[ LOCAL COLOR ]
"Echo" is one of the works by Toko Shinoda on exhibit and for sale at Robyn Buntin of Honolulu.
Luxurious simplicity
In Toko Shinoda's 91-year career, she has received international acclaim and is recognized as a pre-eminent artist in the genres of Japanese calligraphy and contemporary painting. Her work, including avant-garde paintings, calligraphy and monotype lithographs, will be on view with works available for sale through April 4 at the Robyn Buntin of Honolulu gallery.
Shinoda, born in 1913 in Manchuria but raised in Japan, was encouraged by her father to study calligraphy, possibly because it was one of the few respected professions open to Japanese women at the time.
Somewhat rebellious all her life, Shinoda resented being required to slavishly copy Japanese characters as required. She wanted to imbue them with her own feelings, with a freshness and spontaneity that carried them into the abstract so that anyone could be moved by the emotion they conveyed.
"Aspiration" combines calligraphy-style strokes with blocks of color.
A show and sale of more than 80 works of calligraphy and paintings by Japan's most esteemed budo (martial arts) masters also will continue through April 4 at the gallery.
Robyn Buntin gallery
Location: 848 S. Beretania St.Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday
Call: 523-5913
The Zen art has been collected for more than 20 years by John Stevens, a professor of Buddhist studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, Japan, and a former adjunct professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Stevens is one of the world's leading authorities on the appreciation of Zen art and is the author of numerous books, including "Sacred Calligraphy of the East."
Famous artists and Zen practitioners whose art is represented in the collection include Yamaoka Tesshu, Katsu Kaishu, Nantembo, Deishu, Takano Sasaburo, Yokozuna Chiyonofuji and Tempu.
"Enso" by Rangyu is one of the works from the John Stevens Collection on view and for sale at Robyn Buntin. It's $3,000.
"Daruma" by Ota Maigan runs $2,000.
"Takasago" by Yamaoka Tesshu runs $6,500.
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