Category: Holidays

  • 結 (yui • musubi): HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019

    結 (yui • musubi): HAPPY NEW YEAR 2019

    [vc_row][vc_column][rs_image_block align=”align-center” image=”7329″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]「結」(yui • musubi) - the knot / to connect / to tie

    Welcome 2019, Happy New Year!

    After surviving through sickness until the New Year’s Eve, finally I can hold my brush again and I feel refreshed and energized for this year ahead. We had a annual New Year’s Calligraphy “Kakizome” workshop yesterday, with lovely families and some new faces – thank you all for those who attended! Inspired by the positive energies around us, I’ve written my own Kakizome, “結” (the knot / to connect / to tie) with all my warm thoughts for the year.

    “糸” (thread) combined with “吉” (auspiciousness, good fortune) makes the kanji character of “結”. Traditionally, “吉” symbolizes a shape of vessel (口) to place a ritual prayer with an battle axe (士) on top to protect the power of the wishes. Together with 糸, “結” means to make your wish come true and protect the auspiciousness by making a strong knot. Later on, the character also come to have meanings such as “to connect” two threads, “to tie” a knot or “to promise”, and “to strengthen” your wishes or determination.

    In the past year, with my motto for the year “織”, I’ve been weaving an unique pattern with countless meaningful encounters around the world. My wish for this year is to “結”; to tie the ends of the threads, to memorize each moment more firmer than ever – and to cherish my time with my family, friends and loved ones. It’s my utmost happiness to share the joy and seeing smiles through calligraphy art. I hope that this circle of happiness will grow along with the number of knots we make as we embrace every encounter, every goal we aim and achieve together.

    Wishing you all good health, happiness and success in the coming year!

    *

    2019年明けましておめでとうございます。風邪に倒れ、大晦日まで全く筆を持つことの出来なかった年末が明け、元日から何か清々しく、心晴れやかなここ三が日を過ごしています。昨日は早速、毎年恒例の書き初めワークショップを開催!元気一杯のご家族のみなさんに参加いただいて、とっても楽しいセッションとなり、新年に向けて新たな抱負も明確となりました。今年一年への想いは「結」の一字に込め、私も新年の一筆。

    これまで、一糸一糸「織」ってきた鮮やかな模様。今年はその一糸一端をしっかりと「結」んでいく一年にしたい。家族との絆、大切な人たちとの絆を温めながら、自分自身とゆっくり向き合って、幸せな筆の軌跡を共有していきたいと思っています。書道を通して沢山の人々、沢山の笑顔と触れ合える喜びが、私の何よりの幸福です。ひとつひとつの決意や出逢いの結び目ごとに、少しずつ広がっていくこの幸福の「結」の輪が、一緒に結んだあなたにも、幸せをもたらしてくれますようにと、祈りを込めて。

    相変わらずな私ですが、本年もどうぞ宜しくお願い申し上げます。[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • 「織」-WEAVE- New Year’s Greetings 2018

    「織」-WEAVE- New Year’s Greetings 2018

     

    「織」-Weave-

    一本一本丁寧に心を込めて糸を織り込むように
    一人一人との繋がりをたいせつに
    一糸一糸が重なり合い、鮮やかな文様が描かれてゆく
    そうして織りなされるひとつの織物のように
    柔らかくしなやかに、強い芯を持って
    私らしい模様を織っていく。

    Incorporating the yarn with care one by one
    Is like connecting the paths with you, and new you
    Each line overlaps and a vivid pattern is drawn
    Like a fabric woven in an unique texture
    Soft and supple, but with strength
    I will weave my own pattern, with you.

    Wishing you and yours peace and light in 2018.

    一緒に素敵な模様を、織っていけますように。

     皆様に平穏と光ある幸多き一年となりますようお祈り申し上げます。
    本年もどうぞ宜しくお願いいたします。

  • Open Studio & Holiday Art Sales

    Open Studio & Holiday Art Sales

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    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!

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  • 北の大地から: Letter from the North

     

    北海道に帰って来ています。
    この冬は制作場所を札幌に、久しぶりに地元で新年を迎えようと思います。
    千歳へ向かう車内。雪に覆われた道路、山々、木々を眺めながら、夕焼けの空に心を奪われ
    自分の生まれた地に白い息を吐いて、こころが還って来たなと感じられる、ここ数日です。

    来月は東京、京都でのパフォーマンスショーを控えています。
    久しぶりに日本で、世界で活躍する尊敬する仲間と一緒にパフォーマンスできるのは幸福なこと。
    今からわくわくしています。

    I’m back in Hokkaido.
    I’ll be here in my hometown Sapporo for this Winter, working on new pieces and performances. It’s been a while to spend the new years’ day in Japan with my family, very relaxing, refreshing, heartwarming times here in the land of snow.
    On our way to Chitose – gazing at the road, mountains, trees covered in snow through the window. Beautiful colors of sunset is stealing my heart.
    Seeing my white breath in this cold air, I’m feeling that my heart and my body has returned to my roots.

    I have performance shows in Tokyo and Kyoto in January.
    I’m excited to perform with my such a talented friends here in Japan – friends gathering from Toyama, San Francisco, New York, and Sweden.
    Looking forward to see you all very soon!