In the Beginning was the Word

Beyond Calligraphy is pleased to present the inimitable Kana-Artist Kaoru Akagawa. Born in Canada, growing up in the United States, attending university in Japan and now living in Germany, her global life and inventiveness is beautifully explored in an illuminating and exquisite video.

Through her spoken words in Japanese and subtitles in English along with exquisite visuals, she grinds sumi ink and begins to calligraph while explaining her philosophy and the explorations of her art. Her starting point of reference is traditional kana from the 10th Century used by noblewomen who were not permitted to learn Kanji. She then moves into the present, re-invents, and brings her work into the modern era, weaving in musical parallels and entering the rarified atmosphere of the avant-garde.