Looking back to the beginning of 2016, we revisit a heartwarming community event held to celebrate the Japanese New Year. The Art of the First Brushstroke We hosted a special “Kakizome” (First Calligraphy of the Year) workshop at the Kawagoe Housing Stage, a comprehensive housing exhibition center in Chosho Yabe’s hometown. Kakizome is a traditional Japanese event held on January … Read more
Looking back at the very beginning of 2018. On January 1st, New Year’s Day, I performed at the “First Sunrise Premium Event” held at the Sunshine 60 Observatory (Sky Circus) in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. A Sacred Start at 4:00 AM For a calligrapher, Kakizome (the first writing of the year) is a deeply sacred ritual. I entered the observatory at 4:00 … Read more
Looking back to January 18, 2015, we revisit a lively New Year’s event that brought the community together through the traditional art of calligraphy. Celebrating the New Year with Ink At the Kawagoe Housing Stage, a hub for lifestyle and family, we hosted two sessions (morning and afternoon) of a special “Kakizome” (First Calligraphy of the Year) workshop. Both sessions … Read more
Looking back at the festive start of 2015. To celebrate the New Year, I held a series of “New Year’s Calligraphy Performances & Kakizome Workshops” at major shopping malls in the Tokai region. Celebrating with Auspicious Calligraphy I visited two venues to share the spirit of the Japanese New Year: Jan 2: AEON Mall Meiwa (Mie Prefecture) Jan 3: AEON … Read more
Looking back at a New Year’s event in 2014. On January 5th, I held a calligraphy performance and a New Year’s “Kakizome” workshop at AEON Mall Atsuta in Nagoya. Three Panels of Hope On the central event stage, I created three distinct artworks on large panels, each carrying a wish for the new year. 「夢」 (Yume – Dream) & 「愛」 … Read more