Learning the art of KANA Calligraphy

Inspired by a love letter from the Heian period (on view in the Exhibit Hall until 10/26/2025), this workshop invites participants to explore the refined art of kana calligraphy.

Participants will learn to write kana characters and experience the rhythm and grace of haiku. This workshop offers a hands-on journey into poetic sensibility, aesthetic awareness, and cultural expression.

Kana are characters created in Japan. They originated from Chinese characters (kanji) and are used to represent the sounds of the Japanese language. There are two types including hiragana and katakana, both essential for writing in Japanese. Hiragana, in particular, is characterized by its flowing shapes and has developed in Japanese calligraphy as a script that conveys elegance and beauty.

*Materials are provided 

Harumi Befu Osawa

Harumi holds dual certifications, Okuden from the Kenroku school and Shihan from the Nihon Shodo Kenkyu Kai (Shoken), authorizing her to establish her own branch.

Harumi began studying shodo at the age of five at her family’s school, Kenroku. By high school, she was already an assistant teacher, focusing on writing techniques based on major classical scripts. She later founded the California branch of Kashu and currently teaches seminars at Japanese schools and college Japanese clubs. Harumi has 15 years of teaching experience in San Diego and over 40 years of total experience teaching and introducing shodo.