Set pen to paper and learn the elegant flow of kana calligraphy from a master artisan
2 hour private experience
Location: Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Learn the foundations of kana calligraphy from a professional calligrapher. Practice writing a Japanese waka or haiku of your own choice. Then, create your final masterpiece. The finished work will be sent to a professional scroll maker and transformed into hanging art, shipped to your address after completion.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
What to wear
Clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (10:00 - 12:00)
Session 2 (13:00 - 15:00)
Session 3 (15:00 - 17:00)
Unavailable on the second and fourth Mondays and Wednesdays of the month
Access
10 minutes by car from Tokyo Station
6 minutes walk from Akihabara Station
Fine Lines
Looping lines of delicate black ink leap out from the paper, motif and color especially selected to match the mood of the season. Instead of the sweeping bold strokes needed to create kanji characters, the kana calligraphy utilizes a syllabary writing system, letting full poems flow onto the page. Developed more than 1000 years ago during Japan's Heian Period, an era of flourishing arts and Japanese aristocracy, the kana syllabary became synonymous with penning waka poetry, whereas kanji remained the go-to choice for official documents and texts. Beyond the artistry of the words themselves, the poignancy of the poems also extends from the beauty of the ink. Led by an award-winning kana calligraphist, whose work has been both featured in instructional textbooks, and graced the walls of countless Tokyo restaurants and businesses, learn the foundations of this ancient art. Carefully practice utilizing the calligraphy utensils while tracing the practice sheets, before letting your inspiration flow onto the final copy of your work. More than mere words, kana calligraphy is meant to be displayed, frequently hung in the tokonoma alcoves of traditional Japanese tea rooms. The calligraphy poem that you complete with the master's assistance will be sent to a professional scroll maker and transformed into a masterpiece that can decorate your home after returning from Japan.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
