Class Overview
In this class, students learn to write a Japanese character, and then they create their own T-shirt displaying that character in their own writing.
Japanese characters are ideograms which represent a whole concept or idea. This class teaches students how to write a Japanese character, exposing them to a whole new way of expressing themselves. Students identify a character they would like to learn, we teach them how to write it, and in the end they use fabric ink to illustrate it on a T-shirt. You can also learn how to write your name (or friend’s name) in Japanese and add it to your T-shirt. Each student leaves with a memorable, one-of-a-kind keepsake.
This class draws together many different elements. It combines language and calligraphy, but it’s also artistic and expressive. It gives students the opportunity to ask themselves the philosophical question: “Which word do I want to use to express myself?” This class is a place for students to explore their philosophical and artistic minds through Japanese language and calligraphy.
Gallery
About The Instructor
Ayakoh Furukawa
Visual Artist
Ayakoh Furukawa (a.k.a Ayakoh Furukawa-Leonart) is a visual artist with a unique background who has mastered Japanese calligraphy and western painting. She studied with Buddhist calligrapher Sougyu Kashimoto in Osaka, Japan. Currently, she is a member of the Metro New York Sumi-e Society. Besides the RESOBOX Sumi-e class, she had numerous teaching experiences at educational and cultural institutions such as Lyceum Kennedy Japanese School and the Japan Society Summer program. She also taught Sumi-e at numerous events to help in the public in the understanding of Japanese culture. She moved to New York in 2000 and studied Asian Art History at Hunter College, the City University of New York where she received the Master of Fine Art of Studio Art. Her paintings and drawings have been exhibited internationally at numerous established art institutions. Her deep knowledge of both Western and Asian Arts offers an enjoyable experience of Japanese art of Sumi-e.
