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About us and our Calligraphy Organization
Artists involved in beyondcalligraphy.com project are members of the All Japan Organization of Calligraphy Art and Literature (全日本書芸文化院, Zen Nihon Shogei Bunkain) which has a long tradition and utmost respect here in Japan. We are also members of Shosoin (書宗院), a calligraphy organization devoted to the study and research of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, founded by grand master calligrapher Kuwahara Suihou (桑原翠邦) who was the most talented pupil of grand master Hidai Tenrai (比田井天来), often called “the father of modern calligraphy”. Grand master Hidai Tenrai was an initiator of avant-garde calligraphy in Japan, a trend that has had great influence not only on Chinese artists and calligraphers but also modern abstract painters, sculptors, etc., all over the world. 
The Project coordinator and mentor is a 72 years old master calligrapher Kajita Esshu (梶田越舟), who is not only a well-known calligrapher in Japan but also a chairman of both of the above mentioned entities. Master Esshuu is also a retired member of the Japanese Ministry of Education and Culture, actively involved in creating learning materials for calligraphy students in Japan nationwide. He has devoted his entire life to the art of calligraphy by sharing his vast knowledge on the subject with thousands of people, either directly or via numerous publications. Master calligrapher Kajita Esshu was an exceptional student of grand master Kuwahara Suihou. Today, apart from supporting various events and exhibitions, together with his wife, who is also an outstanding calligrapher, he organizes scholastic meetings throughout his calligraphy organization Esshu Shodoukai (越舟書道会), whose purpose is an in-depth analysis of both Chinese and Japanese classics (古典, koten) with emphasis on rinsho (臨書, i.e. copying ancient masters, which is considered traditional and most valued method of developing one’s skill and eventually, one’s personal style).
Author of text for the site is Ponte Ryuurui (品天龍涙, real name: Piotr Ponte-Sypniewski), a calligrapher, writer, poet and a sumi-e painter (墨絵, sumi-e; i.e ink painting), who has been a student of master Kajita Esshu for over a decade. Ponte Ryuurui is a member of Zenshogei and Soshoin organizations. He also actively engages in research of calligraphy related subjects via Esshuu Shodoukai scholastic group. His works are being displayed during calligraphic exhibitions in Japan, including National Art Gallery of Tokyo. Ponte Ryuurui is currently completing his book titled “Marvellous ink”, devoted to the art of calligraphy and its mysteries.
Explanatory note: Phonetic readings of Chinese characters found within the text of our website are mostly explained in Japanese language, with exceptions of names of Chinese masters, and few other terms.
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