Calligraphy Class 1 taught by Misato Sakai
This class is a fundraiser for TMC
Date: November 28, 2025
Time: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
The class will meet in the TMC dining room and the class will also be live-streamed. A zoom link will be provided after you RSVP for the Zoom option.
Five seats in-person are available at this time.
Reserve/Register for your in-person seat here.
A zoom link will be provided after you RSVP.
Donate in person with cash, check, or on TMC’s square app or donate online here on TMC’s website
The origin of calligraphy is pictograph in the shell-and-bone script in the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 B.C.E.) in China. Since then, mainly six types of writing were developed in China. Chinese letters were brought to Japan by Korean Confucianists in the late fourth century, and then through introduction of Buddhism by Japanese envoys to the Sui Dynasty (600−614 B.E.) and the Tang Dynasty (630−894 B.E.). Currently, five main different styles of letters are used in Japanese calligraphy.
Calligraphy is a form of meditation with a brush. Spinal alignment, breathing, and concentrations are the three key components in the art. In this class, we will start with a short silent meditation with Swami Radha. Then, we will learn how to make liquid ink from charcoal, how to hold a brush, and how to write dots and lines in coordination with breathing. We will practice one or two letters in 楷書 (kaisyo), a printed style writing towards the end of the class.
No experience is needed for this class. If you have a calligraphy set, please bring it. We also have supplies including paper and sumi ink for those who have no set. We hope you enjoy this meditative art class.
Misato Sakai started calligraphy at age six in Japan. Since then, she has been appreciating the meditative aspect of calligraphy. Having been studying environmental science (B.Sc.), environmental management (M.Sc.), and human resource education (Ph.D.), she sees calligraphy and tea ceremony in connection with nature, both of which continuously provide discoveries and learning opportunities.
The following items at Dick Blick look good for those who would like to have their own set.
View here the “Dick Blick” list.
I do have six sets to give away for those who do not have a set.
If they are planning to come in person on November 28th, and would like a set, they can notify me prior to the class so that they will have their set.
Download here a list of online calligraphy supply sources.
* Those who are planning to attend the class online and have no calligraphy set, please contact Misato at misatos37@gmail.com.
