Sempu Nakajima

New York, New York, United States of America

As a Japanese calligraphy artist, my aim is to communicate emotions through words. I believe as humans, we are all connected by words and words have the power to bring us together. I try to express a deep appreciation for nature and the beauty of traditional Japanese craftsmanship through my work. I work together with local Japanese craftspeople who hand-craft all of the brushes, ink stones, washi, and other materials used in my pieces. With each work I create, I clear my mind and fill my heart with the visions of words or poems that have inspired me to experiment with varying techniques and mediums to achieve the desired mood.

Showing 1–6 of 16 results

Flower of Peace I, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Flower of Peace II, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Flower of Peace III, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Flower of Peace IV, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Flower of Peace V, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Flower of Peace VI, 2024

Sumi gold ink on washi paper

14" x 17"

$1625

Paper: Washi paper dyed dark blue
Brush made from goat hair
Sumi Gold ink

Wave of Peace (from Hyaku Nin Isshu – Book of 100 Japanese Poems of Nature), 2024

Japanese Kimono

65" x 61"

$11100

Japanese Kimono
Material: ""Kyoto Nishijinori"" silk fabric
Black Kimono used for celebrations 
Brush: Sheep's wool
Sumi Ink using gold and silver

Peace I, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

Peace II, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

Peace III, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

Peace IV, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

Peace V, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

Peace VI, 2024

Pine smoke ink on Koshu Japanese paper

27" x 27"

$3250

Paper: Koshu Japanese paper from Yamanashi
Brush: A brush made from bundles of paper
Sumi ink made from hardened soot made from burning pine wood (pine smoke ink)

鳥 Bird, 2020

Oil smoke ink on handmade Senshi paper

16" x 16"

$3400

風 Wind, 2020

Oil smoke ink on handmade Senshi paper

16" x 16"

$3400

月 Moon, 2020

Oil smoke ink on handmade Senshi paper

16" x 16"

$3400