Japanese Zen Tea Calligraphy
Shodō Meets Tea: A Calligraphy Art Experience
Shodō—Japanese calligraphy—uses a traditional brush to write characters on paper, conveying feeling through the form of each stroke. Committing an unsketched character to a single sheet calls for focus and quiet attention, and is often viewed as a practice that turns the mind inward.
In this program, shodō meets tea to create calligraphy art. The natural fibers of tea leaves bring texture and expression to your strokes, so even first-timers can complete a striking piece. Breathe in the aroma of freshly brewed tea, feel the leaf and the brush in your hand, and learn the fundamentals—how to hold the brush, and the classic hane, harai, and tome. Enjoy tea in a way you’ve never experienced before.
Key Points of the Experience
- Feel like a rising contemporary artist—create refined art with tea. This unique calligraphy-art experience blends tea and shodō in a way you’ll only find here. You’ll write one kanji on a mounted shikishi board, and the tea leaves add texture and nuance that elevate it into a striking, gallery-ready piece. Perfect to display at home or to gift as a memorable souvenir.
- Learn the foundations of shodō with guidance from a calligraphy artist. You’ll be shown how to hold the brush, draw steady lines, and practice essential strokes such as hane (up-flick) and harai (sweeping finish). Then choose a kanji you love and render it in the style you prefer—clean and balanced, playful and cute, or bold and free.
- Be soothed by the aroma of tea. Before creating, you’ll savor a cup of freshly brewed tea—the fragrance of the leaves is known for its relaxing, stress-softening effect. As you work, the scent accompanies your strokes, and when your piece dries, a subtle tea aroma lingers so you can revisit the calm even after you take your artwork home.
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LOCATION
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WHEN
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DURATION
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GROUP OF PEOPLE
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| Suehirocho, Tokyo | Mon 10:00–15:30 or Wed–Fri 13:30–15:30 | Approximately 90 min | Up to 5 participants |
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About the Experience
Age: 12 and older
Duration: 90 mins
Fee: 130 USD per person
Location: Suehirocho, Tokyo
Approximate Schedule
Tea intro video – 5 min
Tea tasting – 20 min
Calligraphy intro video – 5 min
Practice – 30 min: brush handling and basic strokes; choose your character and rehearse with a water brush
Final piece – 20 min: apply paste (nori) to the brush and write on a shikishi art board; finishing touches
Experience Features
In shodō, your inner state travels through the brush onto the paper—the kanji you choose and the trace of each stroke invite quiet self-reflection. Tea leaves lend expression to the character, so the final look reveals itself as it dries—often better than you imagined. You’re free to take your work home; the subtle tea aroma—and tea’s natural antibacterial qualities—remain, making it a soothing accent for your space or a thoughtful gift.
AGENDA
Please arrive 10 minutes before the start. Take your seat and we’ll begin right away.
The instructor explains the shodō flow—quietly tracing with the brush tip or letting the stroke run bold and free—so you can “listen” to the brush like a conversation.
Once the feel settles in, try writing a kanji. Start by practicing lines and hane with a water-dipped brush.
Repeat a few rounds. When you’re ready, take a deep breath and commit to the final character on the mounting board—and your piece is complete.
Included
- All necessary art materials are provided—ink, brush, paper, etc. Just bring yourself.
Not Included
- Participants’ food and drink
- Transportation to/from the venue
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cancellation and Refund
Free cancellation up to 3 days before the experience.
No refunds for cancellations made within 3 days of the experience date.
If the experience is canceled by the organizer, or if severe weather/disasters make
Late Arrival
If you arrive more than 15 minutes past your reserved start time without prior notice, your booking may be treated as a no-show and the experience may be canceled
MEETING POINT & HOW TO ACCESS
Meeting Point : 4F Wa no Oto Koryukan
Wa no Oto Koryukan 4F, 5-4-1 Ueno, Taito City, Tokyo, Japan
How to Access
Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
Suehirocho Station — 5 min walk from Exit A2
JR
JR Okachimachi Station — 6 min walk from the South Exit
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line
Okachimachi Station — 4 min walk from Exit 2
