Twenty-five Letters c. mid 19th century

"Twenty-five Letters" is a calligraphic work by Japanese artist Shinozaki Shōchiku (1781-1851), dating from the mid-19th century. This piece, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases Shōchiku's mastery of brushstrokes as he creates a dynamic composition with twenty-five distinct characters. The work exemplifies the beauty and expressiveness of Japanese calligraphy, a significant art form in Japanese culture. The ink on paper painting demonstrates the artist's skill in manipulating brushstrokes and achieving different textures and densities.