SumiFox
Takemura Chikako

Featured Artist

Takemura Chikako

竹村 千佳子 · Tottori Prefecture, Japan

竹村千佳子 / Takemura Chikako was born in 1949 in Tottori Prefecture, Japan. Her works represent an expressive direction of Japanese calligraphy: strong black ink traces, rhythmic movement, open paper space and the tension between written sign and abstract image. Her work has been documented in the context of the 墨人会 (Bokujin-kai) since 1975. In 1987 she became a member of the 墨人会, later left, and is currently listed as a 準会員 (associate member). Documented stations include a solo exhibition at Arima Society in 2007 and a two-person exhibition with 史穂呼 at Hōnen-in / 法然院 in 2019. For SumiFox, Takemura Chikako represents a powerful, physical and open side of calligraphy: ink becomes not only writing, but trace, movement and space.

Works by Takemura Chikako ↓
„墨は文字であると同時に、痕跡、動き、空間として立ち上がる。“
„Ink is writing — and at the same time it rises as trace, movement and space.“ — Takemura Chikako

Philosophy

For Takemura Chikako, calligraphy is a physical practice: ink becomes trace, movement and space. The sign remains legible without being reduced to pure writing — it stands between word, gesture and image.

Working method

Sumi ink on paper. Expressive brush and ink traces, open paper space, rhythm of movement, density and emptiness. Calligraphic signs between writing and abstract image.

Curatorial note

Takemura Chikako's works show how Shodo can move beyond readable writing. Her pieces feel physical, immediate and image-like. For SumiFox, she expands the platform with a more expressive and abstract position.

Memberships

  • Bokujin-kai · 墨人会

    Erste Einreichung 1975. Mitglied seit 1987, später ausgetreten. Aktuell als 準会員 (assoziiertes Mitglied) geführt.

Materials & tools

Sumi ink, paper, brushes of varying sizes for expressive brush and ink traces, open paper space as active pictorial ground.

In the studio

Based in Tottori Prefecture. The documented works are large-format reference pieces — up to 114 × 58 cm — shown in exhibition contexts and initially available through SumiFox as reference works.

Influences

Post-war Japanese calligraphy avant-garde around the 墨人会 (Bokujin-kai), dialogue between sign, gesture and image, spatial sensibility of classical Japanese paper work.

Process

  1. 01Engagement with the character — meaning, sound, visual presence.
  2. 02The composition is thought through mentally, not pre-drawn.
  3. 03One movement — the gesture is committed to the paper with the body; density and emptiness emerge in the same breath.
  4. 04Selection, drying, signature and seal.

Recurring motifs

  • 無為 — Mu-i
  • 素心 — Soshin
  • 刻 — Koku
  • 彩 — Sai
  • 悠 — Yū
  • 破 — Ha

Works by Takemura Chikako

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Reference works

Documented large-format works from the artist's exhibition context. Currently available as reference — inquiries welcome.

Large-format calligraphy work 無為 by Takemura Chikako, black ink on light paper.

Reference work · on request

無為

Year: 2019 · Original size: 114 × 58 cm

Wuwei / Mu-i — non-forcing, effortless action, letting things happen.

無為 shows a long, physical ink trace with strong densities and open intervals. The work feels like a movement unfolding across the paper without fully becoming readable writing.

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Large-format calligraphy work 素心 by Takemura Chikako with black ink and open paper space.

Reference work · on request

素心

Year: 2019 · Original size: 114 × 58 cm

A plain, original or unadorned heart / mind.

素心 combines strong black forms with flowing, open movement. The work presents the sign more as state and gesture than as purely readable writing.

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Calligraphy work 刻 by Takemura Chikako, black ink with strong vertical forms.

Reference work · on request

刻

Year: 2016 · Original size: 53 × 58 cm

Cut, moment, engraving, mark.

刻 feels dense and sharply placed. The heavy ink areas and vertical movements evoke cutting, imprint and physical trace.

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Calligraphy work 彩 by Takemura Chikako, black ink with dynamic composition.

Reference work · on request

彩

Year: 2019 · Original size: 45 × 53 cm

Color, expression, vividness.

彩 shows a dynamic composition of strong black forms and fine open traces. Even without color, the work creates a vivid sense of color through movement and contrast.

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Calligraphy work 悠 by Takemura Chikako with black ink traces and open areas.

Reference work · on request

悠

Year: 2021 · Original size: 58 × 53 cm

Spaciousness, calm distance, long duration.

悠 uses strong forms, splashes and open movement. The work combines weight and spaciousness, guiding the eye between density and empty paper.

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Calligraphy work 破 by Takemura Chikako, black ink with a powerful breaking movement.

Reference work · on request

破

Year: 2022 · Original size: 53 × 58 cm

Break, rupture, breaking through.

破 shows powerful black ink areas and a tense, breaking movement. The work feels immediate and physical, like the trace of a moment of change.

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Career

  1. 1949Born in Tottori Prefecture, Japan.
  2. 1975First submission / participation at the 墨人会 (Bokujin-kai).
  3. 1987Member of the 墨人会, later left.
  4. 2007Solo exhibition at 有馬ソサエティ (Arima Society).
  5. 2019Two-person exhibition 竹村千佳子・史穂呼 at Hōnen-in / 法然院, Kyoto.
  6. current準会員 (associate member) of the 墨人会.
  7. 2026Added to the SumiFox line-up as second real artist.

Selected exhibitions

  • 2007Solo exhibition有馬ソサエティ / Arima Society, Japan
  • 2019竹村千佳子・史穂呼 (two-person exhibition with 史穂呼)Hōnen-in / 法然院, Kyoto
  • since 1975Participations in the context of the 墨人会Bokujin-kai exhibitions, Japan

Voices

  • "With Takemura Chikako, ink becomes not only writing, but trace, movement and space."

    — SumiFox curatorial statement, 2026

Frequently asked

Who is 竹村千佳子 / Takemura Chikako?
竹村千佳子 / Takemura Chikako is a Japanese calligraphy artist, born in 1949 in Tottori Prefecture. Her works represent an expressive, abstract direction of calligraphy with strong ink traces, movement and open paper space.
Are the displayed Takemura works available for direct purchase?
The currently displayed works are reference works from her artistic context. They show style and working method. Inquiries about works or possible smaller formats can be sent through SumiFox.

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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