Introduction to Japanese Calligraphy

Celebrate the wonderful festival of Sakura – Spring is the season of new beginnings. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again! Why not try something new? the Cherry blossoms that bloom in spring – and learn the beautiful art of Japanese calligraphy. You will enjoy the peace and calm of this workshop while creating brush characters about spring and this lovely season.

You will be shown the basic principles of writing Japanese characters using the traditional Japanese materials of a brush, ink and Japanese paper. You will be guided how to create your first brush strokes and how to build on these basic steps to create some lovely Japanese characters while learning about the Japanese festival of Sakura – Cherry Blossoms in spring!

Everybody is welcome. No calligraphy experience or Japanese language skills are necessary. All supplies are included, so no need to bring anything. Just bring yourself and curiosity!

About Eisai – 

Eisai is a professional Japanese calligraphy artist, based in Surrey, England, with over 20 years’ experience.

Born and raised in Osaka, Japan, Eisai began the study of shodo, otherwise known as Japanese calligraphy, at the age of seven. Eisai was trained in the Seikyu Shodo kai (青邱書道会) calligraphy society by her master, Seikyu Yamashita, also the President of the Japanese Calligraphy Education Society. After ten years of practice in the society, Eiko Ishida was given her professional calligraphy name, Eisai (英彩). Since then, she has been working on building her own original style in her calligraphy pieces.
Eisai has had her calligraphy displayed at many exhibitions and events in Japan and the UK, and frequently works on commissioned pieces and teaching Japanese calligraphy. Since moving to the UK, she has worked regularly with the London-based Japan Society and Surrey Adult Learning Centres, and has taught workshops at Kew Gardens, London Japan Centres and many schools in Surrey and Hampshire. Eisai also holds workshops and classes for both groups and individuals in her own home in Surrey.

In her workshops, Eisai focuses not only on teaching technique but using the process of learning Japanese calligraphy as a meditative way to discover inner peace and tranquility. Only then can the artist produce beautiful brush strokes and master shodo.