Shodō Courses with Lanka
Japanese Calligraphy Lessons at JACCU
If you’re fascinated by the art and history of Japanese calligraphy, look no further! Join Lanka Abe’s Shodo Courses at JACCU, and embark on a journey of artistic expression through the captivating practice of Japanese calligraphy.
Contact Lanka to sign up for the course!
Shodō Courses in Utrecht
Lanka’s Shodō courses are designed to teach you the efficient drawing of characters, enabling you to express your unique artistry. The course begins with foundational aspects, covering knowledge of Japanese calligraphy tools, their proper usage, posture, and attitude. Suitable for beginners with no prior experience or knowledge of the Japanese language, Lanka introduces basic brushstrokes.
Moreover, participants learn to draw characters using seasonal terms from the Japanese calendar, along with a variety of seasonal greetings. These lessons incorporate meditative methods, fostering inner peace while enjoying the beauty of each season.
What is Shodō?
Japanese calligraphy comes in two forms: Shodō (書道) and Shūji (習字). While Shūji emphasises neat handwriting and balanced composition, Shodō is an expressive and artistic form. The kanji character for Sho (書) translates to the verb ‘to write,’ and Dō (道) means ‘the path’ or ‘the way’. Therefore, the meaning of Shodō is ‘the way of writing’. Originating in China during the Tang Dynasty, this calligraphy practice was brought to Japan during the Asuka Period (A.D. 552–645).
Evolved from an educational practice for nobility, Shodō has become an admired art form with various writing styles, including Kaisho (square), Gyosho (semi-cursive), and Sosho (cursive). The choice of paper, with ‘hanshi‘ being the most common, adds another layer to the art.
Course Information
Course Details
The course runs on the first and third Thursday of every month. Classes open when there are a minimum of 3 participants. You can contact the teacher to sign up for our shodo courses anytime.
Time: 18:30 – 20:00
Language: English or Japanese
Location: Van Starkenborghhof 62, 3527HB UTRECHT
Course Capacity: 3-6 people
Monthly €79 (incl. 21% BTW)
(2 lessons of 90 min)
Bi-monthly €149 (incl. 21% BTW)
(4 lessons of 90 min)
Course Programme
2024 Dates:
January 4 & 18
February 1 & 15
March 7 & 21
April 4 & 18
May 2 & 16
June 6 & 20
July 4 & 18
August 1 & 15
September 5 & 19
October 3 & 17
November 7 & 21
December 5 & 19
Disclaimer
- All necessary tools are provided by the teacher.
- If you are a beginner, please specify when you sign up. An introductory lesson will be provided for inexperienced coursiers.
- You must complete the payment before the first Monday of the month you want to take the course. In case you start in the middle of the month, then you must complete the payment before the third Monday of the month.
Contact Lanka to sign up for the course!
Lanka Calligraphy
Lanka Abe, a professional Japanese calligrapher based in Den Haag, brings a wealth of experience to her lessons and workshops. She has been giving workshops all around the Netherlands, as well as dynamic performances for many years.
Born in Hokkaido, the northernmost region of Japan, Lanka holds a master’s level in Shodō and continues to refine her artistry. She studied Shūji from 7 to 13 years old. In 2012, she started to study Shodō at the Japanese Calligraphy Institute. After two years, she obtained the master’s level, and then she continued to a postgraduate course for 4 more years. During her studies at the institute, Lanka’s works have previously been shown at public exhibitions. As well, she previously won awards for her projects in Japanese calligraphy.
Since moving to the Netherlands in 2018, Lanka has showcased her works at public exhibitions, festivals and private events. In February 2022, she was invited by JACCU to give a Shodō workshop and a live performance during the Manga and Japanese culture week in Bibliotheek Utrecht. The calligraphy works that emerged as a result of the performance were exhibited on the 2nd floor of the Neude library, on the exhibition wall.
Lanka continues on cultivating her artistic practice, while accepting commissioned works in Japanese calligraphy. Explore the world of Shodō with Lanka’s peaceful and inspiring lessons at JACCU.
Contact Lanka to sign up for the course!
“Lanka believes that everyone has their own aesthetics, which should be diverse and not compared to others. Through her lesson, she introduces and encourages you to explore your own aesthetics in forms and manners. The goal of the lesson is not only learning how to draw characters beautifully but also enjoying the journey to find your own way of expression. You can also apply her lesson to your meditative approach or to create inner peace.”
