古に学び，今を創る書。
Inspired by tradition, created for today.

From Gifu, Japan — Ito Yamada creates authentic calligraphy brushed in sumi on washi, shikishi, FSC-certified Tono Hinoki, and other natural materials, offering one-of-a-kind works that carry the spirit of tradition into modern life.

About

I am Ito Yamada, a calligrapher based in Gifu, Japan. I began calligraphy in childhood and have studied under Master Seishin Oike for six years. My works have been selected and awarded at Japan’s central calligraphy exhibitions, grounding my practice in authentic tradition and precise technique.

Philosophy

Calligraphy is not just writing — it is the act of giving form to meaning. I work with kyūjitai, the old-style kanji once used daily in Japan until World War II. By using sumi ink, handmade washi, and natural materials such as Tono Hinoki, I preserve the quiet dignity of classical form while letting each stroke live and breathe in the present. Every line is both heritage and expression — a silent conversation that connects the hand, the word, and the world.

Materials

My creative life unfolds in Gifu, surrounded by mountains, rivers, and forests that shape my sense of balance and calm. I work on handmade washi and shikishi boards, made through traditional Japanese methods passed down for generations, carefully chosen for their texture and the way they catch light. I also create works on FSC-certified Tono Hinoki (Japanese cypress) — a wood refined in grain and fragrance, grown in Higashishirakawa Village, where forests are responsibly managed under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) system. When sumi meets these surfaces — the breath of paper, the warmth of wood — it feels as though nature itself is guiding the brush. Through every medium, I seek to connect tradition, material, and the living hand that gives each word form.

Works

View → Gallery & Online Store

Recognition & Memberships

Selected Exhibitions & Honors

Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition — Outstanding Work (×3)
Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition — Selected Work
Chunichi Calligraphy Exhibition — Second Division Award
Chudo Calligraphy Exhibition — Special Selection, Chudo Award, Seirankan Award

Affiliations & Positions

Councilor, Kenshin Calligraphy Association
Councilor, Chudo Calligraphy Exhibition

These honors and appointments reflect my long-standing involvement in Japan’s calligraphic community and my dedication to carrying its cultural spirit into the present.

Contact

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