Expressions of the heart bridge cultural boundaries

PROFILE

I was born in 1980 and have been making calligraphy since the age of 2. At the age of 5, I was commissioned to create calligraphy works for the first page of the national monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine ミセス for a whole year. This caught the attention of the media and in 1987, I was featured in the 1 hour documentary film, Ayane's Four Seasons, that was shown on TV Asahi, a national television broadcaster. 

 

My mother, Shukin Muroya, a former calligraphy teacher, has instructed me in calligraphy techniques ever since I can remember. My father, Isshu Muroya, who is the founder of Jojoo calligraphy, taught me the ways of this free and expressive style of calligraphy. 

 

At the age of 13, I left Japan to study in England and in 2003, I graduated from Central Saint Martin’s College with a B.A. in Fine Art. My work has been exhibited in Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto, London, Berlin, Leipzig and Geneva. It has also been featured in numerous newspapers, magazines and TV programs and appeared on water bottles, sake labels and chopstick wrappings. 

 

Since settling in Noto, I have become a representative of Ishikawa and Noto-Town, bringing international artists to the area for joint exhibitions and holding a series of annual shows at the Shiinoki Cultural Complex in Kanazawa. 

 

In a further effort to help culturally invigorate the local area, I have started teaching Jojoo calligraphy at my Tokarin Studio in Uchiura-Nago, and am giving introductory lessons to foreign visitors who are interested in trying out one of Japan's oldest art forms.