Nao Kitamura
She began practicing calligraphy at the age of five and has received numerous prestigious awards. Grounded in classical techniques, she reexamines cultural history from a unique perspective, employing materials such as Japanese paper, sumi ink, and silver and gold leaf to pursue abstract expression.
Drawing on the sensibilities of calligraphy—particularly The Art of Blank Space—'余白 Yohaku' and nijimi (bleeding ink)—she liberates these elements from the confines of written characters. Her work blends the spirit of wabi-sabi with expansive abstract compositions, forming a distinct visual language. Rather than seeking perfection, her pieces embrace ambiguity and imperfection, offering viewers a meditative experience that reawakens an awareness of ever-changing existence.
Drawing on the sensibilities of calligraphy—particularly The Art of Blank Space—'余白 Yohaku' and nijimi (bleeding ink)—she liberates these elements from the confines of written characters. Her work blends the spirit of wabi-sabi with expansive abstract compositions, forming a distinct visual language. Rather than seeking perfection, her pieces embrace ambiguity and imperfection, offering viewers a meditative experience that reawakens an awareness of ever-changing existence.
Yohaku is never empty—it is a space imbued with time and intention. Within its stillness emerge moments of accidental diffusion and the quiet coexistence of ephemerality and eternity.
The gentle oxidation of silver leaf becomes a symbol of impermanence and the inevitable passage of time. This transformation subtly evokes the Eastern philosophies of shogyo mujō (the impermanence of all things) and wabi-sabi. This body of work visualizes time—an invisible force—and invites us to quietly reflect on presence and transformation within our everyday lives.
solo Exhibitions
2023
“Nao Kitamura Solo Exhibition” – TRUNK(HOTEL) ROOM101, Shibuya, Tokyo
2023
“Nao Kitamura Solo Exhibition” – TRUNK(HOTEL) ROOM101, Shibuya, Tokyo
group Exhibitions
2025
“Yohaku no Ato Exhibition” – Iwataya Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi, Tenjin, Fukuoka
“OSAKA Art & Antique Fair” – Osaka Art Club, Imahashi, Osaka
“Yohaku no Ato Exhibition” – Iwataya Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Fukuoka Mitsukoshi, Tenjin, Fukuoka
“OSAKA Art & Antique Fair” – Osaka Art Club, Imahashi, Osaka
2024
“THE HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024” – +ART GALLERY, Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, Tokyo
“Joint Exhibition at the Imperial Hotel Plaza” – GALLERY H&T, Imperial Hotel Plaza, Hibiya, Tokyo
“Vertical + Horizontal: Spring 2024 Exhibition” – Miri Collection, Shirokane, Tokyo
“Vertical + Horizontal: Autumn 2024 Exhibition” – Miri Collection, Shirokane, Tokyo
“Ming Tsung Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ming Tsung Calligraphy Art Museum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
“THE HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024” – +ART GALLERY, Tokyu Plaza Shibuya, Tokyo
“Joint Exhibition at the Imperial Hotel Plaza” – GALLERY H&T, Imperial Hotel Plaza, Hibiya, Tokyo
“Vertical + Horizontal: Spring 2024 Exhibition” – Miri Collection, Shirokane, Tokyo
“Vertical + Horizontal: Autumn 2024 Exhibition” – Miri Collection, Shirokane, Tokyo
“Ming Tsung Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ming Tsung Calligraphy Art Museum, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
2023
“Exhibition 0” – +ART GALLERY, Shibuya Scramble Square, Tokyo
“The 34th Ikubunsha Calligraphy Exhibition” – Central Museum Ginza, Tokyo
“Exhibition 0” – Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Sakae, Nagoya
“GRAPHIC ART EXHIBITION” – RECTO VERSO GALLERY, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
“The 85th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 51st Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“Exhibition 0” – FLORE Artist Gallery, Kobe, Hyogo
“Exhibition 0” – +ART GALLERY, Shibuya Scramble Square, Tokyo
“The 34th Ikubunsha Calligraphy Exhibition” – Central Museum Ginza, Tokyo
“Exhibition 0” – Mitsukoshi Art Gallery, Sakae, Nagoya
“GRAPHIC ART EXHIBITION” – RECTO VERSO GALLERY, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
“The 85th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 51st Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“Exhibition 0” – FLORE Artist Gallery, Kobe, Hyogo
2022
“The 84th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 50th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“0 Exhibition” – GALLERY CONCEPT 21, Omotesando, Tokyo
“The 38th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 9th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 3rd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
“The 84th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 50th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“0 Exhibition” – GALLERY CONCEPT 21, Omotesando, Tokyo
“The 38th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 9th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 3rd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
2021
“The 83rd Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 49th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 37th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 2nd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
“The 83rd Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 49th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 37th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 2nd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
2020
“The 47th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 2nd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
“The 47th Exhibition of Japanese Calligraphy” – The National Art Center, Roppongi, Tokyo
“The 2nd Saikan Calligraphy Exhibition” – Ginza Daikokuya Gallery, Tokyo
2019
“The 81st Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 81st Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
2018
“The 80th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
“The 80th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition” – Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Tokyo
Awards
Special Kenshin Prize, 82nd Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition,
Recommended Advisor Award, 83rd Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition
Excellence Award, 37th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition
Special Kenshin Prize, 84th Kenshin Calligraphy Exhibition
Excellence Award, 38th Yomiuri Calligraphy Exhibition
Selected for the 9th Japan Fine Arts Exhibition
キタムラ ナオ
彼女は5歳から書道を始め、数々の名誉ある賞を受賞しました。古典的な技法を礎にしながら、独自の視点で文化的歴史を再考し、和紙・墨・箔などの素材を用いて、抽象的な表現を追求しています。
これまでに書道で培った「余白」や「滲み」の表現を、「字」という枠から解放し、侘び寂びの精神とともに、画面いっぱいに展開される独自のスタイルへと昇華させています。彼女の作品は完璧さを求めるものではなく、「あいまいさ」や「不完全さ」に価値を見出し、鑑賞者に変化し続ける存在へのまなざしを再認識させる、瞑想的な体験を提供します。
余白は決して空虚ではなく、時間や意味を宿す意図的な空間です。静けさの中に現れる滲みの偶然性、そして余白が醸し出す永遠性が交錯するその一瞬に、儚さと永遠が共存します。
銀箔が静かに酸化していく様子は、抗えない時間の流れと、移ろいゆく存在の儚さを象徴しています。その変化は、東洋的な「諸行無常」や「侘び寂び」の感性を静かに呼び起こします。目には見えない「時間」という存在を可視化し、私たちの日常に潜む「存在」や「変化」を受け入れるための、静かな問いかけです。
solo Exhibitions
2023
「Nao Kitamura Solo Exhibition」 TRUNK(HOTEL) ROOM101/東京渋谷
「Nao Kitamura Solo Exhibition」 TRUNK(HOTEL) ROOM101/東京渋谷
group Exhibitions
2025
「余白のあと展」福岡三越 岩田屋三越美術画廊/福岡天神
「大美特別展」大阪美術倶楽部/大阪今橋
2024
「THE HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024」＋ART GALLERY 東急プラザ渋谷/東京渋谷
「Joint Exhibition at the Imperial Hotel Plaza」GALLERY H&T 帝国ホテルプラザ/東京日比谷
「垂直＋水平展 2024 Spring」Miri Collection/東京白金
「垂直＋水平展 2024 Autumn」Miri Collection/東京白金
「明宗書篆主題展」明宗書法芸術館 陳明德/台湾高雄
2023
「0展」＋ART GALLERY 渋谷スクランブルスクエア/東京渋谷
「第34回 郁文社書道展」セントラルミュージアム銀座/東京銀座
「0展」名古屋栄三越 美術画廊/愛知名古屋
「GRAPHIC ART EXHIBITION」RECTO VERSO GALLERY/東京日本橋
「第85回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第51回 日本の書展」 国立新美術館/東京六本木
「0展」FLORE Artist Gallery/兵庫神戸
2022
「第84回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第50回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「0展」GALLERY CONCEPT 21/東京表参道
「第38回 読売書法展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第9回 日展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第3回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
「大美特別展」大阪美術倶楽部/大阪今橋
2024
「THE HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024」＋ART GALLERY 東急プラザ渋谷/東京渋谷
「Joint Exhibition at the Imperial Hotel Plaza」GALLERY H&T 帝国ホテルプラザ/東京日比谷
「垂直＋水平展 2024 Spring」Miri Collection/東京白金
「垂直＋水平展 2024 Autumn」Miri Collection/東京白金
「明宗書篆主題展」明宗書法芸術館 陳明德/台湾高雄
2023
「0展」＋ART GALLERY 渋谷スクランブルスクエア/東京渋谷
「第34回 郁文社書道展」セントラルミュージアム銀座/東京銀座
「0展」名古屋栄三越 美術画廊/愛知名古屋
「GRAPHIC ART EXHIBITION」RECTO VERSO GALLERY/東京日本橋
「第85回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第51回 日本の書展」 国立新美術館/東京六本木
「0展」FLORE Artist Gallery/兵庫神戸
2022
「第84回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第50回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「0展」GALLERY CONCEPT 21/東京表参道
「第38回 読売書法展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第9回 日展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第3回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
2021
「第83回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第49回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第37回 読売書法展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第2回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
2020
「第47回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第2回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
2019
「第81回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
2018
「第80回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第83回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
「第49回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第37回 読売書法展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第2回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
2020
「第47回 日本の書展」国立新美術館/東京六本木
「第2回 才幹書展」銀座大黒屋ギャラリー/東京銀座
2019
「第81回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
2018
「第80回 謙慎書道会展」東京都美術館/東京上野
Awards
第82回 謙慎書道会展において「特選謙慎賞」受賞
第83回 謙慎書道会展において「推薦顧問賞」受賞
第37回 読売書法展において「秀逸」受賞
第84回 謙慎書道会展において「特選謙慎賞」受賞
第38回 読売書法展において「秀逸」受賞
第9回 日展において入選