The direct grandson of Zhu Xi, the founder of Confucianism, held the first calligraphy and painting exhibition in Japan
——"Zhu Yadong× Zhu Tiankun's Ancestors and Grandchildren Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition" opens a new chapter in Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges
Chinese Herald On October 14, the Ginza Central Art Museum in Tokyo ushered in the high-profile "Zhu Yadong× Zhu Tiankun Ancestors and Grandchildren Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition". This exhibition is the second joint exhibition between Mr. Zhu Yadong and Mr. Zhu Tiankun after the successful joint calligraphy and painting exhibition held in Shanghai in 2021, and it is also the first time that they have shown their calligraphy and painting art in Japan.
The theme of this exhibition is "Life is the Journey of Art", and 72 works are on display. Among them, there are not only the calligraphy works of Mr. Zhu Yadong's profound and mature skills, but also the paintings painted by Zhu Tiankun with fresh and solid skills, which perfectly reflect the inheritance and unique innovation of the ancestors and grandchildren on the road of art.
Tradition meets innovation: grandparents and grandchildren join forces to show the charm of art
The exhibition is a cultural and generational encounter. Mr. Zhu Yadong, who is nearly 70 years old, is known for his calligraphy, and his works have a profound historical charm and cultural heritage, and are the representative of traditional Chinese calligraphy art. At just 11 years old, Zhu Tiankun shows the creativity of a new generation of artists, whose works include both traditional Chinese painting techniques and bold experiments in modern art.
In the exhibition hall, Mr. Zhu Yadong's calligraphy works and Mr. Zhu Tiankun's paintings "complement each other". Mr. Zhu Yadong's cursive writing is smooth and powerful, and his masterpiece "Haoran Righteousness" shows his deep understanding of life with his uninhibited brushwork. Zhu Tiankun's painting "Fire Tree Qihua" is full of innocence and imagination, and the color and composition in the painting are very innovative, attracting many audiences to stop and watch. Through their own creations, the two generations of artists show the artistic perspectives of different ages and styles, conveying the diversity and infinite possibilities of art.
Chinese painting "Fire Tree Qihua" (height 134.5cm, width 23.5cm) Zhu Tiankun painted at the age of 6
Chinese painting "Wealth and Prosperity" (height 65.5cm, width 44cm) Zhu Tiankun painted at the age of 11
『Proposed Essay Signification · Landscape brushwork' Zhu Tiankun made at the age of 10
Above: Lishu "Heart Sutra" Zhu Yadong 65-year-old book Below: Jinwen "Chengzhitang" Zhu Yadong 67-year-old book
Cursive script "Sun and Moon Caged Bird Qiankun Water Hui" Zhu Yadong 59 years old
Opening Remarks: A Bridge of Cultural Friendship between China and Japan
At the opening ceremony, five guests delivered speeches successively.
The first speaker was Mr. Zhu Yadong, the owner of the painting and calligraphy exhibition, who delivered a brief and sincere speech. He said: "Calligraphy and painting are an important link between the cultures of China and Japan. We hope that through this exhibition, we can further deepen the exchanges between the cultural circles of the two countries and promote the long-term development of friendship. Mr. Zhu Yadong's speech showed his mind as a cultural envoy and hoped to contribute to the friendly relations between China and Japan through his art.
Then, as a young artist in the exhibition, 11-year-old Zhu Tiankun was full of humility and intellectual curiosity in his speech. He recalled his experience of learning calligraphy and painting from a young age, and mentioned that under the guidance of his grandfather, he gradually understood the essence of artistic creation by imitating the forms of the natural world. This exhibition in Ginza was an important experience for him, and he said, "I hope that through this exhibition, I can show my work to more Japan audiences, and at the same time learn more techniques from senior artists and continue to improve myself." ”
Mr. Sakai, Chairman of the Foreign Cultural Exchange Association, delivered a speech on behalf of the guests. He talked about the cultural exchanges and artistic cooperation between Japan and China for many years, and expressed his high praise and expectations for the two artists. Mr. Sakai specifically mentioned that Zhu Khotankun's work reminded him of the works of Ikuo Hirayama, a giant of Japan art. He said: "Zhu Tiankun's 'Fire Tree Qihua', which was created when he was 6 years old, has a very different style, but it is similar to the power and charm conveyed in Ikuo Hirayama's works. It was touching that this talent was evident at such a young age. In his speech, Mr. Sakai recalled his deep friendship with Ikuo Hirayama, and hoped to strengthen the communication and cooperation between the art circles of China and Japan through this exhibition.
The fourth speaker was Ms. Ding Ruxia, the granddaughter of Mr. Ding Helu, one of the founders of Xiling Seal Society, and the president of the Ding Helu Research Association. In her speech, she admitted frankly that although she had not met Mr. Zhu Yadong before, she had already heard his name well. She mentioned that as soon as she entered the venue, she saw the bouquets sent by Chen Mingwu, the president of the Qin and Han Society, and Tong Yanfang, the vice president of the Xiling Seal Society, which showed the respect and blessings of the Chinese art circles for Zhu Yadong and Zhu Tiankun's ancestors. She also made a special mention of Zhu Tiankun's paintings, believing that although Mr. Zhu was young, he had already shown extraordinary painting skills. She said: "He not only inherited Zhu Xi's bloodline, but also painted a new art world through traditional brushwork. ”
Finally, Professor Zhu Jianrong, the founding president of the Japan Chinese Professors Association, delivered a toast. He introduced the story of a veteran soldier Japan with a sense of redemption and gratitude for the help of Chinese soldiers, who met calligrapher Zhu Yadong during his visit to China in the 80s to support construction and gave him selfless support. This time, Mr. Zhu Yadong hopes to renew the friendship between China and Japan, and let his grandchild Zhu Tiankun inherit the desire of Sino-Japanese exchanges, and also expressed his gratitude to the support of people from all walks of life such as the media in the Japan art world. Zhu Jianrong proposed to toast to the success of the exhibition and the health of the guests, and the atmosphere of the venue gradually reached a climax.
On-site waving: the on-site charm of calligraphy art
After that, Zhu Yadong and Zhu Tiankun cut the ribbon together with the guest representatives to announce the official opening of the calligraphy and painting exhibition. A new craze appeared in Mr. Zhu Yadong's live wave. As a well-known calligrapher at home and abroad, Mr. Zhu Yadong created a calligraphy work on the spot, which attracted the admiration of the guests. The art of calligraphy is an art form that emphasizes instantaneous inspiration and expression, and Mr. Zhu Yadong's works reflect his decades of profound calligraphy skills. This scene is not only a display of his artistic achievements, but also a vivid addition to the Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges on the spot. Many guests asked him to wave and left precious ink treasures as a souvenir.
Cultural Exchange: Dialogue and Integration of Chinese and Japanese Art
This exhibition is not only a display of calligraphy and painting works, but also an important platform for in-depth artistic and cultural exchanges between China and Japan. As we all know, China and Japan have a deep relationship in the art of calligraphy and painting, especially in calligraphy, and the artists of the two countries have promoted the inheritance and development of their respective arts through continuous exchanges and learning. The joint exhibition of Zhu Yadong and Zhu Tiankun's ancestors and grandchildren showed the charm of Chinese calligraphy and painting to Japan audiences, and through this form, more Japanese artists understood the diversity and depth of Chinese calligraphy.
The exhibition was supported by the Shanghai Chen Peiqiu Public Welfare Foundation, the Shanghai Collection Association, the Shanghai Jing'an District Calligraphers Association and other institutions, which shows that this event has a broad foundation in Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges. The cooperation between the Shanghai Institute of Calligraphy and Painting and the Xiling Seal Society shows the profound cultural heritage of the exhibition. The support of these institutions demonstrates the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese art in contemporary society, and also provides more opportunities for Chinese and Japanese artists to cooperate.
Looking to the future: the infinite possibilities of artistic inheritance
As one of the protagonists of the exhibition, 11-year-old Zhu Tiankun shines like a pearl, showing extraordinary artistic potential. From copying "Mustard Seed Garden Painting" at the age of 4 to exhibiting his works in Japan today, he has upheld his love for art and perseverance along the way. As Mr. Sakai said, "The young Khotan Kunjun will surely shine in the art world in the future." Although his work is still childish, the creativity and imagination in it have shown infinite possibilities.
For Mr. Zhu Yadong, this exhibition shows his personal artistic achievements and is also his expectation for the next generation as an art inheritor. In the exhibition, he shows his personal skills, as well as the precipitation and love of traditional culture. His cooperation with his grandson Zhu Tiankun is not only the inheritance of the family's art, but also conveys the importance of cross-generational inheritance of art and culture to the society with practical actions.
epilogue
"Zhu Yadong × Zhu Tiankun Ancestors and Grandchildren Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition" is not only an art exhibition, but also a grand event of Sino-Japanese cultural exchanges. At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, many celebrities and museum directors of Sino-Japanese exchanges came to congratulate them, such as Mr. Kazuaki Saionji, former vice chairman of the National Headquarters of the Japan-China Friendship Association, vice president of the Japan-China Friendship Association in Tokyo, and a well-known international friend, Mr. Nobuo Tsuotani, chairman of the Sejo Museum of Art, a designated non-profit activity corporation recognized by the Cabinet Office, and many Chinese and Japanese media heavyweights.
Participants can not only enjoy the works of the two artists, but also feel the interweaving and integration of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy and painting art in the new era. Through this exhibition, Zhu Yadong and Zhu Tiankun show the vitality and importance of traditional art in modern society and the great potential and possibility of Sino-Japanese exchanges in their unique ways.
The exhibition will last until October 20, and we look forward to more audiences coming to experience this art feast and continue to witness the vigorous development of cultural exchanges between China and Japan.
(Written by Yang Hao, University of Tokyo)