Today we’d like to introduce you to Kuniharu Yoshida.
Hi Kuniharu, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, into a family of generational Master Calligraphers, and am currently based in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1990 at the age of six, I began to learn Japanese Calligraphy under Master Yoshiko Kawakita. After practicing traditional calligraphy for two decades, I moved to Los Angeles and began to experiment and collaborate with artists to combine sublime arts, merging traditional with contemporary. Respect between different cultures is the foundation of my work, designed to intertwine not just art but also audiences. Art is a great way to increase understanding amongst people of various backgrounds while communicating one’s culture in a simple and easy-to-understand manner.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I was taught and practiced for many years traditional Japanese calligraphy. Within the past ten years, I’ve expanded my calligraphy practice into the contemporary field by using unique and creative techniques and collaborating with other artists. The challenge I’ve encountered is the expansion to the contemporary; calligraphy is traditional, and staying from it is looked down upon. My work has expanded to involve color, various materials, and performances to teach and show others a different side of calligraphy, but that itself has had some challenges. Another challenge was my path into the Little Tokyo community, which I started to get involved with. I don’t want to be associated with just a singular place, so I’m starting to branch out in different cities to make other paths as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a Japanese Calligrapher and Hip-hop dance. I’ve been practicing calligraphy for around 30 years and dance for 20 years. I specialize in both art forms, and both help me with the other form. As a dancer, I am able to feel the unique rhythm that comes to life when I create brush strokes on a piece of paper. When I dance, I think about the strokes of movement.
I’m best known for doing live calligraphy performances; large-scale pieces combined with dance. I also do classes/workshops, murals, and calligraphy commission work.
Currently, I’m most proud of my performance for LACMA this past June; done for the 100th birthday celebration of the late artist, Sam Francis.
Any big plans?
I plan to focus on having solo gallery exhibitions and look forward to expanding my work to across the US and eventually, internationally.
Separately, I plan to continue working with artists of various mediums to continue my creative growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: kuniharuyoshida.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kuni_rhythm
- Other: https://youtu.be/SxBLMEKu5TA?si=gv1FAsCmeyc3nO1f
Image Credits
Wolf & Crane, 2017. Photo: Wilton Yeh.
