Draft:Matsumoto Chikuho

” Matsumoto Chikuho”, birth name Matsumoto Iwasuke, (松本筑峯,まつもと ちくほう, born on September 25th, 1918 - died on December 22nd, 2009) was a Japanese calligrapher and the leading figure and founder of Modern Hatai Calligraphy. He was born in Hakui city (now Hakusan city), in Ishikawa prefecture and raised in Shimotsuma city in Ibaraki prefecture in Japan. He was the president of the Toyo Calligraphy Art Association and honorary president of the Matsumoto Calligraphy Association. He published the monthly calligraphy magazine, "方円（Hoen）", and the quarterly calligraphy magazine, "破体(Hatai)," and authored numerous books including "The History of Hatai Calligraphy (Chinese Edition, Korean Edition and Japanese Edition)". He held solo and Hatai exhibitions around the world. His ultimate calligraphy art, "Hatai", was highly regarded internationally, and he worked enthusiastically and passionately to spread Hatai calligraphy around the world. He received awards such as the Republic of Korea Social Education and Culture Award, the Cultural Merit Award from Nanjing City, China, and the Cultural Exchange Contribution Award from Zhenjiang City, China. He also served as the chief judge at multiple Hatai Calligraphy exhibitions including the Hatai Calligraphy International Exhibition.

Education
Graduated from Ibaraki Prefectural Shimotsuma Middle School (now Ibaraki Prefectural Shimotsuma First High School)

In 1941, graduated from Tokyo School of Fine Arts (now Tokyo University of the Arts), Teacher Training Course

Major Life Events
In 1918, born as the fifth son of Matsumoto Gensuke in Hakui city in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan (now Hakusan city in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan).

In 1923, his father, Matsumoto Gensuke, was enshrined in Hakui city (now Ichirino town in Hakusan city) in Ishikawa prefecture, Japan, and named the shrine “Kaiseisha”.

In 1941, graduated from the Teacher Training Course at Tokyo School of Fine Arts. During his studies, he studied under prominent figures in Japan, for example, he studied kanji calligraphy under Ishibashi Saisui, kana calligraphy under Hidai Shokin, oil painting under Kobayashi Mango and Ihara Usaburo, and Japanese painting under Yazawa Gengetsu.

In 1941, he was appointed as an art teacher at Toyohashi Middle School in Aichi Prefecture (now Jishukan High School), Japan. After graduating from Tokyo School of Fine Arts, he pursued a parallel career as a teacher and researcher of Hatai calligraphy.

In 1943, recommended by Tokyo School of Fine Arts he was appointed as a calligraphy and art instructor at Tokyo Army Cadet School. Due to wartime material shortages, he focused more on calligraphy.

In 1944, he married Matsumoto Shiyu, the eldest daughter of Ishibashi Saisui.

In 1945, after Japan's defeat in WWII, the Tokyo Army Cadet School was closed. He was then appointed as an art and calligraphy teacher at Hachioji Municipal High School for Girls (now Tokyo Metropolitan Fujimori High School).

In 1949, he transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Machida High School as an art and calligraphy teacher.

In 1950, his father-in-law, Ishibashi Saisui, founded the Japan Calligraphy Education Society (currently one of the largest calligraphy associations in Japan) and published the monthly calligraphy magazine, "Fuji," in which he was the chief editor.

In 1950, his father Matsumoto Gensuke passed away, and he fully devoted himself to creating Hatai calligraphy.

In 1952, he presented his Hatai calligraphy debut work, “鳥遊（Bird Play)” at the second calligraphy society exhibition held by the Japan Calligraphy Education Society, founded by his father-in-law, Ishibashi Saisui, and Onoe Saishu, as a judge, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum, but it was severely criticized by some society members due to his innovative style.

In 1955, he founded the Toyo Calligraphy Art Association and Matsumoto Calligraphy Association and became their presidents. Since then Matsumoto Chikuho cut all ties with the Japanese calligraphy community and pursued his own path.

In 1956, he started publishing the monthly calligraphy magazine, "Hoen", as the chief editor, issued by the Toyo Calligraphy Art Association.

In 1973, he retired from the Tokyo Metropolitan Machida High School at the age of 55.

In 1974, he held a solo Hatai exhibition at Matsuya Ginza Gallery in Chuo-ward, Tokyo, Japan.

In 1981, he held a solo Hatai exhibition in Shimotsuma city in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan.

In 1983, he held a Hatai exhibition in Paris, France.

In 1984, he held a solo Hatai exhibition in Shimotsuma city in Ibaraki prefecture, Japan.

In 1985, he held a Hatai exhibition in Hawaii, USA.

In 1988, he held a Hatai exhibition in Zhenjiang, China.

In 1990, he held a Hatai exhibition in Vienna, Austria.

In 1990, he held a Hatai exhibition in Athens, Greece.

In 1990, he held a Korea-Japan Calligraphy Invitational Exhibition in Seoul, Korea.

In 1991, he participated in the Asia Art Invitational Exhibition hosted by the Korean Cultural Arts Research Institute in Seoul, Korea (participated annually thereafter).

In 1992, he held a Hatai exhibition in Beijing, China.

In 1992, he received the Republic of Korea Social Education Award.

In 1992, he erected a stele at the Yan Zhenqing Forest of Steles in Nanjing, China.

In 1992, he was selected as a cultural merit award recipient by Nanjing City, China.

In 1993, he established the "Hatai Monument Pavilion" in Jiaoshan in Zhenjiang, China.

In 1994, he held a solo Hatai exhibition at the Odakyu Museum of Art in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

In 1994, he received the Cultural Exchange Contribution Award from Zhenjiang City, China.

In 1994, he held a solo Hatai exhibition in London, UK.

In 1994, he held a solo Hatai exhibition in Bratislava, Slovakia.

In 1997, he held a special exhibition "Calligrapher - Matsumoto Chikuho Hatai Exhibition" at the Shimotsuma City Local History Museum in Shimotsuma, Ibaraki, Japan.

In 1998, he held a Hatai exhibition in Zhenjiang, China.

In 1998, he participated in the First International Calligraphy and Painting Art Exchange Grand Exhibition in Macau, China.

In 1999, he received the Asia Art Award in Seoul, Korea.

Achievements
Matsumoto Chikuho conducted thorough research on the highly artistic calligraphy method "Hatai," which combines two or more styles on a single work. He established a calligraphy method that combines square-style (隷書, clerical script) and round-style (金文, bronze script, 草書, cursive script). He left his mentor, Ishibashi Saisui, and engaged in the creation and promotion of Hatai calligraphy.

Matsumoto Chikuho held an annual Toyo Calligraphy Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, and held overseas exhibitions in China, Korea, Macau, Paris, Hawaii, Vienna, Athens, London, and Bratislava, etc. gaining attention for Hatai calligraphy worldwide.

Matsumoto Chikuho's Hatai works were created with attention to the following points:

* Use of 金文, bronze script (round-style) and 隷書, clerical script (square-style), sometimes supplemented by 草書, cursive script (round-style).

*Composition of the sheet with variation in character size and space.

*Expression of three-dimensional linear beauty by creating shading with a single stroke, etc.

Episodes
Matsumoto Chikuho was originally left-handed, but by the time he was around 5 years old, he had become ambidextrous, able to write and draw equally well with both hands.

Matsumoto Chikuho could draw a straight line with precision freehand without using a ruler.

From childhood, Matsumoto Chikuho decided to spend his life drawing. He loved drawing and had the ability to accurately depict objects. He was fascinated by Post-Impressionist paintings, the sculptures of Auguste Rodin, and the world of Pablo Picasso, and pursued his dream fervently, leading to his enrollment in an art school. Meeting his mentor and future father-in-law, Ishibashi Saisui, in the Teacher Training Course sparked his interest in calligraphy, and he realized that calligraphy was an art of lines.

While Matsumoto Chikuho was a student at university, Ishibashi Saisui, who was already a famous calligrapher, sat down next to each student and wrote with his or her brush. Matsumoto Chikuho was fascinated and inspired by his deep and powerful brush strokes.

Matsumoto Chikuho had a very precise composition in his mind when it came to creating his works, so he was able to create his works on his first try using only a single sheet of paper. This was unique as all calligraphers usually produce multiple versions of their work, sometimes more than a 100 version, and then select the best version.

While attending the art university, Matsumoto Chikuho met Ishibashi Saisui, who was teaching calligraphy at the art university at that time and persuaded him to change his major from painting to calligraphy. Ishibashi Saisui, who was a caring person, often invited the best students to his home to discuss calligraphy and share meals with them. Matsumoto Chikuho was inspired by Ishibashi Saisui's enthusiasm and dedication, leading him to devote his life to calligraphy.



In 1952, he exhibited "鳥遊 (Tori Asobu), Bird Playing" his first work in Hatai calligraphy, at the second exhibition of the Japanese Society of Calligraphy Education, which was organized by his father-in-law, Ishibashi Saisui. The work featured a large cursive "遊(Yu)" and a small "鳥（Bird）" in the right corner in the style of a gold inscription. However, Matsumoto Chikuho's first Hatai work was harshly criticized by some academy members. "I had fully planned this work, but they did not understand it. It may be unreasonable to say, but this had made up my mind. I couldn't work with such colleagues. And my desire to try my hand at Hatai became even stronger." - Matsumoto Chikuho. In fact, Matsumoto Chikuho's first piece of Hatai calligraphy, "鳥遊 (Tori Asobu), Bird Playing," appeared on the cover of the monthly calligraphy magazine "Fuji" the following month. He felt strongly that it would be difficult in the feudalistic world of Japanese calligraphy at that time to fully pursue the art of Hatai, so he decided to leave the Japanese Society of Calligraphy Education (founded by Ishibashi Saisui) and began to explore Hatai completely on his own. To ease the concerns of the committee members of the Japanese Society of Calligraphy Education he signed a memorandum stating that he would not take any students from their association. Matsumoto Chikuho's wife, Matsumoto Shiyu, was a great supporter and companion throughout his life, both personally and professionally.

Matsumoto Chikuho's contributions to calligraphy were recognized both nationally and internationally. He received various awards and honors throughout his life, celebrating his achievements and the impact of his work on the world of calligraphy. He left behind a legacy of innovation in calligraphy, with his Hatai method continuing to inspire and influence new generations of artists. His life's work serves as a testament to his dedication, creativity, and the enduring beauty of Hatai calligraphy.

Matsumoto Chikuho's creed was "to let my works speak for themselves".

Close Works
Film "Sen no Rikyu Honkaku-bo Yuibun" Poster Title, Toho Film
 * (1989 Venice International Film Festival San Marco Silver Lion Award-winning work)

Film "Ningen no Yakusoku" Title, All Works within the houses, Seiyu Film
 * (Officially Participating Work in the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, the Only One from Japan)

Drama " Masashi Yokomizo Masterpiece Suspense: Inugami-ke no Ichizoku" Title, TV Asahi, Nikkatsu (1990)

Inscription: Commemoration of the War Dead, "People Who Departed and Never Returned," in Tagaya Castle Site Park, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Inscription: "Post-War 50th Anniversary Memorial Monument," in Tagaya Castle Site Park, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Inscription: "In Commemoration of the Completion of the Prefectural Sewage Countermeasure Special Nursery Project," in Takasai, Shimotsuma City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Inscription: "Memorial to the Virtues of Matsumoto Gensuke, the District Chief of Nobi County," in Ichirino, Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan

Monument Construction: in Yan Zhenqing Stele Forest, Nanjing, China

Monument Construction: in Jiaoshan, Zhenjiang City, China

Holdings: three Hatai works in Morioka Hashimoto Museum of Art (transferred to Morioka City after the museum closed), Japan

Holdings: 2 Hatai works in Ibaraki Prefectural Shimotsuma First High School Sakura Learning Hall, Japan

Holdings: 5 Hatai works in Shimotsuma City Museum, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Holdings: "Moonlit Three Boats" at Tenryu-ji Temple, Japan

Holdings: "Mud Lotus" at Saku City Modern Art Museum, Japan

Holdings: "Asahi Rising Over Blue Pines" at Zhenjiang Museum, China

Holdings: "Birdsong and Flower Dance" at the National Buddhist Hall of Sri Lanka

Collection: "Moonlight Over a Thousand Miles" at the Museum of the Toruń Region, Poland (2010)

Collection: "All Things Are Transient" at the National Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic

Related People
Study under 石橋犀水– Ishibashi Saisui（kanji calligraphy）

Study under 比田井小琴– Shokin Hidai（kana calligraphy）

Study under 小林万吾 – Kobayashi Mango（oil painting）

Study under 伊原宇三郎 – Ihara Uzaburo（oil painting）

Study under 矢沢弦月 – Gengetsu Yazawa（Japanese painting）

Disciple 松本子游 – Matsumoto Shiyu

Disciple 河野重陽 – Kawano Choyo

Disciple 游高 - Yukoh

Disciple 中村霞城 – Nakamura Kajyo

Disciple 宮部北流 – Miyabe Hokuryu

Disciple 石田幽峯 – Ishida Yuho

Disciple 石田芝峯 – Ishida Shiho

Disciple 金子峰水 – Kaneko Hosui

Disciple 奥村利城 – Okumura Rijyo

Disciple 森下静道 – Morishita Seido

Disciple 太田旭峯 – Ohata Kyokuho

Disciple 高木祥雲 – Takagi Shoun

Disciple 井上杏苑 – Inoue Kyoen

Disciple 岡本青峯 – Okamoto Seiho

Disciple 鈴木蘭香 – Suzuki Ranko

Disciple 渡部華流 – Watanabe Karyu