A JOURNEY TO SHODO “ZEN AND SHO”:
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY COURSE FOR RETURNING STUDENTS | SPRING SESSIONS 2025 STARTING IN MARCH
I’m excited to unveil the new series of Japanese calligraphy course for returning students who wish to continue practicing on regular basis to improve brushwork skills, as well as to develop mindfulness, starting this Spring. Titled as “Zen and Sho“, this course explores the world of Zen philosophy to practice shodo.
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Shodo is one of the “lifelong studies (生涯学習)” — you can spend your entire life practicing, deepening your knowledge, improving your skill, and essentially pursuing your own style and expressions. These all lead to cultivation of the mind and enrichment of your life. If you enjoy practicing Japanese calligraphy and you would like to practice regularly, both to improve your brush work skills and also develop mindfulness, join our unique classes designed for returning students.
In this monthly series, we will introduce new Zen phrases each month and practice in calligraphy either in Standard Script (楷書: Kaisho) or Regular Script (行書: Gyosho) of your choice based on your skill level. Zen-Go (禅語), or Zen phrases, are words and phrases that concisely express Zen truths. Many of them are derived from Zen classics, anecdotes, and scriptures of high-ranking Zen Buddhist monks. We will take a close look at the meaning of the selected Zen phrase, and instill the teaching into your mind to look deeper into your inner-self. You will learn not only the technical aspect of the calligraphy scripts, but also the unique characteristics of the historical masters who have shaped these beautiful scripts and writing styles, while embracing the philosophy of Zen that inspire the way of life.
* * Prerequisite: This workshop is designed to accommodate adult beginners and intermediate level, who have completed our Introduction to Shodo: Japanese Calligraphy Workshop for First-time Beginners, or who have taken at least 3 of our workshops by Aoi Yamaguchi, or for those who have a beginner level of experience with Japanese calligraphy in Japan or by other calligraphy schools.
弥生の会
MARCH SESSIONS
SUNDAYS, MARCH 9 & 30, 2025
10:30AM – 12:00PM PST
at atelier towa
West Adams, Los angeles
$150