Daichiro Shinjo, Tracing the Spirit of Miyako Island Through Calligraphy

While many children take to drawing at a young age, Daichiro Shinjo, who is now based in Miyako Island, found greater joy in calligraphy.

‘I started when I was about four or five, attending a local calligraphy class. The teacher was incredibly kind and open-minded. There was this unique sense of freedom that comes with growing up on a southern island—it wasn’t just about writing; we’d also go outside and play in the mud. For me, writing and playing were one and the same. From as early as I can remember, calligraphy was simply part of daily life—just like eating or sleeping.’

Shinjo’s grandfather, Keisho Okamoto, was a Zen monk and folklorist. Growing up surrounded by Zen paintings and regularly seeing his grandfather writing posthumous Buddhist names made using ink and brush feel like second nature.

He studied architecture at university and worked in an architectural firm afterward. At first glance, calligraphy and architecture may seem worlds apart—so why the switch?

‘I was fascinated by the idea of creating comfortable environments for people, which led me to study architecture. But once it became a job, I started to feel constrained—by society, and by myself. Writing helped me process those feelings. Eventually, I began posting my work on Instagram, and in 2017, I held my first solo exhibition in Harajuku. That experience made me realize I wanted to pursue the path of an artist.’

Even now, writing remains a form of meditation for Shinjo. He begins each session by setting the mood—burning incense, adjusting the lighting, preparing the space.

‘Unlike oil painting or sculpture, calligraphy is created in an instant, so the environment becomes part of the process. I try to make the space feel neutral, so I can become part of it. And when I begin writing, it’s like a runner’s high—my body just takes over.’

Shinjo’s works often stretch across entire canvases, transforming written characters into something closer to visual art. Does he approach composition like a painter—considering space and balance?

‘Maybe it’s rooted in my early experiences, drawing freely without any models. As we grow up, we naturally start learning how to make things ‘look nice’—it becomes intentional, almost forced. Since the size of the support is fixed, there’s always some level of artifice involved. In that sense, the spontaneous lines drawn by children before they even learn characters are the ideal. I’m constantly thinking about how to stay honest in a contradictory world.’

He believes adults, too, can reconnect with that childlike honesty. Many of Shinjo’s works stretch beyond the traditional boundaries of calligraphy.

One such piece, featured in his art book SUDIRU, released in early March, shines a spotlight on the unique culture of Miyako Island. Using archival photos of the island’s rituals—taken by his grandfather between the 1970s and 1990s—Shinjo applies traditional Ryukyu indigo dye and then paints over them with ancient Miyako songs written in phonetic symbols.

After spending time living and working outside the island—and still regularly traveling between Tokyo and abroad—Shinjo began to see the distinct value of his hometown’s culture.

‘Miyako has long been a cultural crossroads, trading with China, Taiwan, and the Ryukyus. It has always absorbed outside influences, but in recent years, resort development has accelerated, and local culture is being lost. That’s why I opened a gallery—to preserve and share it.’

That gallery, PALI GALLERY, opened in 2022 with photographer Naoki Ishikawa and others. The name ‘Pali’ means ‘field’ in the local dialect. The space also hosts an artist-in-residence program, inviting artists to draw inspiration from the island. It’s not only a creative catalyst for others—it also gives Shinjo new ways to view and engage with Miyako Island. Through his calligraphy and his gallery, the culture of this island is now reaching audiences far beyond its shores.

More information about Daichiro Shinjo can be found on the artist’s website and on the PALI GALLERY website.