Japan Culture Series: Think Ink 8!

The eighth instalment of the Japanese calligraphy event, Think Ink, was held on March 18th- two years after the seventh instalment. It was truly a night to be held, as beginner Japanese language learners, senior Japanese language learners, and even students from Japan themselves intermingled and passed the time catching up and making new friends, all the while learning more about the country whose language, they have decided to dedicate themselves in.

Professor Akiko Sharp started the event by talking about the various forms of Japanese calligraphy and their many applications. From tensho to gyosho, and so much more, the students were transfixed on the calligraphy forms and were eager to get started. The calligrapher, Mami Humphreys, taught the students how to properly handle the calligraphy brush, after which she wrote the characters for ‘peace’ - 平和 - in the different styles of calligraphy that were shown in the presentation. 

After, the students armed with the knowledge went to work on writing the characters. Instructor Mami provided support for the students and several students from Japan shared tips from their own experience learning back home. The students were given practise sheets as well as sheets for their ‘final’ work of calligraphy- their masterpiece. 

By the end of the event, many students - even new Japanese learners - were able to write the characters with more confidence. There were many thanks given out that night, and many more were hopeful to return to a norm where Japanese learners at the university could partake in events such as these by the Japanese Language Program. The final part of the event saw the students taking home their masterpieces, with some even taking their practice sheets home. Thank you to instructor Mami for sharing her passion and knowledge of Japanese calligraphy with us.