VIRTUAL EXPO

Born in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, and a Certified Master Calligrapher. She began practicing calligraphy in elementary school, and during her high school years, became a student of Mr. Koyou Tsuboi. Subsequently, she became captivated by the artistic realm of *shodō* (calligraphy)—distinguished from the mere practice of *shosha* (writing neatly and correctly)—and resolved to dedicate herself to the path of calligraphy. During her university years, she immersed herself in the study of classical models—the fundamental basis of calligraphy—mastering brushwork and various techniques, and losing herself completely in the profound world of the art form. After graduating from university, she worked as a part-time instructor of Japanese language and calligraphy at various junior high schools, high schools, and private tutoring centers. In 2003, she established the Kouchi Calligraphy Classroom. After devoting approximately ten years to teaching, she formally launched her career as a professional calligrapher. Currently, while cherishing the fundamentals of the traditional Japanese art form, she continues to promote it as a compelling form of contemporary art through performance and artistic creation. She specializes particularly in avant-garde calligraphy, excelling at expressing her personal sensibilities and emotions with a style that is at once feminine, powerful, and fluidly expansive. Furthermore, through collaborations with artists from diverse fields, as well as calligraphy performances held in locations both domestic and international, including New York and France, they have captivated audiences with a commanding presence and thematic depth in their work that belies their outward appearance. As part of her creative practice, she has also received commissions from companies across various sectors ranging from designing interior murals for the flagship LANVIN store in Ginza, to creating product logos for food manufacturers as well as continuing to produce a wide array of designs, including product names, store logos, and interior wall art.

広島県広島市生まれ。師範。 小学生の頃より筆を執り、高校生時代より坪井工鷹（つぼいこうよう）氏に師事。その後、正しく綺麗に書く「書写」から芸術分野の「書道」に魅了され書の道を志す。大学では書道の基本である古典臨書に打ち込み、筆遣いやさまざまな技法を学び、奥深い書の世界に時間を忘れ没頭する。大学卒業後、国語、書道の非常勤講師として複数の中学、高等学校、学習塾にて勤務。2003年より、河内書道教室を開講。約10年間指導することに努めた後、本格的に書道家としての活動を開始。 現在、日本伝統文化である書道の基本を大切にしつつ書道パフォーマンスや作品制作を通じ、現代アートとしての書道をより魅力的なものとして発信し続けている。特に前衛書を得意としており、自身の感覚や想いを女性らしくも力強く、のびやかに表現することを得意としている。 また異分野アーティストとのコラボレーションや、ニューヨークやフランス他、国内外各所で行った書道パフォーマンスでは、その外見からは想像できない程の迫力や作品のテーマ性で来場者の心を掴んできた。また、創作活動の一環として銀座「LANVIN 」旗艦店の店内壁画デザインや、食品メーカーの商品ロゴを手掛けるなど、各ジャンルの企業からオファーを受け、商品名、店名ロゴ、店内壁面他様々なデザインを手掛けている。 平和都市広島から被爆3世である自身の表現方法である書道を通じて、家族、友人、大切な人の幸せを願うことが、一人ひとりの祈りの連鎖となり平和な世の中になるのではないか…という想いを込め、平和を繋ぎ祈りを捧げる活動も行っている。