Master Juichi Yoshikawa is a renowned Japanese calligrapher, or sho artist. He is known for his avant-garde "three and a half dimensions" style, which applies observation as the additional dimension. To an untrained observer, this approach might be characterized as artistic flamboyance known by the use of giant brushes and stadium-sized canvases - or, as in the large 1990 Beijing installation, by almost completely covering the 5,000 square metres of Tiananmen Square.
Yoshikawa was born in Fukui, Japan, in 1943. He studied calligraphy formally under Inamura Undo, and later with Ueda Sokiu. His work has been presented throughout Japan, China, and the Middle East. He is also the author of a 1993 French publication on his form, Sho.
Yoshikawa's work is often inspired by nature and the human form. He has also collaborated with several poets, illustrating their works with his experimental calligraphy. The first collection, Shake the Whole World To Its Foundations (2001 Shichosha Publishing), is an epic rhythmical chant densely type-set on the page with delicate and often simple brush-stroke accompaniments.
Yoshikawa is a highly respected calligrapher and artist. His work has been praised for its beauty, originality, and technical virtuosity. He is also a dedicated teacher, and his workshops are popular with students of all levels.