JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY WORKSHOP:
LOVE LETTERS FOR COUPLES
Celebrate Valentine’s Day weekend with calligraphy at Atelier Towa!
In the Heian period in Japan (794–1185 CE), aristocrats exchanged love letters and poetry written in calligraphy as acts of courtship. To express their love, the quality of the calligraphy, cleverness of the verses, and the quality of the paper were all considered, and the exchange could lead to a meeting after dark.
During this COUPLES-ONLY 2 hour workshop, you will be seated facing your partner on our tranquil tatami mat floor in the atelier. Each of you will practice writing a love-themed Kanji character selected by the instructor, while thinking about your partner. You will then create a love-infused calligraphy artwork on a special handmade washi shikishi board. We will also provide you with a greeting card with an artwork by Aoi Yamaguchi, for you to hand write a message to your partner. At the end of the session, you will exchange the artwork with your partner. It will be an unforgettable moment to see your partner's love infused in calligraphy.
Join us for a romantic, unique way to express love to your loved one!
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2025
1PM - 3PM
ATELIER TOWA
West Adams district, Los Angeles
Address will be provided upon RSVP below
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$210
per couple
Two seats will be reserved for a couple
This workshop is designed for a group of adult beginners.
All supplies will be provided for guests to use for the workshop.
No prior experience with Japanese calligraphy, nor knowledge of the language are necessary.
INSTRUCTOR
AOI YAMAGUCHI
Japanese Calligrapher
Born and raised in Hokkaido, Japan, Aoi Yamaguchi has been trained to master the basics of calligraphy by learning under the Master Zuiho Sato since at the age of 6, while refining her knowledge and skills. She is a recipient of numerous awards including the First Place prize from the Minister of Education at 44th Asahi Calligraphy Nationwide School Exhibit, and received the Title of Master of Student Calligrapher at the age of 14. Since landed in the U.S. in 2004, she has performed and exhibited her works in many galleries, museums, universities and festivals in the United States, Middle East, across Europe, and Japan. Her works show her exploration in juxtaposing the traditional Eastern classics and her contemporary artistic expressions, as well as her unique ambition of transforming two-dimensional art of Japanese Calligraphy into the art of physical expression through performances. Currently residing in Los Angeles, California, Yamaguchi continues her work on her conceptual calligraphy installations, exhibitions, and performances as she continues to push the boundaries of traditional Eastern classics and contemporary artistic expression.
Atelier Towa
Aoi Yamaguchi Calligraphy
アトリエ咏遠
Japanese calligraphy artist Aoi Yamaguchi established her studio “Atelier Towa” in 2014 in Berkeley, California, where she creates one-of-a-kind artworks, offers Japanese calligraphy workshops and calligraphy supplies curated by the artist herself. The studio is relocated to Los Angeles in 2020, and opened its door in West Adams district in December 2024.
咏遠 (towa) is a made-up word consisting of 咏 (to read a poem) and 遠 (faraway) , inspired by the existing word 永遠 (towa) for "eternity". The artist hopes that the studio to remain as a place where the beautiful poems are woven infinitely, and where we can share the beauty, depth, and joy of calligraphy art with people from around the world.
書家・山口碧生の制作工房である『アトリエ咏遠』。北海道生まれ、６歳で書道を学び、依嘱作家佐藤瑞鳳氏に師事。2014年に米国カリフォルニア州バークレー市にその扉を開けてから、自身の書道作品制作のみならず、多くの書道ワークショップを開催、指導している。2020年にロサンゼルス・ベニスビーチに拠点を移し、2024年、ウエスト・アダムス地区に新たなアトリエを構える。
「永遠」（とわ）の言葉を編み咏い続けるという想いを込めて名付けた『咏遠』。その想いと、書芸術の美しさ、奥深さ、愉しさを、世界中のより多くの人々と共有出来る場であるようにと願っている。