Baikei Uehira

Baikei Uehira (上平梅径), born Tatsuyoshi Uehira (June 28, 1964) in Izumisano, Japan, is a master calligrapher and teacher as well as president of the Seisho Calligraphy Association in Osaka. Originally pursuing calligraphy only for the love of writing, he has gone on to develop new pathways and styles of traditional Japanese calligraphy through collaborations, art shodo, and live performances. Uehira is considered a pioneer of live calligraphy and continues to create innovative works with hopes of expanding interest in Japanese writing to others.

Uehira Baikei (上平梅径)
BornJune 28, 1964 (1964-06-28) (age 56)
Izumisano, Japan
Years active1986–Present
TitleFounder of Seisho Shohokai
Websitebaikei.org

Biography

Early years

At age 6, Uehira began calligraphy classes at school as do most Japanese students. Unlike most children however, he loved calligraphy from day one and continued attending classes through high school. After high school Uehira performed live as a vocalist for the rock band 零夢 (0 Dream). Though music was one of his passions, he decided that he could not support himself with music alone and determined that it was time to begin serious calligraphy study at university.

Shortly thereafter, he took his calligraphy college entrance exam but was rejected both the first and second years that he applied. After more than one year of doing menial jobs Uehira at last was able to enter professional Japanese calligraphy school in Tokyo.

While studying Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, Japanese literature, kanji interpretation, etc., Uehira practiced fervently, bundling pages in an old cloth to carry them to and from school. Inspired by Kūkai (空海) he dreamed of creating innovative works to inspire future generations. Though the young Uehira put great effort into his studies, many teachers felt his work was poor. Desperately he approached teacher and mentor Kyoshuu Mochizuki with his work. Master calligrapher Mochizuki carefully reviewed each sheet of Uehira's writing, offering words of advice. The budding artist was moved to tears and was motivated to amplify his efforts.

Due to a somewhat mysterious event at age 22, a scarred Uehira returned to Osaka. Devastated and unmotivated, he began working at a calligraphy supply shop just to stay busy. A calligraphy teacher who was a frequent customer invited Uehira to train with him, which turned out to be a huge blessing. Uehira did so for eight years at the most well-known calligraphy group in Kansai.

Establishment of the Seisho Calligraphy Association

At age 29, making the most of his training, Uehira established and became president of his own calligraphy association, 青霄 (Seisho), ‘cloudless blue sky.’ He has gone on to found schools in Osaka (Namba, Shinsaibashi, and Umeda) and continues to teach, perform, and lecture.

Uehira currently lives with his wife Seikei (also a calligrapher) and three children in the Kansai area. As of October 2017, more than 2,000 students study under them.

Career and activity in Calligraphy

Calligraphy Art

1997 - Umeda Sky Building Kuuchuuteien (aerial garden) exhibition; a collaboration project of calligraphy and flower arrangement Shokasanran with teachers from CB International Flower Arrangement College

1998 - Calligraphy for TV commercial Kiku Masamune, titled「一」one

2000 - Calligraphy on a large scale Japanese fan for an event at Osaka Kourakuen Hotel

2000 - Guest appearance for Shoukyokusai Kotenshou's live event at Yoshimoto Enterprise Waha Kamigata

2000 - Live calligraphy for ‘Kobe requiem’ (lyric writer: Maho Okamoto) on the Kobe Liner passenger ship; the piece was created to be housed at the Hokudanchou Earthquake Memorial Hall on Awaji Island

2001 - Appearance on Sutekina Furusato Yume Tanbou TV Osaka

2002 - Hana No Iro Wa Utsurini Kerina live stage calligraphy event at Umeda Daimaru Osaka[1]

2002 - Yume (dream) live event at Umeda Daimaru Osaka

2005 - Exhibition of classic calligraphy works for Osaka City Art Museum

2006 - Calligraphy used in the opening of ABC's TV show of new comedians titled Owarai Shinjin Grand Prix

2007 - Appearance for Annta Kakkoeena Sukina Dake Yari and Bou TV commercial

2007 - 「響」 (hibiki) writing for the opening title of ‘Artist Special’ on SKY PerfecTV!

2008 - New Year card workshop sponsored by Japan Post[2]

2009 - Live writing on shikishi (small drawing boards used for poetry) at Shinsaibashi Dekimonoshou Exhibition in Daimaru

2009 - Calligraphy at Mikage Yuzuruha Shrine's Hanabira Festival

2010 - Performance at the 1000 guest opening of the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo

2010 - Performance and exhibition of works at Kyoto Kokusai Kouryuu Kaikann

2011 - Live writing at Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai

2011 - Performance at Granvia Hotel in Kyoto

2012 - Guest appearance on Ameagari Show Club

2012 - Performance at Swissôtel for Nikkei public listing celebrations

2012 - Calligraphy for Geidankyo Kansai Council

2012 - Ehime Cultural Festival performance in Osaka

2012 - Appeared on "Yoidon" show, Kansai TV

2013 - Guest appearance on Hotnet [[:jp:ベイ・コミュニケーションズ Baycom TV]]

2013 - USA tour to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles (included 2 live performances for the Japan Foundation)[3]

2013 - Guest appearance on Yomiuri TV "Sumatan ZIP"

2014 - Performance and workshop at Plaza Club in Honolulu, Hawaii[4]

2014 - Wrote a 100-foot scroll at First Friday art event in Honolulu, Hawaii[5]

2014 - Two live shows at Waikiki Marriott Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii[6]

2014 - Performance and workshop at Honolulu Museum of Art School in Honolulu, Hawaii [7]

2014 - Live writing for Nikko Securities ceremony in Tokyo[8]

2014 - Workshop at Galleria Arte Giappone in Milano, Italy[9][10]

2014 - Performance/workshop at Castrocaro Medieval Fortress[11][12]

2014 - Performance/workshop at Japan Expo in Paris[13]

2015 - Presented artwork to world heritage Kudoyama City (Ichiganji Temple)[14]

2015 - Chamber of Commerce event hosted by Mihana Keiya

2015 - Calligraphy performances for Ai Matsuri in Java and Sumatra[15][16]

2015 - Paper door writing ceremony at Fukichin Temple, Mount Koya

2015 - Performance for sister city governments of Izumisano and Shanghai

2015 - Dokuritsu Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan[17]

2015 - Mainichi Newspaper Exhibition national showing[18]

2015 - Big brush workshop at the Asia and Pacific Trade Center

2016 - Performance and workshop for Gyokuzan Kikumoto in Taipei, Taiwan[19]

2016 - Presented works to Tengard Holdings in Hong Kong

2016 - Donated works to Jizouji Temple in Wakayama, Japan[20]

2016 - Performed at G7 Summit in Tsukuba, Japan[21]

Calligraphy Collaboration

1999 - Live calligraphy with flamenco guitarist Jirou Yoshikawa at WTC Cosmo Tower

2001 - Appearance at Jazz Show writing: Yume Haruka, Ai Eien, and Kotobuki at Takarazuka Hotel

2002 - Collaboration with iwabue (traditional stone flute) at Mikage Yuzuruha Shrine in Kobe

2002 - Collaboration with shamisen, percussion, and dance at Yoshimoto Enterprise Waha Kamigata

2003 - Joint live event with shakuhachi and sitar at Mikage Yuzuruha Shrine in Kobe

2003 - Live writing of Fuusetsuenbu with music, and imagery

2004 - Calligraphy performance for a Seizan Ichikawa shamisen lecture at Suita Mei Theater[22]

2005 - Guest appearance for a tandem event with acclaimed shamisen artist Kubosan at Taikoen in Kyobashi, Osaka

2006 - Large calligraphy at Seizan Ichikawa's Kokera Otoshi Concert at Nishinomiya Geijutsu Bunka Hall

2006 - Performance for a New Year celebration at Westin Hotel Awaji

2006 - Collaboration with clarinetist Hariyamasan at Kobe Hotel[23]

2006 - Big brush writing for the program titled Voice, (with Hiroshi Kubo playing tsugaru shamisen) an MBS News special program

2007 - Performing live for NHK TV show Motto Motto Kansai

2007 - Teaching with newscaster Yoko Suka of YTV News's New Scramble

2008 - Performing live for NHK TV show News Terrace

2008 - Performing live for Kansai TV show News Anchor

2008 - Appearance on ABC TV show Ohayou

2008 - Writing in TV commercial for Hankyu Sanbangai

2009 - Writing New Year cards for a Kansai TV 「美」 (beauty) program

2009 - Performance collaborating with wadaiko (Japanese drums) at Watashi No Shigotokan in Kyoto

2009 - Teaching calligraphy to Yuuichi Wazumi of MBS's Eenaa

2010 - Collaborating on big brush calligraphy with Naomi Matsushima for TV show Kirakira Afro

2010 - Hanshinsan writing for a TV commercial at 「 廣斉堂」 studio

2010 - Calligraphy for TV commercial titled Tiger Tsuchi De Taku[24]

2011 - Performance with dancer Mihana Keiya and shamisen artist Seizan Ichikawa[25]

2012 - Art fundraiser for Fukushima victims in Mino, Japan

2012 - Live with calligrapher Raikei at Suita Mei Theater Main Hall

2013 - Donated works to Kobe Ginga Club Magazine[26]

2013 - Live show for Chiayi City Cultural Festival in Taiwan

2013 - Live collaboration at world heritage Kasuga Taisha Shrine with bushido master Umeda Masami in Nara, Japan

2013 - Shamisen creative dance collaboration in Bangkok, Thailand[27]

2013 - Calligraphy collaboration with Lady Gaga on Yomiuri TV's "Sukkiri" show　[28]

2014 - Body art collaboration and exhibition with Chanel Tanaka in Honolulu, Hawaii[29]

2014 - Collaboration with tattoo artist Richie Lucero at CoXist Studio Honolulu, Hawaii[30]

2014 - Live collaboration and exhibition with Persian/Arab calligrapher Arash Shirinbab in Oakland, USA[31]

2015 - Participated in the 5th International Exhibition of Calligraphy in Moscow[32]

2015 - Gallery showing with ceramics master Banjoya Takeshi

2015 - Collaboration with fiddler Hidenori Omori [33]

2015 - Collaboration with swordsman Umeda Masami at Himuro Shrine

2015 - Collaboration with shamisen artist Kubo Hiroshi[34]

2016 - Performed with Umeda Masami, Kubo Hiroshi, Seizan Ichikawa, and Okamoto Maho at Kobe's Kitano Garden

  • English Homepage
  • Uehira Baikei / Seisho Calligraphy Association [official website -公式サイト]
  • Japanese Homepage
  • 上平梅径 / 青霄書法会 [official website -公式サイト]

References
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  8. 株式会社グッドウェイ,info@goodway.co.jp,goodway,http://www.goodway.co.jp/. "【日本取引所グループ】同日に2本、上場セレモニー開催！新しい株価指数「JPX日経インデックス400」に連動するETF（上場投資信託）、東京証券取引所に上場！ - 株式会社グッドウェイ：金融＆ＩＴ業界／フィンテック（FinTech）の情報ポータルサイト".CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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  15. University Bung Hatta
  16. "Ai Matsuri! – Padang (Pertukaran Dua Budaya)". 28 January 2015.
  17. Dokuritsu Exhibition Awards
  18. Mainichi Newspaper Exhibition Prize List
  19. "日本書法大師 上平梅径老師來台示範教學在... - 雲心書法（雲心草堂）'s video - flog".
  20. "天井画「地蔵昇龍」を開眼法要♪高野山麓の地蔵寺 - 高野山麓　橋本新聞".
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  23. City of Kobe
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  30. "inkwell – Heyevent.com".
  31. "Ziya, Islamic calligraphy, Bay Area, California, c".
  32. "Baikei Uehira - International Exhibition of Calligraphy".
  33. "フィドル奏者 大森ヒデノリ Fiddler : Hidenori Omori".
  34. "Japanese Culture Day". Archived from the original on 2016-08-11. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
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