AOI YAMAGUCHI CALLIGRAPHY

Author: admin

Live Calligraphy Performance + Presentation + Studio Talk at Asian Art Museum

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Tomorrow & Sunday, I’ll be back at San Francisco Asian Art Museum for a large-scale live calligraphy performance, accompanied by Japanese taiko drummers Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko, slide presentation and open studio talk + Q&A, 12pm-4pm.

Our event, titled “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei“, is in collaboration with Baybayin calligraphy artist Kristian Kabuay, who’ll also be demonstrating Baybayin calligraphy accompanied by Filipino musicians. Our performance begins from 12 noon both days in North Court inside of the museum!

I’m excited to be part of the Asian Art Museum’s 50th Golden Anniversary events (yes, long history!), and share my knowledge, skills and experiences with the community in San Francisco Bay Area. FREE ADMISSION ALL WEEKEND!
Can’t wait to see you all there!

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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”2/3″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text]New Traditions: Buhay x Sei – Aoi Yamaguchi/Kristian Kabuay calligraphy demonstration, lecture and workshop
Saturday March 5th & Sunday March 6th, 2016
12–4 PM, North Court
Free Admission

“Buhay” in Tagalog and “sei” in Japanese mean “life” and “breath of life.” Inspired by the springtime and celebrating the Asian Art Museum’s 50th birthday, the theme for this performance evokes a positive, uplifting energy, the spirit of awakening from hibernation after a long winter.

12–1 PM Performance
1–1:45 PM Presentations and Q&A
1:45–2:15 PM Break
2:15–4 PM Open studio, table presentation

Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
http://www.asianart.org/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/6″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text]
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March 5, 2016
Solo Exhibition & Live Performances in Japan “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”

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I’m proud to announce that my solo exhibition, titled “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”, is opening on Friday, February 19th at Cross Hotel Sapporo, Hokkaido. All artworks for this exhibition are new series of works written in my atelier in Berkeley, California. During the opening reception, I’ll be performing live calligraphy in collaboration with Corey Fuller (12k, Illuha), a Tokyo-based musician and multimedia artist. The exhibition runs for two months, from February 20th – April 30th.

The theme is “IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows”: “陰翳 (in-ei)” in Japanese is defined as “shadows”, as well as “a sense of beauty that we capture in shadows and nuances in colors, sound, and emotions”. I find this In-ei in calligraphy — I feel drawn to the world of black and white, light and shadow — it’s visually simple and minimal, but its world depicted is infinite.

As we see in Japanese words like “侘び寂び Wabi-sabi” or “もののあはれ Monono-aware,” “陰翳 In-ei” also cherishes the beauty of simplicity and evanescence in our ordinary lives. In the darkness, we see the presence of light. The light makes our lives possible: we see shapes in the world because of shadows. Thus the shadows shape our lives, and it could disappear at any moment by the absence of light. In the dull shadows, we find silence — where our senses calm, time has slowed, you will find your inner ’self’ in that very moment in a space, which is only limited by your mind. This sensibility is the foundation of Japanese traditional aesthetics, and it makes what we see, hear and feel more meaningful and flavorful. I have written a poetry about my own imagery of In-ei, and painted conceptual calligraphy artworks inspired by these words, trying to find my own In-ei in my artistic expressions…which you will see on the walls in this exhibition.

For the conceptual calligraphy performance for the opening reception, I have invited Corey Fuller, one of the musicians I admire and respect to collaborate with me for this special occasion. Corey’s beautiful sound resonates with my inner spirit… and sparks imagination. I’m very excited to share the moment together to create a live performance piece.

As a pre-event, I’ll be also performing live calligraphy in collaboration with Corey Fuller at Ice Hills Hotel in Tobetsu, Hokkaido on Thursday February 18th. We are going to be part of this Cross Generation, Cross Hotel’s regular DJ event featuring resident DJs and eclectic musicians. There will be a chartered bus from Cross Hotel, and it takes about an hour to get there – with amazing view of snow-covered landscape of Ishikari. I just visited Ice Hills Hotel, it was just beautiful, and warmer than I imagined! 🙂 It’s going to be inspiring and intimate experience, art and music in nature. Limited tickets available.

Come visit snowy Hokkaido and say hello!
Looking forward to see your lovely face there.

Hours / Venue / More details below.

『陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows』と題し、クロスホテル札幌の二階ロビー＆meet Loungeにて、個展を開催します。
2月19日（金）の夜には、オープニングレセプションパーティが開催され、東京在住のミュージシャン・マルチメディアアーティスト、コリー・フラー氏（12K / Illuha) とコラボレートしライブ揮毫パフォーマンスを披露します。コリーの奏でる、陰翳を感じる美しい音の世界とともに、「陰翳」をテーマに言葉に起こした、自詠の詩の世界を描きます。展示は2月20日 ~ 4月30日までの二ヶ月間となります。

そのプレ・イベントとして、前夜の2月18日（木）には、マイナス零度以下の当別町のアイスヒルズホテルにて、氷と雪で創られた空間の中で、コリーのライブ演奏と共にライブ揮毫パフォーマンスを披露します。

テーマは『陰翳』。
この言葉は、私の中で不思議な響きを持つ言葉です。『陰翳』には、「影」（単純に英語に訳すと、”shadows”）という意味のほかに、「色、音、感情に微妙な変化があり趣が深いこと」の意味があります。この『陰翳』の中に美しさを捉える感覚というのが、私が白と黒、光と影の世界で表現される「書」に魅力を感じる一つの理由であり、古くから伝わる日本の伝統芸術文化の礎となる美的要素なのではないかと思います。今回は、現代に生きる私にとっての『陰翳』、ふとした日常の瞬間に感じる『陰翳』を、淡墨と紙の持つ生き物のような生命力を生かし、書で表現しました。

真っ白な雪景色の広がる、真冬の生まれ故郷北海道で、こうして個展とパフォーマンスを開催できることを嬉しく思います。クロスホテル札幌＆クラークギャラリー＋SHIFTよりこのお話をいただいた昨年からこつこつと、バークレーのアトリエにてすべて書き下ろした作品を、展示予定です。リミテッド・エディションジクレープリントも販売予定です。

真冬の北海道でアート×音楽を体験しに、そして雪と戯れに、ぜひ遊びに来てください。私も今から、どんなセッションになるのか、ものすごく楽しみです。一夜限りの、音と言葉で満たされていく真っ白で幻想的な空間を、みなさんと一緒に共有したい。たくさんの方々の笑顔と触れ合えることを楽しみにしています。[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”no-padding” margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][rs_section_title align=”left” title=”EVENT DETAILS” show_right=”no”][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/1″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][symple_heading title=”SOLO EXHIBITION & PERFORMANCE ” type=”h5″ style=”dashed-line” text_align=”left” icon_left=”none” icon_right=”none”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row cover=”yes” repeat=”no-repeat” attachment=”scroll” fluid=”no” padding=”no-padding” margin=”no-margin”][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”1/4″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text align=”center”]

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”” class_type=”md” width=”3/4″ animation=”” animation_delay=”” animation_duration=””][vc_column_text]クロスホテル札幌とクラークギャラリー＋SHIFTのコラボレーションで展示を行う「まちなかアート・クロス・エディション」の第19弾として、カリフォルニアを拠点に世界各地で「異文化の架け橋」となり活躍する北海道出身の書家/アーティスト、山口碧生による個展を開催します。

本展では、書の世界に見える「陰翳」、そして私たちがふとした瞬間・空間に感じる「陰翳」を、色、音、感情の 3つの視点から見つめ、言葉に起こし、詩のイメージを表現した現代創作書・前衛書作品を展示します。

2月19日(金)には、個展のオープニングレセプションと併せて、本展のために曲を書き下ろしたシアトル出身・東京在住のミュージシャン、コリー・フラー (坂本龍一氏との共作が話題となったILLUHAのメンバー) とのコラボレーションによる「ライブ書道パフォーマンス」を披露します。

山口碧生個展
「陰翳 IN – EI」 THE RESONANCE of SHADOWS

会期：2016 年2月20日(土)〜 4月30日(土)
会場：クロスホテル札幌 2階ロビー・ミートラウンジ
住所：札幌市中央区北2西2
ミートラウンジ営業時間：10:00〜24:00(貸切の場合がございます)
主催：クロスホテル札幌(企画部 011-272-0051)
キュレーション：クラークギャラリー＋SHIFT
協力：まちなかアート
http://www.crosshotel.com/sapporo
http://www.clarkgallery.co.jp

◼︎ オープニングレセプション & 山口碧生 × Corey Fuller ライブ書道パフォーマンス
2月19日(金)19:00〜22:00
クロスホテル札幌 2階ミートラウンジ
入場無料(ワンドリンクオーダー制)／予約不要

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Aoi Yamaguchi Solo Exhibition
“陰翳 IN – EI: THE RESONANCE of SHADOWS”

Duration: Saturday February 20th, 2016 – Saturday April 30th, 2016
Venue: Cross Hotel Sapporo 2nd floor & Meet Lounge
Address: North 2 West 2, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido
MeetLounge Hours: 10:00 ~ 24:00 (Occasionally closed for private events)
Hosted by: Cross Hotel Sapporo (Event Department: 011-272-0051)
Curated by: Clark Gallery + SHIFT
Supported by: Machinaka Art

◼︎ Opening Reception & Aoi Yamaguchi × Corey Fuller Live Calligraphy Performance
Friday February 19th, 2016 19:00~22:00
@ Cross Hotel 2F MeetLounge
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CROSS GENERATION in ICE HILLS HOTEL

・Resident DJ: Fuminori Kagajo
・GUEST DJ : NAOHITO UCHIYAMA
・Special Art Performance: 山口碧生ライブ書道パフォーマンス ✕ 音楽：Corey Fuller
・MC : 潮音

会期：2月18日(木)
19：00　クロスホテル札幌出発　※貸切バス
20：00　ICE HILLS HOTEL着
CROSS GENERATIONスタート
21：45　終了
22：00　ICE HILLS HOTEL出発
主要駅立ち寄り、クロスホテル札幌着

会場：ICE HILLS HOTEL IN TOBETSU
住所：スウェーデンヒルズゴルフ倶楽部特設会場　石狩郡当別町スウェーデンヒルズ2788-28
食事：１ドリンク+フィンガーフード
会費：2,500円（バス、1ドリンク、フード込）
定員：50名

お問い合わせ：クロスホテル札幌(企画部 011-272-0051)
※会場は氷のホテルです。暖かい服装でご来場ください。
http://www.icehillshotel.com

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CROSS GENERATION in ICE HILLS HOTEL

・RESIDENT DJ : Fuminori Kagajo
・GUEST DJ : NAOHITO UCHIYAMA
・Special Art Performance : Aoi Yamaguchi Live Calligraphy Performance ✕ Music by Corey Fuller
・MC : 潮音

Thursday, February 18th
19:00 Departs from Cross Hotel ※By the chartered bus
20:00 Arrive at Ice Hills Hotel – Event starts
21:45 Closing
22:00 Departs from Ice Hills Hotel
Bus will make stops at major stations on its way to Cross Hotel.

Venue: ICE HILLS HOTEL IN TOBETSU
Address: Sweden Hills Golf Club Special Venue 2788-28, Sweden Hills, Tobetsu-cho, Ishikari-shi
Food: 1 drink + finger food
Ticket: ¥2,500 (includes bus, 1 drink, food)
Capacity: 50

For inquiries: Call Cross Hotel Sapporo at 011-272-0051
※ The venue is a hotel made of ice. Please dress warmly.
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Corey Fuller 　コリー・フラー

アメリカ生まれ、日本育ち。現在、東京在住。ミュージシャン、サウンドデザイナー、エンジニア、ディレクター、映像作家、写真家として幅広く活動中。2009年にファースト・ソロアルバム「Seas Between」(米Dragon’s Eye)を発表して以来、NYの名門老舗レーベル12kよりILLUHA名義でアルバムを数々リリース。その後ヨーロッパ、アメリカ、日本を含め世界各国をツアーで周り、様々なアーティストとコラボレーションを積み重ねる。2013年には坂本龍一、Taylor Deupreeらと日本を代表するアートセンターYCAMで共演を果たし、そのライブ音源が「Perpetual」となりリリースされた。自然とテクノロジー、場の力などをテーマに、写真、舞踏、短歌、書道、映画など幅広い分野でコラボレーションも展開している。

Born in the US and raised in Japan, Corey Fuller is a musician and multimedia artist from Tokyo, Japan. Growing up between several different cultures and traveling extensively as a child have made geography and a sense of place major components of Fuller’s music. His work is a slow and gradual music composed of infinitesimal details comprised of processed and delicately treated acoustic instruments, field recordings, and other sound sources. In addition to his work as a solo artist, Fuller finds his collaborations with other artists invaluable. Besides his work with Date as ILLUHA, Fuller has collaborated with Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Deupree, Marcus Fischer, Simon Scott, Stephan Mathieu and others on releases and tours. Following a slew of collaborative releases, 2016 will see the release of Fuller’s long anticipated second solo album, following the critically acclaimed Seas Between.

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February 1, 2016
Atelier Towa in Winter Hokkaido

I’m working in Hokkaido from January 20th until the end of February.
I have a few more weeks until my solo exhibition opens on February 19th…
I love Winter with snow – freezing but crisp air, white-covered landscape, icy road, warm house, all that I grew up with.
It is definitely something I miss dearly living in California.
Until I fly back to warm Bay Area in the beginning of March,
I can’t wait to see all the magic that come true here in snowy Hokkaido.

今月1月20日から、2月末日まで、北海道にて制作活動をしています。
2月19日に控えた個展オープニングまで、あと３週間を切りました。
この真冬の北海道で、どんなマジックが起こるか、今から楽しみです。

January 25, 2016
“掌” Tanagokoro: Season’s Greetings from the Atelier

SEASON’S GREETINGS
from
ATELIER TOWA

Hope everyone had a great start of the New year!

My resolution for this year is “掌 (Tanagokoro)”:

In Zen teaching, there is this saying “明珠在掌” (みょうじゅたなごころにあり),
which means that everyone has a shining gem in your palm.
We are always in pursuit of happiness, trying to find “it” somewhere far —
but the most valuable thing in your life is already within you.

With this beautiful spirit in mind, I’m going to keep taking small steps this year,
as working on polishing skills and continuing my craft, to make visions come true.
Instead of making a fist and running on a lonesome path to just get to the goal,
I want to have my palm open so that I can be open to new encounters,
hold hands of friends and loved ones,
and together walk towards the goal, create something beautiful.

Warmest thoughts to you from my atelier:
Wishing your New Year to be filled with happiness, beauty, and lots of adventures!

– Aoi Yamaguchi

*

寒中お見舞い申し上げます

寒さ厳しい日が続いておりますが、みなさま良いお年を迎えられたこととお慶び申し上げます。

昨年1月30日に祖父が他界し、喪中につき
新年のご挨拶を控えさせていただきます。

昨年1月より、カリフォルニア州バークレーに新たなスタジオ『アトリエ咏遠』を構え、
作品の制作活動に加えて、書道ワークショップや個人レッスンも指導を開始し、
少しつづの歩みではありますが、着実に
より多くの人に書道を楽しんでもらえるよう、啓蒙活動に力を入れております。

新年の一字は「掌」（たなごころ）：
「明珠在掌」（みょうじゅたなごころにあり）と禅の教えにあるように、
私たちは生まれながらに、それぞれ曇りのない宝珠を持っているといいます。
真に大切なものは全て、どこか遠くではなく、
自分の掌の中にあるんだよ、と言うことです。

拳を握ってがむしゃらに突っ走るのではなく、
掌を開いて、周りの大切な人たちと手を繋いで歩んでいけるよう、
そしてもっと素敵な人々との出逢いにオープンでいられるよう、
「掌」の精神で邁進していきたいと思っております。

日頃の皆様の御厚情に心よりお礼申し上げます。

今年も変わらぬご御厚誼のほど宜しくお願い申し上げます。

アトリエ咏遠
書家　山口碧生

January 2, 2016
“Kakizome” Workshop: First Writing of the Year

Kakizome (書き初め) is the term for the first calligraphy writing of the new year, traditionally performed on the second day of January. This event is also called 吉書 (kissho), 初硯 (hatsu-suzuri) and 試筆 (shi-hitsu). People write auspicious words or a short Japanese or Chinese poetry, such as haiku or tanka, something that symbolizes one’s wishes for the New Year. In modern times, people simply prefer to choose kanji characters that have positive meanings and one’s resolution for the year.

Traditionally, Kakizome is written with fresh water taken from the well in the morning of the New Year’s Day, which is called 若水 (Wakamizu), as this water is believed to be holy. Ink grinding gives you meditative moment to reflect your thoughts and wishes for the new beginning of the year. From ancient times in Oriental countries, calligraphy has been defined as “書は人なり” (sho wa hito nari = “calligraphy is the person”), and “書、心画也” (書、心の画なり: sho, kokoro no e nari = “calligraphy, a painting of your heart), meaning that our handwriting reflects one’s personality: emotions, discipline, sophistication and inner spirit. Kakizome is a perfect challenge for one to embody your wishes in handwritten words; prepare the ink, focus in the moment, pick up the brush and write the steady strokes without hesitating in a smooth, continuous flow.

The history of Kakizome goes back to more than 500 years ago. Kakizome was originally a ceremonial event in the Imperial Court. Before the Edo period (1603 – 1868), education was only accessible to children of samurai and ruling families, so as calligraphy. In the beginning of 17th century, terakoya, private educational institutions originally founded in Buddhist temples, began to teach mainly reading and writing to children of middle class and commoners, and has widely spread in cities such as Edo and Osaka during the Edo period, remarkably in 1830s. In Meiji Period, the government instituted public school system to provide basic education for the entire nation (called 学制 Gakusei, instituted in 1872), and calligraphy classes became mandatory as part of the public education curriculum. Since then, Kakizome has spread among commoners and became a popular event for the New Years.

In Japan, Kakizome is usually burned at a Sagicho festival on the 14th or 15th of January. If your burned paper flies high, it is believed to be implying that your writing skill will improve.

Here at my studio, Atelier Towa, I will be hosting Kakizome workshops on January 9th and 10th!
Details are on the link below:

Looking forward to enjoying New Year calligraphy with you!

December 31, 2015
Open Studio & Holiday Art Sales

It’s been about a year since I moved to this beautiful new location in North/West Berkeley. Just before this year ends, I’ve decided to do open studio / holiday sales!
Artworks from the series “Momentum” will be on view; selected limited edition prints will be available. Limited postcards and greeting cards will be available for sale, perfect for the holiday season!

Japanese calligraphy tools and materials for beginners that I hand-selected and imported from Japan are available for purchase, if you are interested in taking lessons here at Atelier Towa next year, or practicing calligraphy yourself (I grew up practicing using these tools, so you have my word on its quality!). You will get discounted lesson fee if you bring tools and materials you purchased at Atelier Towa.

You can also pre-sign-up for Kakizome workshop (Kakizome: first calligraphy of the New Year) in person, which will take place here at the atelier on January 9th, 2016!

Hope to see you there!

Open Studio Hours:
Saturday, Dec 19 11am-6pm
Sunday, Dec 20 11am – 4pm

Location:
Atelier Towa: Aoi Yamaguchi Calligraphy
1450 Fourth Street #11, Berkeley, CA 94710

You need GATE CODE to get in:
If you are interested in visiting, please RSVP (FREE) from the button below.
You will receive the door code to enter the building before the event!

December 15, 2015
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOPS STARTING IN DECEMBER

Starting December 2015, I’m going to begin teaching a series of Japanese calligraphy workshops in my studio in Berkeley California, called Atelier Towa. The first two sessions are on Sunday December 6th, morning and afternoon. More classes and programs will be announced as they are scheduled. For those who have been curious about Japanese calligraphy but never officially tried before; who have held calligraphy brush a couple times in the past and thinking about exploring more; who enjoy brush paintings and want to polish your skill in controlling brush; who enjoy yoga and meditation, want to center your mind through a zen moment by feeling your energy leaving traces on a paper – this would be the place for you. I’ll do my best to introduce various aspect of Japanese calligraphy to deepen your understanding of its history, discipline, styles, format, tools and materials, and assist you to improve your skills. The best way to the fast improvement is to enjoy doing it! Hope you can join us and together we’ll enjoy the art of Japanese calligraphy!

For more details & registrations:
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Looking forward to have you at Atelier Towa!

November 25, 2015
Calligraphy Logo for Omakase San Francisco

Earlier this year, I worked on a calligraphy logo for Omakase, a new high-end Edo-mae style sushi restaurant in SOMA district of San Francisco. They just opened in September this year, and recently won a 2016 Michelin Guide star! I heard that now there’s a month-long wait for reservation, which made me really to happy to hear. I finally got to experience dining at Omakase this week, and witnessed the packed, fun and lively sushi counter in action.

My calligraphy “おまかせ” (Omakase – meaning “chef’s choice) engraved on a wood slab for the interior alcove at Omakase.

Chef Yoshihito prepping food at the sushi counter.

Calligraphy logo “Omakase” I worked on is engraved on the wooden cover of their food menu.

Omakase serves fresh sashimi fish imported straight from Tsukiji Market everyday. One of the best dish I had was the uni, sea urchin from Hokkaido and their home-marinated ikura (I’ve always thought that my grandma’s home-marinated ikura in Hokkaido was the best, but really, it was very close to the best flavor of ikura shoyu-zuke that I know. Yes, Hokkaido is my hometown and don’t get me wrong, I may be biased. 😉 ). They also blend their own sashimi soy sauce – I love such chef’s original “kodawari” in those details.

I don’t have much photos of the food to post here, as I wanted to focus on being in the moment and enjoying the dining experience with my parter, friends and restaurant staff. Sorry! You can enjoy more beautiful photos on their website: http://www.omakasesf.com/

Their selection of beautiful Japanese tea pots on traditional Japanese wooden cabinet in the restaurant. Business cards with the restaurant’s logo on the left.

“Check please.” – English “Omakase” logo on the leather cover of the bill folder.

With Omakase chefs: Yoshihito Yoshimoto, me, Jackson Yu, and Ingi Son (from the left)

It’s always exciting to have my calligraphy works being part of unique experiences, made by people who strive for excellence in their creation. Congratulations to staff, chef and everyone at Omakase. Special thanks and applause to Aya Yanagisawa for your hard work, and making me part of this project.

Japanese cuisine is booming at every corner in San Francisco Bay Area. There are numbers of new Izakaya, sushi bars and ramen restaurants opening every year, and each of them are different and unique in their flavors, styles and presentations: authentic, traditional, modern, hip, experimental, edgy, avant-garde… It excites us to see what new cultural experiences are brought, innovated and offered in our neighborhood. Food is an universal language, with no prior experience or knowledge required. You can share and enjoy with others, friends and loved ones of all ages, of any ethnicity with different cultural background. And I believe that’s the beauty: it’s like a little world journey on your tongue – you can just knock on the door, and get a taste of the culture from the other side of the globe.

Omakase
665 Townsend St. (between 7th and 8th street)
San Francisco, CA
(415) 865-0633. omakasesf.com

November 22, 2015
Back in the US: at Atelier Towa.

“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.”

― Osho

***

After three months in Japan, I am finally back to my atelier in Berkeley.

These beautiful flowers from my love and neighbors welcomed my return both in the car and at home. How pretty, how sweet. I am well and recharged, and excited to get back to work. Thank you all for those who sent me beautiful gifts, warm thoughts and messages – I’m so touched by your kindness, and it really encouraged me to stay strong.

Another happy announcement… the new sign of for my atelier, “Atelier Towa” (アトリエ咏遠), is officially up on the building directory at the entrance!

I’m planning to finally begin calligraphy workshops later this month.
Details including dates, hours, sign-up links to be announced very soon!

Upcoming Events:
1. Calligraphy Workshops (Starting late November 2015)
2. Open Studio
3. Kakizome (Calligraphy for the New Year) Workshop (in January, 2016)
4. Solo exhibition & performance in Sapporo, Hokkaido Japan (in February, 2016)

For commissions and other inquiries, please contact at info@aoiyamaguchi.com.
Private visits can be scheduled by appointments.

Thank you so much for your patience, and looking forward to enjoy the beautiful world of Japanese calligraphy with you!

November 6, 2015
Tea Time & Autumn Colors.

The trees on the streets and mountains are turning into Autumn colors here in Hokkaido. Tiny “Yukimushi” (snow fly) are flying around everywhere, resembling snow flakes dancing in the brisk air – telling us that the Winter is right around the corner.

I was in a hospital to take care of my health for about less than two weeks, and came back home to my family well enough to enjoy some treats. My aunt congratulated me for coming home with this sweet “Nama-Yatsuhashi” from Kyoto. Walking around in the neighborhood, I’m always surprised to see how scenery changes so quickly as the season is shifting from the late Summer to Fall in Japan. Recent typhoon thrashed the trees and painted the street with colorful splashes of fallen leaves. I collected some adorable ones, and added some colors to my first little tea time of this month.

Everyone who encouraged me with your warm thoughts, messages, gifts – thank you all so much for your kindness and understanding. I am realizing how much love I’m surrounded by. I am grateful for a simple fact that I can breathe, eat, talk, communicate, express myself, and even pursue my career in art. We all have natural strength to heal, and overcome difficult times.

“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu

All of me is not possible without you, without love.
Your presence inspire me, gave me courage to overcome fear, and willpower to recover.

I am now excited to be slowly back to work!

October 12, 2015