Jewell House NYC: Japanese Calligraphy Workshop by TAISAN

Jewell House
46 E21st Street, 3FL New York, NY, 10010 UNITED STATES

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WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION INCLUDING LEARNING OBJECTIVES

✨ Learn the Traditional Art of Japanese Calligraphy ✨

Experience the beauty of Japanese calligraphy in a hands-on workshop led by Japanese artist TAISAN. Learn traditional brush techniques, create your own artwork, and take home a meaningful piece of Japanese culture.

Join Japanese artist TAISAN for an intimate introduction to traditional Japanese calligraphy (Shodō) and ink painting.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or simply curious about Japanese art and culture, this workshop offers a relaxing and creative experience where you’ll learn basic brush techniques and create your own artwork to take home.

What You’ll Learn

* Introduction to Japanese calligraphy

* Basic brush techniques

* How to write simple Japanese characters

* Create your own original calligraphy artwork

No experience is necessary.

Workshop Sessions

* Session 1: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

* Session 2: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Each session is limited to approximately 8 participants to ensure a personalized experience.

Workshop Fee

$35 per person

Includes:

* 60-minute guided workshop

* All calligraphy materials

* Traditional Japanese brushes and ink

* One completed artwork to take home

Schedule

60-Minute Workshop

* Introduction & materials

* Brush technique demonstration

* Guided calligraphy practice

* Create your final artwork

* Cleanup

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TAISAN TANAKA

Taisan is a contemporary Japanese calligrapher and Ink painter known for his dynamic live performances and modern reinterpretation of traditional brushwork. Based in New York City, Taisan has captivated audiences around the world with his bold visual language and heartfelt expression through ink.

He began his artistic career in Tokyo in 2000, and his work quickly gained recognition through numerous exhibitions at galleries and museums across Japan. His groundbreaking calligraphy style—mojiface (also known in Japan as Emoji, or “smiling characters”)—transforms Japanese characters into expressive visual art. Since launching his mojiface classes in 2009, more than 3,000 students have participated annually, with some going on to become certified instructors and ambassadors of the style.

In 2011, following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the Tohoku region, Taisan was invited by Japan’s Ministry of Defense to perform a live calligraphy piece in front of American and Japanese officials as a gesture of thanks to the U.S. military. The word he chose was “Gratitude”—a powerful expression of connection, humility, and shared humanity.

Taisan relocated to New York City in 2015, where he continues to create and perform internationally. His solo exhibitions and calligraphy performances have been featured in prominent cultural venues across Europe, including Frankfurt (Germany), Oviedo (Spain), and Stockholm (Sweden), among others.

At the heart of Taisan’s artistic mission is a deep desire to make Japanese calligraphy more accessible and joyful. By blending tradition with innovation, he invites people around the world to experience the beauty of writing—redefining calligraphy not as something intimidating or archaic, but as a vibrant, emotional, and deeply human form of expression.

Artist Profile:

https://www.taisanofficial.com/profile