Learn Japanese calligraphy with Chikako in Japan.
  • Kyoto, Japan
  • 16 hours over 4 days

Japanese Calligraphy with Chikako

On the ancient streets of Kyoto, learn the traditional art of calligraphy with a master of the craft. Learn the tools, techniques, and significance of calligraphy, and create your own hand drawn works. Spend time with Chikako’s students to get an even more immersive feel for local lifestyle.
  • Snacks, Coffee, & Tea

Pricing

One Guest
USD $700
Additional guest(s) (max 6)
USD $360
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Practice brush techniques and line movements in calligraphy.Impeccable body posture is integral in the practice of calligraphy.Learn about calligraphy tools, brushes, and inks.Learn about katakana and kanji, the adopted Chinese characters in Japanese writing.

Meet the Artist

Chikako sensei, known by her artist name Kasho, was born into a family of calligraphers. She started training early and developed her own style that is delicate, bold and playful. She spent a year in Michigan teaching calligraphy and currently teaches calligraphy to students in various studios across Kyoto. Every year, she contributes her work to more than 10 calligraphy exhibitions across the country and serves as a judge for various calligraphy competitions in Japan. Her home studio is located in western part of Kyoto, close to mountains and thick Arashiyama Bamboo Groves. A bit shy, her dimpled warm smile can open a lot of hearts.

VAWAA Includes:

  • Understanding history of kanji characters and how it ties into the Japanese culture.
  • Learning about different calligraphy tools, brushes and inks.
  • Maintaining body posture.
  • Learning different brush techniques and line movements.
  • Practicing calligraphy with Chikako’s students in different studios.
  • Visiting calligraphy exhibition.
  • Trying calligraphy performance art depending on skill level.
  • Materials and your hand drawn calligraphy artworks.

Explore Kyoto

From Kinkaku-ji, the golden temple, to the secret moss garden of Saiho-Ji, history and tradition lie in wait around every corner of Kyoto. Experience bustling food markets and hole-in-the-wall ramen joints, meditate in serene bamboo forests, and wander through traditional buildings and teahouses in the historic Higashiyama district. At once serene and vibrant, there are canals with weeping willows and shops brimming with Japanese teas, spices, and crafts.
Contact for more info
Chikako's Availability 4 days
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Guest Reviews

18

  • Kai G., Mexico

    Chikako is an amazing teacher and person. I was very luck to be her student. Her class is authentic experience and you learn so much on little time.

  • Francois M., United Kingdom

    I had a wonderful time studying calligraphy in Tokyo with Chikako. She is an amazing teacher, has so much experience and really shows you step by step what to do to improve. The class was really tailor made and we learned some words that were really related to my personal interests. It was also a fantastic way to learn more about Japanese culture, history and arts. I very strongly recommend this u Read more

  • Harumi U., Netherlands

    Learning Japanese calligraphy from Chikako was an incredible experience for me. It's something I've longed to do, but finding the right time, place, and teacher proved elusive until now. Finally committing to it in Kyoto with Chikako wasn't just about acquiring a skill; it was a journey of self-discovery, cultural connection, and personal enrichment.

    Chikako's approachability and kindness made     Read more

  • Christine S., United States

    I had a wonderful time learning about shodō with Chikako. She is a great teacher, with tremendous patience and a sense of humor. Outside of class, having lunch together at the neighborhood cafe, and visiting the nearby shrine deepened my experience. Would love to take the class again!

  • Alessia S., Australia

    Had the most wonderful experience learning from Chikako. I feel like I learnt a lot in such a short amount of time but did not at all feel rushed during our one-on-one lessons. As I was new to calligraphy, I found it to be incredibly meditative and a beautiful artform.

  • Katherine C., United States

    Chikako & this VAWAA experience were just wonderful! I really enjoyed this special opportunity to learn calligraphy and spend time with her in her studio. She's very sweet but also a very good teacher — she is organized and professional, and she is great at explaining things clearly & showing examples of exactly what to do. I was a total beginner, but I made work I'm really proud of with her help. Read more

  • Sibylle M., Switzerland

    The experience of attending Chikako’s calligraphy classes for for days was very interesting. I could not have asked for a better artist and teacher, to make first steps in calligraphy. Her explanations helped me to involve the whole body.

    She had a lot of patience and gave me a lot of time with my exercises. She also showed me a huge brush with which she will soon write. I could ask her anythi     Read more

  • Jerry V., United States

    Chikako, My gratitude for your generous and warm welcome. Your patience with my novice experience was so appreciated. This is a wonderful personalized experience for anyone looking to joyously engage in a new experience in Kyoto.

    I especially appreciated the flexibility provided in schedule and location changes due the unexpected snow and ice during my four day class. For anyone looking to en     Read more

  • Felissa R., United States

    Our time learning Japanese calligraphy with Chikako was incredibly special and memorable. Chikako is a wonderful teacher; she is warm, supportive, inquisitive, and enthusiastic. We loved getting to spend time with her and learning about both the art of calligraphy and her life. We found learning Japanese calligraphy to be challenging in a deeply rewarding way — the act of slowing down, making the Read more

  • Andrea R., Italy

    Chikako is an amazing teacher and her hospitality goes beyond what I expected.. the course was fun, interesting, educating and challenging at the same time.

  • Lina F., United States

    Studying the delicate and patient movement of calligraphy with Chikako was a very special and meditative adventure. Chikako was a master of her skill and a great teacher. I would have loved to spend another week immersing even further into this craft.

  • Srujana A., United States

    Great teachers are often remembered (first and foremost) for not what they taught, but how well they taught. We will always remember Chikako-san for her patience, encouragement, kindness, and comforting teaching style. Calligraphy was the main ingredient, but what truly made this VAWAA an experience of a lifetime was having a great sensei. The transference of (some of) her immense knowledge and ma Read more

  • Emmanuelle L., France

    My four days with Chikako and her family was an memorable experience that I highly recommend to everyone who wants to live an exiting, open-minded and unique experience in Japan and learn more about the Japanese culture.

    During her class, you are going to learn:
    - the principles of Japanese calligraphy
    - practice some useful exercises
    - some immersions in Chikako's daily life: attending extr     Read more

  • Sarika P., India

    I had a fabulous 4 days with Chikako and her mother. Chikako was warm and a wonderful teacher. Over the four days, I was with her, I learnt about the different character formations of the Japanese script, the art of making Sumi (or ink) and more importantly, the philosophy of Japanese calligraphy which helped me to see Kyoto with new eyes. Chikao and her mother made me feel completely at home - bo Read more

  • Kate Tram N., Australia

    I want to thank you for arranging such an incredible experience with Chikako. She's so kind and knowledgeable. I have learned and been loving calligraphy so much. Chikako also took me to local places for lunches, sweets, souvenirs... It's not only calligraphy that I learned, it's also about the people, the food, the culture I've seen by meeting Chikako thank to your program. I wish you keep your s Read more

  • Katie G., Hong Kong

    I am a watercolour artist. And with watercolour one needs to have intention and purpose and really commit to every brushstroke. I felt that there must be similarities with calligraphy and I wanted to learn more about this from the perspective of a calligraphy artist. My favourite day was when I joined a lesson and practised with Chikako students, some of whom had been practising with her for 20 ye Read more

  • Anuja J., United States

    Being in the artist's studio was good and took the experience to a more personal level. She was very personal and warm which was encouraging.

  • Gaurabh M., United States

    Gave a good overview of the art in the time she had. Was good at providing the right amount of hand-holding and guidance

    • See all 18 reviews