By Yang (Sunny) Yu
The Artist and the Artwork
Visiting The Met, I was impressed by Kanzan (Hanshan) of Inoue Yūichi. This 1966 masterpiece combines East Asian traditions with modern artistic rebellion and blends the boundaries of calligraphy and abstract expressionism. Inoue, a Japanese artist who grew up in the smoke of World War II, expresses a unique artistic aspect regarding the ruins of Japan. As the master of the few-character school, he turned to the dynamics of abstract art while remaining rooted in East Asian calligraphy.
The focal point of this piece is the name “Kanzan,” referencing a Tang Dynasty monk and poet (Chinese: Hanshan) known for his reclusive life with his companion Jittoku (Chinese: Shide). This subject connects us to centuries of East Asian spiritual heritage - ideals of freedom, criticism, and empathy. Inoue’s explosive brushstrokes and emotional rawness brought this ancient figure in front of us.
A Close Look at Kanzan
Standing in front of Kanzan, I was struck by its monumental scale and dynamic energy. The oversized characters seem to jump off the paper. Each brushstrokes is charged with emotion—anger, joy, and freedom combined in a personal yet universally resonant way. Inoue’s work breaks the limit of language: even without understanding Chinese, the viewer feels the visual intensity of his calligraphy. Unlike the structured elegance of traditional calligraphy, the black ink is bold and chaotic, transforming this ancient Kanzan figure into a mirror reflecting the artist's own soul.
Chinese Characters: Read, Seen, and Aggregation
Chinese characters have two aspects: the meaning and content that can be read, and the shape and sound that can be seen. Characters are also living beings that are developing and changing day by day.
Inoue Yuichi was able to capture the complex and charming posture of Chinese characters through his creation. His calligraphy speaks of the integrity of characters and retains the above two aspects. Inoue displaced the words, distorted the form, gave the picture a change, and further enriched the connotation and image of the work based on the unique composition and writing method. The words written in this way are like being given life, full of vitality.
Inoue Yuichi's calligraphy not only stops at a single character, but also applies the aggregation of characters to build images. The continuous space of art brings the characters to life, jumping and moving on the panel. The characters also interact with each other, creating an ongoing echo.
Historical and Cultural Resonance
The historical and social context of Kanzan adds meaning to the work. Inoue created this work in postwar Japan. The country was rebuilding itself physically and spiritually, grappling between honoring traditions and embracing modernity. Since traditional calligraphy cannot match and adapt to modern culture, and viewers have no time to carefully read and think about ancient poems, modern Japanese calligraphy was born with intuitive visual forms. Inoue’s Kanzan shows this transformation by combining the explosive energy of abstract expression with the spiritual depth of traditional calligraphy.
The themes in Kanzan’s poems resonate deeply with the struggles of postwar Japan. His works can be broadly divided into two themes: reflecting the internal contradictions of the ruling class and the harsh living conditions of the lower classes; exploring the lives of monks and the ideas of nihilism, karma, reincarnation, and escapism take center stage.
In Inoue’s interpretation, Kanzan becomes a symbol of spiritual independence and resilience. These ideals resonate with the postwar Japanese society which seeks stability and meaning in the face of death and ruin. By capturing this essence, Inoue’s Kanzan expresses the encouragement on independence and resilience of the human spirit amidst adversity.
Beyond Kanzan
What made my visit to THE MET even more impressive was how this piece cooperates with the other works on display to narrate the intersection of tradition and innovation in East Asian art's evolution. The museum builds a dialogue across time and space, inviting viewers to consider how culture adapts and transforms.
Conclusion
Inoue Yūichi’s Kanzan exhibits the dual nature of Chinese characters. Inoue reimagines Chinese characters with dynamics and combines the visual and textual qualities to create an expressive and intuitive art form. The work also connects its historical background with the content. Created in postwar Japan, a time of cultural and spiritual rebuilding, the work reflects a society seeking stability. Kanzan reflects on this historical moment to encourage resilience and independence.
Sunny (Yu) Yang is the Treasurer of the Art Committee. Sunny is a second year student at the Rotman School of Commerce. Her favourite art medium is markers. If she could master any techniques it would be digital art.
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