Mitsuru Kamikubo's Innovative Kanji-Line: Tengafuchin

Blending Traditional Japanese Art with Modern Street Graffiti

Mitsuru Kamikubo's design inspiration stems from beard letters, graffiti art, and traditional Japanese calligraphy. The Kanji-Line series explores the principle that a character only takes on its meaning after its last stroke has been drawn. Kamikubo challenges this notion by creating works that convey a fluid sensory impression of the brush strokes beyond the characters themselves.

The unique properties of Kamikubo's design lie in its exploration of Kanji and street art. The design breaks down Kanji, used in some Asian countries, from a picture changed to letters, back into pictures, creating a pattern that attracts attention. This innovative approach to typography art sets Kamikubo's work apart from others in the field.

Created using acrylic paint, stencil, and fluorescent spray on a wooden frame, the Kanji-Line series measures W1035 x H250 x D24mm. The frame is built with wood and coated with a glossy black paint, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the artwork. The materials used, including gold ink for woodblock prints and aerosol spray, contribute to the unique visual effect of the design.

This project, which started in February 2017 and finished in May 2017 in Tokyo, saw Kamikubo overcoming creative and technical challenges. The designer sought to find a balance between a shape that looks like a character but isn't, and a picture that looks like a character. The result is a comfortable line that viewers can read and interpret in their own way.

In conclusion, Mitsuru Kamikubo's "Kanji-Line: Tengafuchin" is a testament to the designer's innovative approach to typography art. By combining traditional Japanese culture with modern graffiti art, Kamikubo has created a new expression that attracts attention and invites interpretation. The design's success is evident in its recognition with the Silver A' Fine Arts and Art Installation Design Award in 2018.