The Calligraphy of Genki Sudo

The history of Genki Sudo's calligraphy

What prompted me to start calligraphy was reading Ryotaro Shiba's novel "Kukai no Fukei." I learned that Kukai was a master of calligraphy and became interested in his profound technique and talent. However, my more direct motivation was that as I became more well-known as a martial artist and the number of times I was asked to sign autographs increased, I was shocked at how messy my own handwriting was, and I felt strongly that I couldn't continue like this.

Later, through my high school teacher, I met Yanagida Taizan, the fourth generation of the Yanagida family. The Yanagida family is a prestigious family of calligraphers, beginning with Yanagida Shosai in the Edo period, followed by Yanagida Tairoku, the second, and Taiun, the third. When I visited the Taishokai, I was so moved by the way Taizan wrote and the beauty of his characters that I decided to join on the spot.

When I first started calligraphy, I expected that I would improve my handwriting, but Master Taizan told me that practicing calligraphy would not improve my handwriting. At the time, I didn't understand what he meant, but now I understand it deeply. Calligraphy is not just the "technique of writing characters." I was fascinated by the spirituality and aesthetic sense behind it, and became completely absorbed in it.

In today's world, digitalization is progressing and opportunities to write characters are decreasing. However, I feel that this is exactly why the value of calligraphy, which is analog and has a certain "fluctuation," stands out even more. Calligraphy has the power to express humanity and individuality, and I would like to continue to cherish and express that charm.

Biography

2003: Introduction to the Taishokai

Selected for the 58th Mainichi Calligraphy Exhibition in 2006

Selected for the 60th Mainichi Calligraphy Exhibition in 2008

In the same year, he won the Newcomer Encouragement Award at the 15th Thai Calligraphy Exhibition.

Selected for the 26th Sankei International Calligraphy Exhibition in 2009

In 2015, he was awarded the pen name "Taigen" by Taizan Yanagida.

2016 Tokyo Calligraphy Exhibition Encouragement Award Winner

Winner of the Excellence Award at the 2021 Tokyo Calligraphy Exhibition

2023 Tokyo Calligraphy Exhibition Encouragement Award Awards