Kanazawa Shōko is one of Japan’s most acclaimed young contemporary calligraphers, known in particular for her bold and powerful brushstrokes.
Born with Down’s syndrome, Shōko began studying shodō, Japanese calligraphy, at the age of 5, taught by her mother and mentor Yasuko. She has since continued to refine her craft, achieving global renown.
Among her many accomplishments, Shōko has created official art posters for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and has held numerous solo exhibitions within Japan and worldwide.
She is particularly renowned for her large-scale performances of calligraphy in which she uses a huge brush and sumi ink to create dramatic works requiring full-body expression.
Find out more about what motivates Shōko in this video interview and performance at Japan House London.
If you enjoyed this video, follow Japan House London on YouTube for more.