March 2026 Feast of Black and White
Ito Rin
Event Period: March 2, 2026 – March 25, 2026
Ito Rin
～Profile～
Born in Nagano Prefecture, 1977
Major Exhibitions andAwards
Selected for the Tsutsuyakan Exhibition (2007-2009). Selected for the Akira Kurosawa Centennial Commemorative Exhibition (2008). Selected for the Sankei International Calligraphy Exhibition (2009, 2010). Japan Budokan Takamado Cup Japan Budokan Award (2011), National New Year Calligraphy Exhibition Encouragement Award (2012), among others. Selected for the Japan Calligraphy Education Society Exhibition (2015–2018). Selected for the Independent Calligraphers Group “Independent Exhibition” (2019–2024 / The National Art Center, Tokyo). Member of the Independent Calligraphers Group, obtained Master Instructor Certificate from the Japan Calligraphy School Association.
Solo Exhibitions, Group Exhibitions, Live Calligraphy
Live Calligraphy at Hakuba Goryu (2010–2012). Live Calligraphy for Zenkoji Temple’s Grand Opening Ceremony (2015). Solo Exhibition “Creation of Heaven and Earth” (2015). Planned Exhibition “Silence and Impulse” (2019). Sakai Meijo “Bud” Solo Exhibition (2020–2021). Solo Exhibition “Silent Black, Speaking White, Color is Kotono-ha” (2021 / Shinmai Media Garden). Solo Exhibitions “Mask” (2023), ‘Skin’ (2024 / Banana moon). ART SHODOW Group Exhibitions (2023–2024). “Proof of Humanity” Exhibition (2025 / Hokuto Culture Hall).
Media Coverage
Featured on TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines within Nagano Prefecture.
Rin Ito's Commitment
Freedom (self-driven)
Unrestrained expression, motion and stillness, a world of black and white creation—“Feeling words”
I began writing poetry in my student days. A notebook and pen that accepted me.
Rather than words offered to others, I wrote words that resonated, centered on shared feelings and empathy. Later, I switched from pen to brush, creating works that embody both stillness and movement—a world of black breathing within the silent white. Holding within my heart the cry and the question that lie beyond the realm of words.
Exhibition of Works
Hana a
￥53,000（税込）
Hana b
￥53,000（税込）
Hana c
￥53,000（税込）
Hana d
￥53,000（税込）
Work Description
Once, a monk gathered the children and encouraged them to draw whatever pictures they liked.
The boys drew airplanes, tanks, bulldozers, and cars.
Meanwhile, the girls drew flower fields. Flower fields in the sky, with suns and clouds.
The title of this work is “Hana.”
Being written in hiragana, it could be read as “flower,” “splendor,” or even “nose.”
Why was the title chosen as the hiragana “hana”?
Because “hana” can be interpreted in any way.
What will the viewer receive when they see the work relatively?
It was feared that seeing the title would impose a fixed image.
It might appear as some kind of form, or viewers might try to read the subconscious.
Just like saying “Go ahead and draw whatever picture you like,” I wanted them to simply experience it in whatever way they felt like.
As the artist, I wanted “hana” to express my own deep-seated feelings of [stirring/trembling].
“Hana” is the flower of the soul; perhaps I wanted to express the flower of my own daily stirring—struggle, resignation, hope.
Exhibition Title
A Feast of Black and White
Date
March 2–25, 2026
Time
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Location
Gallery An Nihonbashi
12-4 Nihonbashi Odenmacho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0011 Refolia 5F Gallery An
【Access】
4-min walk from Higashi-Nihonbashi Station Exit A2
5-min walk from Kodenmacho Station Exit 1
4-min walk from Bakuro-Yokoyama Station Exit A2