Category: Workshops

Yes, we are having a kakizome workshop again this 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.

During this workshop, you will be trying Kakizome with your choice of words for your wishes for the New Year on the large pieces of calligraphy paper! We will go over the basics from how to hold the brush to how to control the brush, the balance between the mind and body, understanding the structure and meaning of Japanese characters, basic brush techniques and possibilities of Sumi ink. First, we will practice on small scale, and then you will be writing with a large Kakizome calligraphy brush on “hansetsu” sized calligraphy paper. You don’t know what to write? Don’t worry, we will have a list of words and phrases for you to choose or be inspired from.

This one-time workshop is designed for a small group of beginners and intermediate level of all ages. No prior art experience is necessary. Materials provided. Just come dressed in relaxed clothing that you don’t mind getting inks (yes, you never know!).  Space is limited; early registration is encouraged!

Date:
Saturday 1/7  11:00am – 1:30pm (sold out!) | 3:00pm – 5:30pm
Saturday 1/21 11am – 1:30pm

More details & registration from the button below!
Looking forward to seeing you there!

*

今年も、書き初めワークショップを開催します！
新年への抱負を心に、心機一転、大きな筆を持ってみませんか。
最初は半紙で練習、そして半切大画仙紙にチャレンジします。
紙・筆・墨・道具一式はご用意していますので、手ぶらでお越しくださいね。

日程：
Saturday 1/7
午前の会 11:00am – 1:30pm (sold out!) と午後の会 3:00pm – 5:30pm

場所：
Atelier Towa: Aoi Yamaguchi Calligraphy
1450 4th Street #11 Berkeley, CA 94710

詳細・参加申し込みは、以下のボタン “VIEW CLASSES & REGISTER” から。
奮ってご参加ください！

[symple_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-japanese-calligraphy-kakizome-workshop-tickets-30213717041″ color=”grey” size=”medium” border_radius=”3px” target=”blank” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]VIEW CLASSES & REGISTER[/symple_button]

[symple_heading style=”” title=”Japanese Calligraphy Workshops for Beginners: Autumn 2016″ type=”h2″ font_size=”30px” text_align=”left” margin_top=”30″ margin_bottom=”30″ color=”undefined” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]

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!

[symple_button url=”https://www.eventbrite.com/e/japanese-calligraphy-workshop-for-beginners-autumn-2016-tickets-27500141664″ color=”grey” size=”small” border_radius=”3px” target=”self” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””] VIEW DETAILS & REGISTER FOR CLASSES [/symple_button]

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!

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!

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!

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:
[symple_button url=”https://vpft26yt33b.c.updraftclone.com/workshops/” color=”grey” size=”small” border_radius=”3px” target=”self” rel=”” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]VIEW CLASSES & REGISTER [/symple_button]

Looking forward to have you at Atelier Towa!