Aspirations as a Shodo artist
Shodo is the spirit of sensibility, interwoven with ink, brush and paper. As a creator of ink writing, I hope not only to write letters but to convey nature and human emotions directly on the paper.
中島 瞻風
Sempu Nakajima
- 1959
- Born in Hyogo Prefecture, the geographical center of Japan, streching from the Seto Inland Sea to the Sea of Japan.
- 1965
- Studied Japanese calligraphy under Yasuda Hozuki from the age of 6 until graduating from high school and studied under Takako Kaneko after moving to Tokyo.
- 1979
- Sogen Calligraphy Society Sogen Exhibition first prize award.
- 1980
- Sogen Exhibition 2nd category award.
- The same year, received first prize in Sogen Exhibition.
- 1996
- Founded the Chogen Shodo Association. Launched a Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) class at Higashiyama, Meguro, Tokyo.
- 2016
- Debuted his first solo exhibition at Tsuta-Salon, Aoyama, Tokyo
- 2021
- Presented his first international exhibition at Agora Gallery in Chelsea, New York
- 2021
- Showcased a solo exhibition at SPACE R, in Daikanyama, Tokyo
- 2022
- Produced his first self-promotional video at Yunoshima-kan, Gero, Gifu
- 2022
- Opened a permanent exhibition “Sempu Nakajima Art Gallery” at Café & Bar Oda-cha, Itabashi, Tokyo.
- 2023
- [February 8 ‒ 12]
Curated the Chōgen Exhibition, featuring works by himself and his students from the Chōgen Calligraphy Association at Meguro Museum of Art, Tokyo.
- [October 29]
Performed a calligraphy collaboration with musician Izumi Tachibana under the theme “Wa(Harmony)” at Ryōinan, Enkakuji, Kita-Kamakura, during the Full Moon Night Talk event
- 2024
- [June 6 ‒ 26]
Participated in the exhibition at Agora Gallery, Chelsea, New York. Nakajima contributed calligraphy works themed around “Peace”.
https://agora-gallery.com/artist/sempunakajima/
- [November 23]
Performed a collaborative calligraphy piece with jazz guitarist Tomohiro Maeda, themed on Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each) at Chez Fleurs Higashiyama, Tokyo
- 2025
- Featured in the République des Arts No.3, a Paris-based art magazine, in a special issue on contemporary calligraphy.
In addition to cultivating calligraphers, he has also worked extensively in installation work for books and music, magazines, advertisements, and titles for television. Currently, based on the classics of calligraphy, he aims to be a Japanese ink artist who spins letters and words into the natural world, and to be a Japanese ink artist who brings ink colors to life.
【作品】
- Japan Music Producers' Federation FMPJ 10th Anniversary Pamphlet "Sound System Association"（1996）
- Dunlop Zodiac Golf Ball "Cows", Package Ink Painting（1997）
- Southern All Stars NHK Red and White Song Battle "Japan's Best"（1997）
- Yoshiharu Abe (unicorn) live "Fukahana Yukitsuki"（1999）
- Ayumi Hamasaki Live Lyrics（2002）
- Music magazine arena 37 ° C "flash"（2005）
- Christian Dior (Omotesando Store) Opening Reception "The Soul of John Galliano"（2005）
- Kokuno Sake Brewing of Kumamoto Fire (Formerly Shonen Sake Brewing) "Aotake" "Sugetsu"（2005）
- Sousen Co., Ltd. Sake Label Daiginjo "Sosen" "Mr. Chikuzen"
- Urfulz Newspaper Advertising "Ulfulz Act"（2006）
- Magazine Mari Claire Special Feature "The Recommendation of Koibun"（2006）
- Godaigo DVD Todaiji live "gaze" [1]（2008）
- Magazine women's magazine Christian Dior magazine advertisement "spring / summer / autumn / winter"（2009）
- Volkswagen Event "Summer Festival"（2010）
- Aichi governor election banner "breakthrough"（2010）
- Asada Jiro original stage "Amitorimatsu Darkness" [2]（2011）
- Japan Wood Sculpture Association Pamphlet "First Japan Wood Sculpture Exhibition"（2015）
朝玄書道会Chougen Shodo Association
- Each lesson last 2 hours
- Class closed on the 16th and 17th each month.
- Booking required as class schedule may change without notice.
Tobu Highline 501, 3-6-9 Higashiyama,
Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-0043, Japan
Tel&Fax. 03-3719-0755
Mobile. 090-4828-4485
n_senpoo.5932@docomo.ne.jp
