The Power of Two Characters That Carve Through an Era.
Jet-black ink spreads across the entire canvas.
Dancing upon it are two kanji characters: “revolution.”
The spirit dwelling in each stroke, the forcefulness that seems ready to pierce through the paper—anyone who witnesses this work will catch their breath.
What calligrapher Shourin Iwasaki has poured into his brush is not mere characters.
It is the cry of a soul seeking to transform the times, the very resolve of a revolutionary breaking through established conventions.
＼ 岩﨑翔凛のSTORESはこちら！ ／
The Deep Meaning Held Within “Revolution”
“Revolution”—this word originally derives from the ancient Chinese classic, the I Ching.
Born from the meaning “to renew the Mandate of Heaven,” it has been used not to signify mere change, but fundamental transformation, representing major turning points in history.
Political revolution, industrial revolution, scientific revolution.
Looking back through history, the word “revolution” has always marked humanity’s turning points.
And there exist numerous expressions using this word:
“revolutionary,” “revolutionary figure,” “revolutionary thought”—all words that evoke a strong will to transcend existing frameworks and carve out new worlds.
Words Left Behind by a Revolutionary of the Bakumatsu Period
What has captured Shourin Iwasaki’s heart and won’t let go is a single man—Shinsaku Takasugi, a revolutionary of the Bakumatsu period.
A young patriot who, in a life spanning merely 27 years, founded the Kiheitai militia, challenged the authority of the shogunate, and paved the way for the Meiji Restoration.
The words he is said to have left as his death poem have become Shourin’s personal motto:
「面白きことも無き世を面白く」“Making an uninteresting world interesting”
This verse contains an intense will to change the world through one’s own volition, regardless of how difficult the circumstances.
Rather than lamenting the world as given, one rises up to create revolution oneself.
Takasugi Shinsaku’s way of life is distilled in this single verse.
The Story of Revolution Woven by the Brush
Gaze upon Shourin’s “Revolution.”
The character “革” (kaku) at the top has the sharpness of a sword being swung down.
The “命” (mei) below pulses with a dynamism as if life force itself were swirling.
When these two characters combine, they embody the essence of revolution—severing the old and breathing in new life. This is expressed through the gradations of ink and the momentum of the brush.
Calligraphy is not merely the technique of writing beautiful characters.
It is an art form in which the writer’s heart, soul, and very way of living manifest on paper through the brush.
In Shourin’s brush dwells the spirit of the revolutionary embodied by Shinsaku Takasugi.
Unbound by established conventions, charging forward on the path one believes in—such strong will overflows from this work titled “Revolution.”
Continuing to Create Revolution Daily!
Shourin grips his brush daily, giving birth to new works.
While cherishing traditional calligraphic techniques, he pursues expressions that resonate with our hearts as people living in the modern age.
This may well be a challenge worthy of being called a “revolution” within the world of the traditional art of calligraphy.
On his Instagram, you can view numerous powerful works, including this “Revolution.”
The thoughts embedded in each character, the dynamism of the brush, the expressions of the ink—all of these will speak to your heart.
If you follow him, you can experience the profound depths of the calligraphic world that Shourin weaves daily.
It will surely be a stimulating encounter that brings a fresh wind to your everyday life.
＼ 岩﨑翔凛のInstagramはこちら！ ／
Bring Revolution to Your Space!
“I want to display this powerful calligraphy in my room.”
“I want to give a gift that touches the heart to someone important to me.”
For those who harbor such feelings, we have wonderful news.
An online shop where you can purchase Shourin Iwasaki’s calligraphic works has opened on STORES.
The many works that Shourin has created with all his heart can be delivered to you.
An office desk, a living room wall, a corner of the entrance—wherever you display them, they will bring special spirit and beauty to that space.
They are also ideal as gifts for important people reaching milestones in life—employment celebrations, business opening celebrations, new home celebrations.
Powerful words such as “revolution,” “challenge,” and “aspiration” will surely give a push to the backs of those taking new steps forward.
A New Story Woven by Ink and Brush!
The power held by a single piece of calligraphy is greater than one might imagine.
A single character that catches your eye when you wake in the morning may become that day’s vitality.
On a night when you’re tired from work, a piece of calligraphy you happen to look up at may remind you of hope for tomorrow.
Shourin Iwasaki’s calligraphy is an existence that brings such small daily revolutions to your life.
Making an uninteresting world interesting—just like the words of Shinsaku Takasugi, why not create revolution in your own life, with your own hands?
The story woven by ink begins here.
Calligrapher Shourin Iwasaki continues to create works that resonate with the hearts of those of us living in the modern age while preserving traditional calligraphic techniques.
Daily creative processes and new works are regularly shared on Instagram.
Works can be purchased from the STORES online shop.
＼ 岩﨑翔凛のSTORESはこちら！ ／
コメント