AOI YAMAGUCHI CALLIGRAPHY

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Japanese Calligraphy Group Lessons for Beginners: Autumn 2016

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At this Autumn series of hands-on workshops spanning from September to November, you will learn and practice basic Japanese calligraphy skills, meditative calligraphy process and finding the balance between the mind and body. We will go over the basics: how to hold the brush and control the brush, posture, how to take care of tools and materials, various kinds of Japanese gasen paper and sumi inks. As the fall of autumn leaves symbolizes, it’s the perfect season to focus on inner-self, preparing for a hibernation, building foundation as you explore new possibilities. This workshops will be a small group of adult beginners.

If you’re interested in private lessons, please contact us from here.

* Calligraphy in the photo: 「待宵」(Matsu-yoi)
待宵 (matsu-yoi) is August 15th by lunar calendar, the day before the autumn full-moon viewing day called 十五夜 (Jyu-goya) in Japan. It also means an brisk evening waiting and longing for someone you love. This term symbolizes the beginning of the autumn season, with a slight sentimental, romantic feeling, which invites you to the world of Japanese poetry from centuries ago.

Looking forward to having you join us!

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September 5, 2016
書と和菓子 Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS -Five Elements- at Morimoto Napa

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Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa presents

COSMOS: FIVE ELEMENTS
Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Confectionery
Demonstration & Tasting

Inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements: 木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-Sui：Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), I collaborated with Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery “wagashi” chef Shiho Sakamoto and Morimoto Napa to create unique visual and edible art.

The event featured five courses of savory dishes by Chef Ichiro Tsuji, each inspired by the Five Elements, followed by Sakamoto and I presenting five courses of wagashi delicately served on contemporary Japanese calligraphy art on various Japanese washi papers, one inspired by each element of the five elements.

With Japanese traditional aesthetics and wabi-sabi culture, our intention was to realize our vision through a multi-sensory experience inviting you to celebrate nature’s blessings as represented by the Five Elements; in essence, the entire cosmos.[/vc_column_text][rs_gallery column=”2″ images=”5911,5908″][vc_column_text]Shiho Sakamoto (front), Aoi Yamaguchi (me, in the back) / Chef Ichiro Tsuji of Morimoto Napa[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”3″ images=”5912,5920,5921,5922,5909,5941,5910,5924,5925,5944,5926,5927″][vc_column_text]Chef Ichiro presented beautiful five courses. It was inspiring to hear the concept behind each dishes, and his interpretation of Five Elements reflected into the selection of the ingredients, how he prepared them and stunning presentation.

For the second half of the night, Shiho Sakamoto and I presented our Five Elements, the marriage of Japanese calligraphy and wagashi. Our inspiration was the two contrasting cycle of energies of Five Elements:

Generating Energy (Chi)

Based on Five Element Theory, each elemental force generates or creates the next element in a creative sequence.

Water generates wood. Rain nourishes a tree.
Wood generates fire. Burning wood generates fire.
Fire generates earth. Ash is created from the fire.
Earth generates metal. Metal is mined from the earth.
Metal generates water. Water condenses on metal.

Regulating Energy (Chi)

Based on Five Element Theory, each elemental force is also associated with another element which it is responsible for controlling or regulating.

Water controls fire. Water puts fire out.
Wood controls earth. Tree roots hold clods of earth.
Fire controls metal. Fire can melt metal.
Earth controls water. A pond holds water.
Metal controls wood. An ax cuts wood.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”2″ images=”5913,5960,5928,5914,5929,5915″][rs_image_block lightbox=”yes” image=”5930″ margin_bottom=”25px”][vc_column_text]First element: 「木」 – Mok “WOOD”-[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”2″ images=”5932,5934,5942,5943″][rs_image_block image=”5916″ margin_bottom=”25px”][vc_column_text]Second element: 「火」 -Ka “FIRE”-[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”2″ images=”5935,5933,5918,5917″][rs_image_block lightbox=”yes” margin_bottom=”25px” image=”5950″][vc_column_text]Third element: 「土」 – Doe “EARTH” – / Fourth element: 「金」 – Gon “METAL” –[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”2″ images=”5948,5951″][rs_image_block lightbox=”yes” image=”5939″ margin_bottom=”25px”][vc_column_text]Lastly, fifth element: 「水」- Sui “Water” –[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Presented by:
Morimoto Napa, Chef Ichiro Tsuji
Japanese Calligraphy “Sho”: Aoi Yamaguchi (Aoi Yamaguchi Calligraphy)
Japanese Confectionery “Wagashi”: Shiho Sakamoto (紫をん（Shiwon）)
Assistant: Sayaka Tani

Special thanks to:
Sayaka, Chef Ichiro-san, Amy Ahnfeldt, Eduardo Dingler, Vivian, and our precious guests to make this event possible!

Photos by Vivian Sachs Photography[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

August 28, 2016
書と和菓子 Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS Pre-Event at Conde House SF

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Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS is my collaborative project with Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery “wagashi” chef Shiho Sakamoto, inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements: 木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-Sui：Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), creating unique experiences of marriage of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese confectionery.

To kick-off the series, Shiho and I, along with certified sake sommelier, Yoshihiro Sako, held a pre-event at Conde House USA showroom, aiming to introduce what shodo, wagashi, and sake are, through stories and our own personal narratives how we have incorporated these ancient arts – sho, sake, and wagashi – into contemporary forms. We discussed our process of creation in each respective medium and how material, language and culture shape their creations and their worldview.

This special marriage of art, performance and tasting was hosted by Conde House USA which is located at the San Francisco Design Center. Conde House specializes in creating beautifully designed contemporary Japanese furniture, made in the northernmost island of Hokkaido. The Machiya inspired showroom reflects the feel of a traditional Japanese Merchant House blending the history of ancient workshop spaces with today’s minimalist sensibilities. As purveyors of innovative modern furniture and designs of Japanese craftsmanship, the Conde House Showroom makes for an ideal home for this unique and intimate exchange of culture, knowledge and imagination.

I. Introduction: What is Sho, Wagashi, and Sake?
II. Selected wagashi & sake tasting
III. Panel Discussion, Q&A

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Presented by
Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Calligraphy “Sho” Artist
Shiho Sakamoto, Japanese Traditional Confectionery “Wagashi” Artist
Yoshihiro Sako, Sake Sommelier

In collaboration with
Yuko Sato, Potter

Special Thanks to:
Conde House USA, Tak-san, Natsumi-san, and everyone who attended the event!

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August 13, 2016
Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa, Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Confectionery

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書と和菓子

Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS x Morimoto Napa
COSMOS – FIVE ELEMENTS –

Marriage of Japanese Cuisine, Calligraphy and Japanese Confectionery Demonstration & Tasting

For the second series of Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS, we are collaborating with Morimoto Napa, an inventive, high-end Japanese restaurant owned by Chef Masaharu Morimoto. He is known to millions as star Iron Chef and Iron Chef America, has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, bringing intense excitement, exquisite technique, and perfectly balanced flavors to thousands of diners throughout the world.

Inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements: 木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-Sui：Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), Japanese calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi and Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery wagashi chef Shiho Sakamoto collaborate with Morimoto Napa to create unique visual and edible art.

For the first part of the evening, guests will be served five courses of savory appetizers selected by the chef. For the second half of the evening, Yamaguchi and Sakamoto will treat you to five courses – one inspired by each element of the five elements – of wagashidelicately served on contemporary Japanese calligraphy.

Sakamoto will demonstrate how wagashi is created and as you enjoy wagashi, served with flavorful green tea, you will learn the artists’ poetic process of transforming inspiration into art. With Japanese traditional aesthetics and wabi-sabi culture, the artists realize their vision through a multi-sensory experience inviting you to celebrate nature’s blessings as represented by the Five Elements; in essence, the entire cosmos.

Presented by
Morimoto Napa
Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Calligraphy “Sho (書)” Artist
Shiho Sakamoto, Japanese Traditional Confectionery “Wagashi (和菓子)” Artist

DATE
Sunday August 14, 2016 6pm-9pm
3 hours / Limited to 15 guests

5 course custom menu presented by Morimoto Napa
5 course Japanese calligraphy & wagashi presented by Aoi Yamaguchi & Shiho Sakamoto

SOUVENIR
You can take each small limited edition hand-printed calligraphy artworks home with you as a unique keepsake from the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_button url=”https://sho_wagashi_cosmos_morimotonapa.eventbrite.com” title=”RESERVE YOUR SEATS” color=”grey” size=”medium” target=”blank”]RESERVE YOUR SETS[/symple_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_heading title=”COLLABORATOR”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column align=”left” width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column align=”left” width=”3/4″][vc_column_text align=”left”]Japanese confectioner, wagashi, Sakamoto creates and supervises made-to-order Japanese confectionery for special tea ceremonies such as tie-up with the movie “Ask This of Rikyu (Rikyu ni Tazuneyo)” in 2013, a special tea ceremony for the opening COREDO Muromachi department store in Tokyo in 2014, and the tea ceremony for Japanese popular manga “Hyouge Mono” in 2014. She actively holds workshops in Japan and abroad. She joined “World Tea Forum” in Korea as a representative of Japanese confectionery chef in 2015, and also gave a demonstration how to make Japanese wagashi at Salone del Mobile, Milano in 2016. Sakamoto engages in creating wagashi for the tea ceremony hosted by Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of the current Prime Minister of Japan.

Official Facebook page：紫をん（Shiwon）https://www.facebook.com/wagashi.shiwon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiwon.wagashi/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

July 30, 2016
Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS @ Turtle & Hare, Oakland – Marriage of Japanese Calligraphy and Confectionery

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I’m excited to announce my new collaborative project titled “Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS”, which aims to fuse the art of Japanese calligraphy and Japanese confectionery, wagashi. My partner in crime is Shiho Sakamoto, known as Shiwon, hailing from Tokyo to San Francisco this August, and we’re planning a few events in cities in Bay Area together which we’d like you to join us.

書と和菓子

Sho to Wagashi: COSMOS
– FIVE ELEMENTS –

Marriage of Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Confectionery Demonstration & Tasting

Japanese calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi and Tokyo-based Japanese traditional confectionery wagashi chef Shiho Sakamoto collaborate to create unique visual and edible art forms. Inspired by Yin-Yang and Five Elements: 木火土金水 (Mok-Ka-Doe-Gon-Sui：Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water), Yamaguchi and Sakamoto will treat you to five courses ofwagashi delicately served on contemporary Japanese calligraphy, personalized to each element. Grounded by Japanese traditional aesthetics and wabi-sabi culture, the artists realize their vision through a multi-sensory experience inviting you to celebrate nature’s blessings as represented by the Five Elements which compose the entire cosmos.

This special event is held at Turtle & Hare, a retail showroom showcasing Furniture and Contemporary Craft from Local and Japanese designers & craftsmen.

Presented by

Aoi Yamaguchi, Japanese Calligraphy “Sho (書)” Artist
Shiho Sakamoto, Japanese Traditional Confectionery “Wagashi (和菓子)” Artist

In collaboration with
Turtle & Hare

DATE
Saturday August 13, 2016
Afternoon Session: 12:00pm – 2:00pm
Evening Session: 4:00pm – 6:00pm

DURATION
2 hours per session / Limited to 15 guests per session
– Wagashi making demonstration followed by tasting, served with Japanese green tea
– Presented with limited edition Japanese calligraphy artworks personalized to each element

LOCATION

Turtle & Hare
478 25th Street Studio A
Oakland, CA 94612
http://www.turtleandhare.net/

TICKETS / ADMISSION
$75

SOUVENIR
You can take each limited edition hand-printed calligraphy artworks home with you as a unique keepsake from the event.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_button url=”https://sho_wagashi_cosmos_turtleandhare.eventbrite.com” title=”SIGN-UP FOR THE EVENT” color=”grey” size=”medium” target=”blank”]SIGN-UP FOR THE EVENT[/symple_button][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][symple_heading title=”COLLABORATOR”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]Japanese confectioner, wagashi, Sakamoto creates and supervises made-to-order Japanese confectionery for special tea ceremonies such as tie-up with the movie “Ask This of Rikyu (Rikyu ni Tazuneyo)” in 2013, a special tea ceremony for the opening COREDO Muromachi department store in Tokyo in 2014, and the tea ceremony for Japanese popular manga “Hyouge Mono” in 2014. She actively holds workshops in Japan and abroad. She joined “World Tea Forum” in Korea as a representative of Japanese confectionery chef in 2015, and also gave a demonstration how to make Japanese wagashi at Salone del Mobile, Milano in 2016. Sakamoto engages in creating wagashi for the tea ceremony hosted by Mrs. Akie Abe, the wife of the current Prime Minister of Japan.

Official Facebook page：紫をん（Shiwon）https://www.facebook.com/wagashi.shiwon
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiwon.wagashi/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

July 30, 2016
Summer 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Group Lessons for Beginners “礎” Schedule Announced!

Summer season’s Japanese calligraphy lessons for adult beginners “礎 (ishizue)” is now open for registration! As summer season is busy time, we have three lesson schedule dates to choose from, from July to August. Thursday evenings are added to the schedule, for those who prefer to come enjoy Japanese calligraphy after work during the weekdays.

Looking forward to having you in my atelier!

July 18, 2016
Calligraphy Title & Credits for the Film “Garm Wars The Last Druid” by Mamoru Oshii

[vc_row margin=”mb-70 mb-xs-50″][vc_column][rs_media media_type=”youtube” y_url=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/btT2DdJ2BSQ” width=”1920px” height=”1080px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Excited to announce that I worked on calligraphy title and credits for director Mamoru Oshii, the world-renowned Japanese film director known for his work “Ghost in the Shell.” His new live action/animation hybrid film titled “GARM WARS The Last Druid” was released internationally in 2014, and officially released in Japan in 2016. The film was shot in English and coproduced by Canadian film studio, premiered at Tokyo International Film Festival in 2014. Please check it out!

押井守監督の最新作『GARM WARS The Last Druid』(2014) の映画タイトル、クレジットを揮毫させていただきました。実写とCGの融合したハイブリッド・アニメーションである今作はカナダとの共同制作。ついにトレーラー映像が公開され、東京国際映画祭では特別招待作品として上映されました。2014年には海外で、2016年には日本でも公開されたそうです。ぜひみなさんチェックしてみてください！

Poster images: ©️ Production I.G[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][rs_gallery column=”3″ images=”6363,6361″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

May 16, 2016
Spring 2016 Japanese Calligraphy Workshops for Beginners “礎” Dates Announced: Starts April 9

Spring is here! There’s something about the Springtime that makes us feel so fresh and inspired to begin anew. I love this feeling. I’m happy to announce that a series of Japanese calligraphy workshops here at Atelier Towa in Berkeley is now open for registration, waiting for you to participate.

礎 (ishizue) means “base / foundation” in Japanese: At this hands-on workshop, you will learn and practice basic Japanese calligraphy skills, meditative calligraphy process and finding the balance between the mind and body. We will go over the basics: how to hold the brush and control the brush, posture, how to take care of tools and materials, various kinds of Japanese gasen paper and sumi inks. During the workshop, you will be introduced to the fundamental Japanese calligraphy techniques, and you will be practicing and making your own calligraphy artwork.

The first session is scheduled on Saturday April 9th, 11am – 2pm; there are 5 sessions total spanning until June 4th to cover the fundamentals for this Spring program. You’re welcome to take one session to see how you’d like it. It’s going to be a very small group, nice and cozy. If you are interested, check out more details and dates by clicking below:

Looking forward to having you at Atelier Towa!

March 31, 2016
“New Traditions: Buhay x Sei” at Asian Art Museum

“It’s Golden!” — San Francisco Asian Art Museum is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. On the first weekend of March, Saturday March 5th and Sunday March 6th, 2016, I was invited to perform live calligraphy, give a presentation and have a studio talk at San Francisco Asian Art Museum. Titled as “New Traditions: Buhay x Sei.” I performed large-scale live calligraphy in collaboration with Kristain Kabuay, a Baybayin (an ancient Philippine script) artist, with live music that represent our traditional culture and own rhythm.

“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.

My large Japanese calligraphy brush, resting before the big moment…

Setting up, having a quiet moment before the opening:
My large-scale Japanese calligraphy paper for the performance is laid out on the floor in the North Court of the museum.

Meditation..

My collaborators, Aleo Mok & Galen Rogers of Jiten Daiko

My performance was accompanied by talented young Japanese taiko drummers, Galen Rogers and Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko. Starting with ambient sound by scratching the surface of the taiko drum, they transformed the liveliness in the North Court into a small cosmos — everyone held his/her breath, slowly invited to the rising energy with dynamic crescendo of the drum beats. Together, it was a collaborative performance to artistically express 生 “life” in both calligraphy writing and sound. They were so in sync with the rhythm of my calligraphic movements, and I loved holding brush surrounded by their drumming, that sounded like the heartbeat of the character I was writing.

The first stroke.

“生 – Life”

Writing in unison with Kristian Kabuay

Thank you so much for those who made it to our two-days live calligraphy performances & presentations. I’ve never seen North Court of the museum so packed, great energies. It was really exciting to perform to dynamic drum beats by Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok of Jiten Daiko, it was transcending. Thank you all for such an inspiring day.

Happy 50th birthday AAM, hope to come back again!

Collaborators:
Japanese Taiko Drums: Galen Rogers & Aleo Mok
Baybayin Calligraphy: Kristian Kabuay
Klingtang: Kulintronica (on 5th) & Titania Buchholdt (on 6th)

March 20, 2016
陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows on Hokkaido Newspaper / SHIFT

My on-going solo exhibition “陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows” was featured in Hokkaido Newspaper, evening edition on March 1st. The article briefly summarizes my background and artist activities in foreign countries.

It is such an honor to have an exhibition and share my life work with people in my hometown Sapporo, Hokkaido — where I grew up surrounded by beautiful nature, taught and learned the deep world Japanese calligraphy. I was so grateful, in owe, to perform my art in front of not only the “dosanko” curious minds, but also my childhood friends and family, calligraphy peers, professors, masters and members of the calligraphy association. Hokkaido is always my home, where nurtured me into who I am now. I am determined to continue my journey to share the beauty of Japanese traditional art and spirituality with the world.

3月1日の北海道新聞夕刊に、クロスホテル札幌で開催中の私の個展『陰翳 IN-EI: The Resonance of Shadows』、そして私の海外での活動について、こんなに大きく掲載してくださいました！嬉しいです。多くの方々に、展示を楽しんで頂ける事を願っています。そしてまた近い将来に、もっと多くの日本の方々に観ていただけるよう、来日パフォーマンスを実現出来たらと思っています。

SHIFT.JP.ORG, a trilingual creative culture magazine, featured my solo exhibition on the front page. Thank you SHIFT for such beautiful words about my work, and my collaborative performances with Corey Fuller. English version is going to be published soon.

Exhibition runs until April 30th, 2016 at Cross Hotel Sapporo, Hokkaido. If you have a chance to visit Hokkaido, please stop by the exhibit and enjoy the expressive shades of sumi-ink and strokes along with the poem I’ve written for the concept of the show.

また、世界のクリエイティブカルチャーを紹介するトライリンガルマガジンSHIFTが、私の個展のレビュー、また北海道での２つのライブパフォーマンスについても、とても素敵なレポートを書いてくださいました。
実際に足を運べなかった方々も、ぜひご一読いただけると嬉しいです。

展示・作品販売は、4月30日まで開催されております。北海道札幌にお立ち寄りの際は、ぜひクロスホテル札幌まで足を伸ばし、濃墨と淡墨の世界に触れ、作品のコンセプトとなる私の自詠みの詩を読みながら、一つ一つの作品をじっくりと味わっていただけたら幸いです。

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March 17, 2016