Calligraphy Workshop 202506

Calligraphy Workshop by Calligrapher RIHAKU

Explore the meditative practice of Japanese calligraphy

Friday, June 6, 5:30 pm - 7 pm

at Setsugekka East Village

Please join us to enjoy calligraphy! We look forward to seeing you.

Experience the Art of Japanese Calligraphy with Master Rihaku

It is customary for Zen calligraphy to be hung in the alcove during the Japanese tea ceremony. As our regular calligraphy class, we welcome calligrapher Rihaku.

Join Japanese calligraphy master Rihaku as we explore the gentle beauty of early summer through the graceful art of hiragana—Japan’s uniquely flowing script.

In this special workshop, you’ll learn to write the seasonal phrase:

「あおばのきせつ　しょかの香」 (Aoba-no-kisetsu, Shoka-no-Kaori)

which translates to:

"The refreshing season of fresh green leaves has arrived—it's that beautiful time of early summer when you can feel its gentle fragrance in the air."

Guided by Master Rihaku, each participant will create a personal calligraphy piece on a traditional tanzaku strip, then design a custom backing to complement their work. You’ll take home not just a beautiful artwork, but a peaceful memory of mindful creation.

The flowing nature of hiragana makes the practice of writing both calming and meditative—a quiet retreat from the busy pace of daily life.

We look forward to welcoming you and sharing this meaningful moment of art, language, and seasonal beauty together.

Artist's Profile

Rihaku Inoue

井上理白

Japanese Calligrapher

Rihaku Inoue is a contemporary calligraphy artist working between New York and Japan.

She is a consultant for the Japan Calligraphy Museum and a professor of Japan Calligraphy Education Federation.

Her work reimagines the traditions of Japanese calligraphy by blending classical ink brush techniques with modern elements such as acrylic paint, projection mapping, and VR—creating a bold and immersive style known as “3D Calligraphy.”

Her pieces go beyond the flat surface, transforming space with flowing strokes and expressive movement.

Rihaku has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants, art galleries, and cultural institutions throughout New York and beyond. Her international presence began with her first solo exhibition in New York in 2014, followed by dual solo exhibitions in 2016 at both the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) at the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. and a prominent gallery in New York City.　In 2023, she was relocated to New York to expand her international activities.

In the fall of 2023, Rihaku celebrated the 10th anniversary of her artistic activities in New York with a commemorative solo exhibition, marking a significant milestone in her creative journey.

That same year, she relocated to New York to further expand her global reach. Among her most significant achievements is a calligraphy dedication performance at the National Treasure Tōdai-ji Temple—an iconic fusion of sacred tradition and contemporary expression.

Now based between New York and Nishinomiya, Rihaku is committed to sharing her unique talent and distinguished reputation as one of Japan’s leading calligraphers with audiences worldwide. Whether or not viewers understand Japanese characters, her contemporary calligraphy aims to transcend language, stir the senses, and speak directly to the soul—without borders.

Through her calligraphy art, she expresses emotion, transforms environments, and enriches lives—continuing to share the profound beauty and power of calligraphy with the world.

Website: https://i-rihaku.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rierihaku/

Email: rierihaku1964@gmail.com