Single-line Calligraphy c. 19th century

Ōkubo Shibutsu created this calligraphy scroll at an unknown date, now at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, with ink on paper. The characters cascade down the scroll in a sinuous dance of thick and thin strokes, creating a visual rhythm. The composition strikes a delicate balance between control and spontaneity. The artist has harnessed the fluidity of ink to explore movement. The contrast of the stark black ink against the neutral paper amplifies the gestural quality of each stroke, turning language into pure form. This work exemplifies a formal tension in calligraphy between representation and abstraction. While rooted in language, Shibutsu's expressive brushwork transcends mere transcription, inviting us to contemplate the materiality of the medium and the artist's process. Ultimately, the act of viewing becomes a meditation on the interplay between intention and chance, where fixed meanings dissolve into a fluid, ever-changing visual experience.