This work is a rendition of Ryōkan’s Chinese poem Snowy Night in a Grass Hut. The poem, which begins with “Looking back over more than seventy years…,” was composed in the final years of Ryōkan’s life; he passed away at the age of 74. Having witnessed various aspects of the world, he now finds himself enclosed in a deep, snowbound night, quietly kindling a single stick of incense.

Between 1985 and 1992, Ishikawa created a total of nine different works based on this particular poem by Ryōkan. In this series, Ishikawa transitions from an earlier style characterized by a coexistence of wet, blurry brushstrokes to a later approach that is rather coarse and scratchy, relying almost exclusively on a dry and abrasive brush. Ryōkan Poem No. 2, as indicated by its title, is the second piece in the series and also employs a combination of wet and dry strokes. The interplay between these two techniques resonates with the mood of the original poem.

Reflecting on his university days, Ishikawa stated, “Even back then, Ryōkan had always been my favorite Japanese calligrapher. I copied Ryōkan’s calligraphy extensively, and also created various works directly inspired by his style” (Autobiography of Kyuyoh). He cites Ryōkan’s calligraphy, along with Chu Suiliang’s Preface to Sacred Teachings from the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda and the Sunshōan Shikishi—calligraphic excerpts of the Kokin Wakashū attributed to Ki no Tsurayuki—as masterpieces that greatly influenced him during his student days.

Ishikawa Kyuyoh (calligrapher; b. 1945)

Born in Fukui Prefecture, Japan in 1945. Graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University. After serving as a professor at Kyoto Seika University and the director of the Institute for Writing and Civilizations, he is now an emeritus professor at the same university. Ishikawa has elucidated the concept that “calligraphy is the art of hisshoku (taction),” and interprets the structure and history of calligraphy. As a critic, he is also active in discussions on the Japanese language and culture, which have had a significant impact across various fields. In both his artistic creations and written works, Ishikawa continues to produce cutting-edge expressions and insights. His body of work includes over 2,000 calligraphic pieces and more than 100 published books.