Featured Artist
Hatanaka Sachiyo
畠中 咲菫 · Calligraphy 墨麗 / Sumire
Official website: calligraphy-sumire.com
Hatanaka Sachiyo's studio Calligraphy 墨麗 moves between two worlds: applied typography — logos, product names, packaging lettering — and free artistic calligraphy in the tradition of 創作書. She is a member of the renowned Bokujin-kai (墨人会), one of the most influential societies of contemporary Japanese avant-garde calligraphy since its founding in 1952. Her originals are created with full-body movement on large formats (up to 180 × 140 cm), most recently shown in 2025 at her third solo exhibition “黒と白の対話” (Dialogue of Black and White) in Kyoto. SumiFox presents a curated selection of smaller formats that bring this artistic signature into an accessible form for European living and working spaces.
Works by Hatanaka Sachiyo ↓„人間の根源的な感情や精神から生まれる美には不変なものがある。“
Philosophy
For Hatanaka Sachiyo, the decisive question when placing the final brushstroke is: does “beauty” exist here? She deliberately distinguishes between a self-referential, fashionable notion of novelty and a beauty that arises from fundamental human feeling and spirit. It is this universality and constancy she wants to remain committed to — because only this, to her, is a beauty that is honest to herself. (From the exhibition text “黒と白の対話”, 2025.)
Working method
Sumi ink on paper. Typography, Shodo, and free 創作書 work. Expressive line, balance between legibility, visual impact, and movement.
Curatorial note
This collaboration is an important step for SumiFox: an established Japanese calligrapher whose large works belong in exhibition contexts develops or opens smaller formats for a new audience. SumiFox handles presentation, sales, packaging, shipping, and communication so the artist can focus on her art.
Memberships
One of the most influential societies of contemporary Japanese avant-garde calligraphy, founded in 1952 by Morita Shiryū, Inoue Yūichi, and others.
Materials & tools
Sumi ink, Japanese calligraphy paper, brushes of varying sizes — from fine brushes for typography to large brushes used with full-body movement for 創作書 work.
In the studio
Calligraphy 墨麗 emerged from the intersection of commercial typography and artistic calligraphy and works in both worlds today. The large-format 創作書 originals are shown in solo exhibitions; the finer lettering work feeds into logos, product names, and packaging design.
Influences
Tradition of Japanese calligraphy, the avant-garde currents of Bokujin-kai, commercial typography, and the dialogue between script, material, and visual presence.
Process
- 01Engagement with the character, word, or name — meaning, sound, visual presence.
- 02For commercial work: lettering variants and sketches to balance legibility and expression.
- 03For 創作書 originals: the composition is thought through mentally, then committed to the large format in a single full-body movement.
- 04Selection, drying, and signing of the final piece.
Recurring motifs
- 墨 — Sumi (ink)
- 麗 — Rei (grace)
- 心 — Kokoro (heart)
- 氣 — Ki (spirit)
Works by Hatanaka Sachiyo
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Career
- —Long-standing practice in lettering, ink, logos, and names.
- —Building Calligraphy 墨麗 as her own studio for typography and free calligraphy.
- —Admission to Bokujin-kai (墨人会) — avant-garde calligraphy.
- 2025Third solo exhibition “黒と白の対話” (Dialogue of Black and White), Art Space Yokaan, Kyoto.
- 2026Beginning of the first real artist collaboration with SumiFox in Berlin.
Selected exhibitions
- 2025黒と白の対話 — Dialogue of Black and White (3rd solo exhibition)Art Space Yokaan, Kyoto · May 6–11, 2025
- —Earlier solo and group exhibitions of large-format calligraphy workGalleries and art spaces in Japan
- 2026SumiFox × Calligraphy 墨麗Online, curated from Berlin
Voices
“I believe that in the beauty born of fundamental human feeling and spirit there is something unchanging — and I wish to remain committed precisely to that universality.”
— From the exhibition text “黒と白の対話”, 2025
“Script is the stand-in for content. Only when the image resonates with everything does it come alive.”
— calligraphy-sumire.com
Frequently asked
- Who is Hatanaka Sachiyo / 畠中咲菫?
- Hatanaka Sachiyo / 畠中咲菫 is a Japanese calligrapher and founder of Calligraphy 墨麗. Her work bridges design lettering, commercial typography, and free calligraphy. SumiFox presents smaller formats of her work for European living and working spaces.
- Why does SumiFox offer smaller formats?
- Many calligraphy works are created in larger formats for exhibitions. SumiFox also presents smaller originals, each with its own dimensions, for living and working spaces. Exact measurements are listed on each work page.
- Who ships the works?
- The works are first sent from the artist to Berlin. SumiFox handles packaging, payment processing, customer communication, and shipping.
- Are commissioned works possible?
- Commissioned works can be requested in due time. SumiFox coordinates such inquiries individually with the artist.
Commissioned work
For selected motifs, names, or characters, commissioned works can be requested in due time. SumiFox coordinates inquiry, communication, pricing, and shipping with the artist.
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