Private Japanese Calligraphy Lesson - Suitable For All Levels

Experience another side of Japan and take a break from the hustle & bustle of your Tokyo tours.

Lose yourself in the brush, the paper and your creative spirit as you get instructed by an award-winning shodo master; Kaneko Youshun.

As an experienced shodo-ka and teacher, she is comfortable teaching & accommodating all levels:

Complete Beginners (Never Before)
Dabblers (~10 hours)
Intermediate (20+ hours)

You will not only be able to observe a master of her craft deliberately go through the motions for each discipline, you will get in-person training and challenge yourself in the traditional Japanese artforms of Shodo and Sado (Tea Ceremony.)

Your Sensei : Kaneko Youshun

My name is Kaneko Youshun and I am an experienced Shodo-ka. I started learning Japanese calligraphy as a young child and never looked back. I have participated, and won, several calligraphy competitions and awards.

But in recent years, I realized that I enjoy teaching the arts of Shodo and Sado to foreign students, and keeping these Japanese traditions alive, more than winning or competing.

I am looking forward to having you as a student.
Let`s do our best together!:)

Previous Students Say:

Japanese Calligraphy Introduction (1 Hour) Strokes & Single Character

The course starts with greetings from the teacher, and learning a bit about the history of Japanese calligraphy, and getting introduced to each of the tools while drinking Japanese green tea.

Then Kaneko will thoroughly introduce each tool of her trade, and show you how to create ink using an ink-stone.

Then she will demonstrate how to draw the character chosen for today`s session, (requests are welcome) and help each of the students participate.

After getting taught the technique, and patterns, required to draw a perfect character, you create your own souvenir, through drawing the character on canvas.

You can choose your favorite kanji (like 「龍」 `ryu` Dragon 「桜」 `sakura` Cherry Blossom「空」 `sora` Sky）or let the teacher choose.

The final result might end up looking something like pictured above, (or even better, with some dedication)

Break & Tea Ceremony

Then, it`s time to relax and enjoy a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

First you will learn the manners, a little bit about how the tea is made, and then you will learn how to brew tea.

Then the teacher will show you how to drink the tea, how to pass it along, posture, etc.

You`ll be surprised how time slows down when every movement is careful and deliberate, done with full concentration.

Intermediate Part – Based On Skill Level

If you are a complete beginner, you will continue through Kaneko`s program that is tailor-made to help you progress quickly, and produce multi-character murals you can use to decorate the walls of your home. (If you are thoughtful about character choice, they also make great presents.)

If you are intermediate, Kaneko will work with you to progress to the next level.

Inching ever so slightly closer to the perfection that Shodo demands, but never can get.

Location

Our school is located in Arakawa-ku, near Akado-shougakkou station. It is located only about 10 minutes by train from Nippori station, the first stop with the Narita Skyliner. It is only about 15 minutes by train from Ueno, 20 minutes from Akihabara, which makes it a convenient stop for tourists in the area.

Price and Availability

Price for the full course: ~~￥6,000~~ For our special 2020 New Year’s promotion, you can enjoy the full course for only ￥5,000/person. (Group discounts available for groups of 4 or more people.)

Tea, your Souvenirs and all Necessary Tools are included in the price.

Shodo Classes are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, with at least 24 hours notice. (It`s also possible to arrange private lessons.)