An exhibition of "poem-calligraphy" by a well-known Japanese poet and calligrapher began here Tuesday.

The show, sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and the Japanese Shoshinkai (association of calligraphers), comprises about 150 works by Watanabe Tadaharu on display at China's National Art Museum. The show will last until September 7.

Watanabe Tadaharu, born in 1931, has visited China more than 50 times and composed a great number of poems in Chinese. After composing the poems he has put them into calligraphic works, shaping a specific style called "poem-calligraphy."

Since 1984, nine exhibitions of Watanabe Tadaharu's works have been held in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Chengdu, Shanghai, Xi'an, Urumqi and Changsha.

Buhe, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress and Watanabe Tadaharu himself attended the opening ceremony.

(Xinhua News Agency 09/04/2001)