Baikei Uehira


Baikei Uehira, born Tatsuyoshi Uehira in Izumisano, Japan,
is a master calligrapher and teacher as well as president of the in Osaka. Originally pursuing calligraphy only for the love of writing, he has gone on to develop new pathways and styles of traditional Japanese calligraphy through collaborations, art shodo, and live performances. Uehira is considered a pioneer of live calligraphy and continues to create innovative works with hopes of expanding interest in Japanese writing to others.

Biography

Early years

At age 6, Uehira began calligraphy classes at school as do most Japanese students. Unlike most children however, he loved calligraphy from day one and continued attending classes through high school. After high school Uehira performed live as a vocalist for the rock band 零夢. Though music was one of his passions, he decided that he could not support himself with music alone and determined that it was time to begin serious calligraphy study at university.
Shortly thereafter, he took his calligraphy college entrance exam but was rejected both the first and second years that he applied. After more than one year of doing menial jobs Uehira at last was able to enter professional Japanese calligraphy school in Tokyo.
While studying Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, Japanese literature, kanji interpretation, etc., Uehira practiced fervently, bundling pages in an old cloth to carry them to and from school. Inspired by Kūkai he dreamed of creating innovative works to inspire future generations. Though the young Uehira put great effort into his studies, many teachers felt his work was poor. Desperately he approached teacher and mentor :jp:望月虚舟|Kyoshuu Mochizuki with his work. Master calligrapher Mochizuki carefully reviewed each sheet of Uehira's writing, offering words of advice. The budding artist was moved to tears and was motivated to amplify his efforts.
Due to a somewhat mysterious event at age 22, a scarred Uehira returned to Osaka. Devastated and unmotivated, he began working at a calligraphy supply shop just to stay busy. A calligraphy teacher who was a frequent customer invited Uehira to train with him, which turned out to be a huge blessing. Uehira did so for eight years at the most well-known calligraphy group in Kansai.

Establishment of the Seisho Calligraphy Association

At age 29, making the most of his training, Uehira established and became president of his own calligraphy association, 青霄, ‘cloudless blue sky.’ He has gone on to found schools in Osaka and continues to teach, perform, and lecture.
Uehira currently lives with his wife Seikei and three children in the Kansai area. As of October 2017, more than 2,000 students study under them.

Career and activity in Calligraphy

Calligraphy Art

1997 - Umeda Sky Building Kuuchuuteien exhibition; a collaboration project of calligraphy and flower arrangement Shokasanran with teachers from CB International Flower Arrangement College
1998 - Calligraphy for TV commercial Kiku Masamune, titled「一」one
2000 - Calligraphy on a large scale Japanese fan for an event at Osaka Kourakuen Hotel
2000 - Guest appearance for Shoukyokusai Kotenshou's live event at Yoshimoto Enterprise Waha Kamigata
2000 - Live calligraphy for ‘Kobe requiem’ on the Kobe Liner passenger ship; the piece was created to be housed at the Hokudanchou Earthquake Memorial Hall on Awaji Island
2001 - Appearance on Sutekina Furusato Yume Tanbou TV Osaka
2002 - Hana No Iro Wa Utsurini Kerina live stage calligraphy event at Umeda Daimaru Osaka
2002 - Yume live event at Umeda Daimaru Osaka
2005 - Exhibition of classic calligraphy works for
2006 - Calligraphy used in the opening of ABC's TV show of new comedians titled Owarai Shinjin Grand Prix
2007 - Appearance for Annta Kakkoeena Sukina Dake Yari and Bou TV commercial
2007 - 「響」 writing for the opening title of ‘Artist Special’ on SKY PerfecTV!
2008 - New Year card workshop sponsored by Japan Post
2009 - Live writing on shikishi at Shinsaibashi Dekimonoshou Exhibition in Daimaru
2009 - Calligraphy at Mikage 's Hanabira Festival
2010 - Performance at the 1000 guest opening of the Imperial Hotel, Tokyo
2010 - Performance and exhibition of works at Kyoto Kokusai Kouryuu Kaikann
2011 - Live writing at Okura Garden Hotel Shanghai
2011 - Performance at
2012 - Guest appearance on Ameagari Show Club
2012 - Performance at Swissôtel for Nikkei public listing celebrations
2012 - Calligraphy for Geidankyo Kansai Council
2012 - Ehime Cultural Festival performance in Osaka
2012 - Appeared on "Yoidon" show, Kansai TV
2013 - Guest appearance on Hotnet :jp:ベイ・コミュニケーションズ
Baycom TV
2013 - USA tour to Las Vegas, Phoenix, and Los Angeles
2013 - Guest appearance on Yomiuri TV "Sumatan ZIP"
2014 - Performance and workshop at , Hawaii
2014 - Wrote a 100-foot scroll at art event in Honolulu, Hawaii
2014 - Two live shows at Waikiki Marriott Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii
2014 - Performance and workshop at Honolulu Museum of Art School in Honolulu, Hawaii
2014 - Live writing for Nikko Securities ceremony in Tokyo
2014 - Workshop at in Milano, Italy
2014 - Performance/workshop at Castrocaro Medieval Fortress
2014 - Performance/workshop at Japan Expo in Paris
2015 - Presented artwork to world heritage Kudoyama City
2015 - Chamber of Commerce event hosted by Mihana Keiya
2015 - Calligraphy performances for Ai Matsuri in Java and Sumatra
2015 - Paper door writing ceremony at Fukichin Temple, Mount Koya
2015 - Performance for sister city governments of Izumisano and Shanghai
2015 - Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan
2015 - Mainichi Newspaper national showing
2015 - Big brush workshop at the

2016 - Performance and workshop for Gyokuzan Kikumoto in Taipei, Taiwan
2016 - Presented works to in Hong Kong
2016 - Donated works to Temple in Wakayama, Japan
2016 - Performed at G7 Summit in Tsukuba, Japan

Calligraphy Collaboration

1999 - Live calligraphy with flamenco guitarist Jirou Yoshikawa at WTC Cosmo Tower
2001 - Appearance at Jazz Show writing: Yume Haruka, Ai Eien, and Kotobuki at
2002 - Collaboration with iwabue at Mikage Yuzuruha Shrine in Kobe
2002 - Collaboration with shamisen, percussion, and dance at Yoshimoto Enterprise Waha Kamigata
2003 - Joint live event with shakuhachi and sitar at Mikage Yuzuruha Shrine in Kobe
2003 - Live writing of Fuusetsuenbu with music, and imagery
2004 - Calligraphy performance for a Seizan Ichikawa shamisen lecture at Theater
2005 - Guest appearance for a tandem event with acclaimed shamisen artist Kubosan at Taikoen in Kyobashi, Osaka
2006 - Large calligraphy at Seizan Ichikawa's Kokera Otoshi Concert at Nishinomiya Geijutsu Bunka Hall
2006 - Performance for a New Year celebration at Westin Hotel Awaji
2006 - Collaboration with clarinetist Hariyamasan at Kobe Hotel
2006 - Big brush writing for the program titled Voice, an MBS News special program
2007 - Performing live for NHK TV show Motto Motto Kansai
2007 - Teaching with newscaster Yoko Suka of YTV News's New Scramble
2008 - Performing live for NHK TV show News Terrace
2008 - Performing live for Kansai TV show News Anchor
2008 - Appearance on ABC TV show Ohayou
2008 - Writing in TV commercial for Hankyu Sanbangai
2009 - Writing New Year cards for a Kansai TV 「美」 program
2009 - Performance collaborating with wadaiko at Watashi No Shigotokan in Kyoto
2009 - Teaching calligraphy to Yuuichi Wazumi of MBS's Eenaa
2010 - Collaborating on big brush calligraphy with Naomi Matsushima for TV show Kirakira Afro
2010 - Hanshinsan writing for a TV commercial at 「 廣斉堂」 studio
2010 - Calligraphy for TV commercial titled Tiger Tsuchi De Taku
2011 - Performance with dancer Mihana Keiya and shamisen artist Seizan Ichikawa
2012 - Art fundraiser for Fukushima victims in Mino, Japan
2012 - Live with calligrapher Raikei at Suita Mei Theater Main Hall
2013 - Donated works to Kobe Ginga Club Magazine
2013 - Live show for Chiayi City Cultural Festival in Taiwan
2013 - Live collaboration at world heritage Kasuga Taisha Shrine with bushido master Umeda Masami in Nara, Japan
2013 - Shamisen creative dance collaboration in Bangkok, Thailand
2013 - Calligraphy collaboration with Lady Gaga on Yomiuri TV's "Sukkiri" show　
2014 - Body art collaboration and exhibition with in Honolulu, Hawaii
2014 - Collaboration with tattoo artist Richie Lucero at CoXist Studio Honolulu, Hawaii
2014 - Live collaboration and exhibition with Persian/Arab calligrapher Arash Shirinbab in Oakland, USA
2015 - Participated in the 5th International Exhibition of Calligraphy in Moscow
2015 - Gallery showing with ceramics master Banjoya Takeshi
2015 - Collaboration with fiddler Hidenori Omori
2015 - Collaboration with swordsman Umeda Masami at Himuro Shrine
2015 - Collaboration with shamisen artist Kubo Hiroshi
2016 - Performed with Umeda Masami, Kubo Hiroshi, Seizan Ichikawa, and Okamoto Maho at Kobe's