A Brush with Tradition: Calligraphy Workshops for Tokyo Tourists

Calligraphy study has its ups and downs.

The teacher uses geometric shapes to highlight the ideal balance of the kanji: a triangle for 左 (hidari, meaning “left”) and a diamond for 右 (migi, “right”). Additional lines and small circles are guides to appropriate stroke placement and empty spaces.

The class booklet has many kanji suggestions.

Miyazaki gives guidance on improvement using colorful ink that stands out against the black of students’ writing.

Miyazaki stands in front of his own work 著 (cho, ichijirushii), meaning “remarkable,” written in the reisho style.