A Room of Her Own: Kanazawa Shōko (Video)
Culture
Kanazawa Shōko
Shoka (calligraphy artist), also known professionally as Shōran. Born in Tokyo in 1985. Began studying calligraphy with her mother at age 5 and held her first solo exhibition, “The World of Calligraphy,” in 2005. Has since exhibited her works at such renowned temples throughout Japan as Kenchōji in Kamakura, Kenninji in Kyoto, and Tōdaiji in Nara. Held her first overseas show in 2015 in New York and had solo exhibitions in the Czech cities of Plzeň and Prague later that year. Is the co-author, with her mother, of several books, including Tamashii no sho (Calligraphy of the Soul) and Umi no uta, yama no koe (Songs of the Sea, Voices of the Mountain).
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When Kanazawa Shōko moved into her own small apartment in 2015 at the age of 30, her mother Yasuko thought that she would return to the family home within a week. The talented calligrapher has Down syndrome, and living by herself was a big step. But with the support of her neighbors, she is enjoying her new independence.
Shōko does her own cooking, washing, and cleaning. She enjoys practicing dancing to videos on her computer or iPad. The freedom to eat as she pleases, though, appears to have caused her to gain weight.
A five-minute walk away is the family home, where she focuses on her calligraphy. With the encouragement and guidance of her mother, she is now making preparations for a September exhibition at Ueno Royal Museum. We filmed a slice of her life in Tokyo.
Production and copyright: Nippon.com
Direction: Sugiyama Sachiko
Filming: Yoshida Hideo
Technical support: Nakata Ryōhei
Video editing: Mochizuki Hirofumi
Sound editing: Tanaka Keiko