ITOCHU Corporation (headquartered in Minato-ku, Tokyo; Masahiro Okafuji, President & CEO; hereinafter “ITOCHU”) opened ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE in the CI Plaza, a commercial facility situated next to ITOCHU’s Tokyo Headquarters, in October 2012, aspiring to encourage the next generation, contribute to the community and promote art and culture in Japan and abroad as part of its social contribution activities. A number of exhibitions have since been held in the space.

The ITOCHU AOYAMA ART SQUARE will soon hold a new exhibition titled Exhibition of the Future of Calligraphy with the participation of a group of eight young and energetic calligraphers, aiming to cultivate the next generation of artists. Mr. Yuichi Inoue is one of few modern Japanese calligraphers gaining an internationally renowned recognition for postwar Japanese modern art. He has developed calligraphy which consists of paper and India ink as the object of the expression of individuals within the context of modern art. Mr. Hisashi Yamamoto, who compiled the catalogue raisonné for Mr. Inoue and who has learned many things from his work, has pursued a new form of calligraphy in the footsteps of Mr. Inoue for twenty five years and continues his efforts to promote the world of calligraphy in art settings at home and abroad. This exhibition will showcase works of great individuality created by eight calligraphers together with the works of Mr. Yamamoto. In addition, along with the works of the eight artists, the works of the great master, Mr. Yuichi Inoue, will be also exhibited. We hope very much that you will take a look at the future of calligraphy, as imagined by the eight calligraphers who will lead the future generation.

"poison and small huts"
Period: Thursday, January 12, 2017 to Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Venue: Yumiko Chiba Associates’ Viewing Room, Shinjuku
Artists participating in the exhibition: Eiko Asano, Hisashi Yamamoto

"Modern Art: World of Calligraphy"
Period: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 to Monday, February 27, 2017
Venue: Takashimaya Shinjuku Art Gallery
Artists participating in the exhibition: Sumiko Sawamura, Gen Miyamura, Hisao Yugami, Hisashi Yamamoto(special exhibition: Yuichi Inoue *undecided)