Ink on paper

83.5×136 cm. 32 7/8×53 1/2 in.

Painted in 1981
Stamped with an artist's seal on bottom left

LITERATURE
1996-1998, YUICHI INOUE: catalogue rasonné of the works Vol3, Unac Tokyo, Tokyo, No.81048
PROVENANCE
Original Collection of Masaomi Kaikai
Private Collection, Asia

Note: A label signed and stamped by Masaomi Kaikai is affixed on the reverse

Ink Awakening, Dance of Time
Yuichi Inoue's Two Decades of Artistic Mastery

Calligraphy is a dance of the brush, a journey of the spirit. It transcends mere technique, revealing the soul's deepest emotions. Japanese calligraphy, enriched by the essence of Chinese Tang and Han traditions, has evolved to embody a unique aesthetic and spiritual depth. Yuichi Inoue pioneered this dance, breaking the constraints of tradition with bold strokes and magnified characters, infusing his work with the turbulence of his inner world.

Born in 1914 in Akita Prefecture, Japan, Yuichi Inoue began his artistic journey early in life. In 1935, he entered Tokyo Higher Normal School and later taught calligraphy at Yokote Middle School. In 1955, he participated in the Nitten, Japan's prestigious art exhibition, and was subsequently selected several times, winning the Special Selection Award in 1962—one of the highest honours in Japanese calligraphy. By the 1960s, Inoue had begun exhibiting internationally, gradually gaining recognition in the Western art world and becoming one of the first Japanese calligraphers widely acknowledged by the West.

Fuchi: Depths in Ink

Completed in 1961, Fuchi(Lot95) is one of Yuichi Inoue's most significant works. The character "淵" carries complex emotions and philosophical meaning, symbolizing a deep, mysterious body of water, symbolic of the boundless and profound. Inoue chose this character to express his deep reflections on life and his quest for self-discovery. The character is rendered in bold, heavy ink, with rough, powerful strokes. The spontaneous flow of ink contrasts sharply with the controlled brushwork, adding dynamism and tension to the piece. The well-placed negative space draws the viewer's focus to the character, leading them into an endless abyss. Through this simple yet profound composition, Inoue successfully materializes his internal struggles and contemplations, making Fuchi a manifestation of both philosophy and emotion.

Kubi ga Mogemashita: Broken Brush, Unbroken Spirit

In 1975, Yuichi Inoue suffered a stroke, marking a turning point in his later work. Perhaps sensing the impermanence of life, he began focusing less on formal composition and more on expressing his inner feelings. Kubi ga Mogemashita(Lot94), created in 1981, is one such piece. It recounts a famous incident where, while writing, Inoue's brush tip unexpectedly broke off. Instead of stopping, he continued to create with the broken brush. This event reflects his unique understanding of calligraphy: as long as the spirit of the writing remains, the physical brush is of little consequence. The interplay of ink intensity and space in this piece creates a striking visual contrast. His bold, uninhibited brushstrokes convey the intensity of his emotions at the moment of creation, a hallmark of his later works.

From the profound depths of Fuchi to the free-spirited strokes of Kubi ga Mogemashita, Yuichi Inoue's calligraphy narrates stories of life, emotion, and perseverance. Confronted with physical decline and creative challenges, he wielded his brush not only on paper but also with the strength of his spirit, pushing the boundaries of his art. Yuichi Inoue's artistic journey was a deep dialogue with himself and the world, moving through the dance of ink toward a rebirth of freedom.

Price estimate:
HKD 250,000 – 350,000
USD 32,100 – 44,900

Auction Result:
HKD: 300,000