2023 Kakizome Contest - Nominee Announcement
2023 Kakizome Contest - Nominee Announcement
Thank you very much for participating in the Kakizome Contest.
We received nearly 250 entries showcasing free and creative works that expressed each participant’s goals and resolutions for the year, without being bound by conventional writing styles.
We are pleased to announce the nominated Kakizome works from among the contest entries.
Grand Prize [1 Winner]
Excellence Award [3 Winners]
Originality Award [3 Winners]
Unique Award [5 Winners]
Grand Prize
zag04659
The Grand Prize of the Shoyu Online 2023 Kakizome Contest goes to zag04659.
[Work Title]
A Serious Match
[Reason for Award]
Sincere Characters Filled with Emotion
As the title suggests, the work vividly conveys the image of facing the art with genuine seriousness.
Refined Calligraphy Technique
The seal script technique is outstanding, reflecting zag04659’s daily dedication and practice.
Beautiful Line Quality
The lively energy of the brush strokes is palpable. The balance of strength and delicacy is also very pleasing.
Excellence Award: shoka_reisen
[Work Title]
Kikaku Nenjuzai
[Reason for Award]
Artistic Beauty that Further Enhances Auspicious Characters!
The clerical script style brings a gentle and soothing feeling. The sense of reassurance created by the balance between the characters and the blank space is truly pleasant.
Excellence Award: riso_rilaku
[Work Title]
Weaving Connections
[Reason for Award]
You can almost hear the flutter of wings!
A piece that allows you to fully enjoy the world of “black” that ink embodies. The drawn phoenix, more in an illustrative touch rather than realistic, is another charming point. Its dynamic presence makes you feel as if the sound of wings could be heard nearby, leading to its selection for the award.
Excellence Award: atsushi.takai.50
[Work Title]
Continuation
[Reason for Award]
Gentle Inspiration
A work that fully brings out the softness of the brush. What may at first appear as a complex form skillfully uses empty space to create a unique persuasiveness—truly admirable.
Original Award
The winners of the Original Award are
- m_m4jgt_ei
- kakiyaquzan
- suiryu141
and their works.
Original Award: m_m4jgt_ei
[Work Title]
Live Gently
[Reason for Award]
Free-spirited and Delightful!
Rather than focusing on technical aspects of calligraphy, this work conveys a pure joy of writing. On closer look, elements such as spattering and origami are also incorporated, making it truly charming!
Original Award: kakiyaquzan
[Work Title]
Ureshitoshi (卯礼信登志)
[Reason for Award]
Beautiful Harmony!
A beautifully balanced work skillfully using variant kana. The rabbit formed with pine, bamboo, and plum is also very charming. Personally, I love the combination of blue and gold.
Original Award: suiryu141
[Work Title]
Towards a Greater Self
[Reason for Award]
Confident Brushstrokes!
An outstanding work with bold, unwavering brushstrokes. It conveys a strong determination and leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
Unique Award
The winners of the Unique Award are:
- shosen1927
- tougetsu_syo
- toshikosadahisa
- sho_setu_
- soukou_syo
These works have been selected.
ユニーク賞：shosen1927様
[Work Title]
Kengin
[Reason for Award]
Artistic!
Including the neatly arranged textbooks, this is a visually delightful work. By using paper modeled after the Yata Mirror, the background colors blend in harmoniously without being overwhelming.
Unique Award: tougetsu_syo
[Work Title]
Isshin Furan (Wholehearted Devotion)
[Reason for Award]
Refreshing Seal Script
What is often a heavy-looking seal script is impressively expressed with a bright and unique touch. This work revealed a refreshing new side of seal script.
Unique Award: toshikosadahisa
[Work Title]
With Health, With Brightness
[Reason for Award]
Gentle and Refreshing
This piece, written rhythmically and lightly with soft bristles, leaves a strong impression. Its gentle and refreshing qualities coexist without any sense of excess, which makes it particularly appealing.
Unique Award: sho_setu_
[Work Title]
Perseverance is Power
[Reason for Award]
A Sincere Feeling That Resonates!
The work carries a strong presence, and the creator’s sincere feelings are conveyed directly and clearly. It is a dignified piece that inspires the viewer to correct their own posture.
Unique Award: soukou_syo
[Work Title]
I Just Have to Write
[Reason for Award]
The Spirit of Calligraphy
Calligraphy is not only about technique but also about cultivating an eye for appreciation. Far from being careless, this work feels as if it was written with determination to engrave its meaning within oneself. Through it, we can glimpse the earnest side of soukou_syo.
Each piece, from the content of the kakizome to the methods of expression, was truly enjoyable to see.
That concludes the introduction of the 12 award winners of the 2023 Kakizome Contest.
This was the 4th time we held the contest, and we are sincerely grateful for the nearly 250 participants who joined us.
Unlike traditional exhibitions, this contest allows people from around the world to take part in the field of calligraphy through the web. We hope that initiatives like this will continue to contribute to the development of calligraphy.
At Shoyu Online, we will keep delivering calligraphy-related content under the theme of “writing,” so that everyone can enjoy calligraphy even more.
We look forward to your participation in our next interactive content project.