What is Jojoo 抒情 calligraphy?
Building on the knowledge of materials and the mastery of techniques of the centuries old art of Japanese calligraphy, Jojoo is a modern movement that breaks away from the stiff constraints and rigid authority structures that force traditional calligraphy students to spend decades doing expensive and repetitive lessons, copying the texts set by their master and emulating their writing styles. In Jojoo calligraphy, students are encouraged to explore, 抒情 - to bring something up from their own, inner well. It is a movement that believes there is a creative and artistic spirit in all of us and the voice of everyone's heart deserves to be heard.
Materials
Sumi ink, brushes, Suzuri stone plates and paper are called the “four treasures”.
In China, they are called the “four friends”.
Nigyo Washi
The Noto Nigyo Washi workshop was founded in 1949 in the village of Mii in Wajima, Japan. Most Washi paper is made exclusively from Kozo bark, but Nigyo Washi also uses locally-found materials, such as seaweed, bamboo, cedar bark, flower petals, leaves and seashells. Each sheet is unique and dyed with 100% natural materials.
Kyuden Washi
Washi paper from the Kyuden area was first mentioned in historical documents dating back to 1655. Traditionally made using only Kozo bark, Kyuden washi is a very strong paper that is resistant to staining. It comes in a variety of vivid colours and experimental ideas, such as paper with “holes”.
Atelier Tokarin
Ayane Muroya
Jojoo Calligrapher
1980 Born in Osaka to Isshu and Shukin Muroya (founders of Jojoo Calligraphy)
1985 Work featured on first page of MRS magazine
1987 “Ayane's Four Seasons” on Asashi TV
1994 Left Japan alone to study in England
2003 Graduated from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, London
2004 Solo Exhibition at Gallery Dohjidai, Kyoto
2008 Established Atelier “Tokarin” in Noto, Ishikawa
2009 Won Ishikawa TOYP award and became official representative of Noto town
2010 Exhibition at Harmony Centre, Noto, with invited artists from Europe
2011 Became official representative of Ishikawa prefecture
Annual exhibitions (until 2015) at Shiinoki Cultural Complex, Kanazawa
2013 Participated in “48 Stunden Neukölln”, Berlin
2015 “Frühlingsschlummern” Exhibition, Berlin
2016 “Everyday Miracles” Exhibition, Berlin
“Noto Gala”, Jardin Paul Bocuse, Kanazawa
2017 Suito Ooba & Ayane Muroya Exhibition in Okegawa, Saitama
“Noto Gala2”, Jardin Paul Bocuse, Kanazawa
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