she dresses in a mixture of traditional Japanese kimonos and modern fashions.

It is her knowledge of the Japanese symbols that establishes the basis for her beautiful art. Unfortunately, she does realize that because her art is based on the similarities in English and Japanese, she will eventually run out of material for her art.

Talent in calligraphy is based off of awards won for the work produced. She has tried even stand up comedy in attempt to spread her name and bring attention to her art. This did not prove to be successful for her. Although Kunishige's work has been displayed on the walls of a Tokyo department store, for now, she finds it reward enough that people enjoy her work.

Calligraphy Finds a Shared Language

March 11, 2007|Bruce Wallace, Times Staff Writer

http://articles.latimes.com/2007/mar/11/entertainment/ca-kanji11