Japanese Calligraphy Workshops at the Grimaldi Forum Monaco

03/08/2010  Culture

Introduction to Calligraphy and demonstrations by Yoko Takenami, from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 August in the glass atrium at the Grimaldi Forum



Yoko Takenami began learning calligraphy at the age of seven, and furthered her knowledge of the craft to university level.

In 1990, she became a Master of Calligraphy (shihan), conferred by Zen-Sho-Gei, one of Japan's greatest calligraphy institutions and continued her training under Kakko Nishii and Shisen Bota.

In 2004, her book, "Calligraphie japonaise, simplicité et elegance" (Japanese Calligraphy, Simplicity and Elegance), was published by Cico Books and translated into French and German.  The paperback version in English became available in bookshops in 2009.

Today, Yoko Takenami holds workshops and gives demonstrations of Japanese calligraphy and also works as an independent interpreter for BBC World TV and Business World.

Shodo:  Japanese calligraphy was created in Japan with the introduction of Chinese characters around the time of the first century AD, with a major development at the time of the arrival of Buddhism in the 6th century.  Influenced by a mixture of Chinese and Japanese characters (hira-gana and kata-kana, developed from Chinese characters over the years), this creative art has the advantage of expressing beauty on both a visual and a spiritual level, as well as the ability to reflect its own cultural history.

Shodo, the "Way" of Japanese calligraphy is widely practiced and is still in favour in daily life in Japan.

Introduction and demonstrations:

Wednesday 4 August:  From 5 pm to 7 pm

Thursday 5 August:  Evening session from 4 pm to 10 pm 

Friday 6 and Saturday 7 August:  From 4 pm to 7 pm

Open to all, free of charge


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