Shodō / 書道: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy

Tuesday, April 21st 1:00pm - 2:30pm
380 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

EVENT UPDATE: Due to the uncertainties presented by the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are making alternate arrangements for this event as a precautionary measure. The safety, security, and welfare of our guests, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. An email with more information will be sent to participants.

Cranbrook House Library
$35/person (Adults, Seniors, and Students)
Demonstration is limited to 45 Guests

Presented by Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research in collaboration with Shodo Expert Kyoko Fujii accompanied by Koto Musician Yuko Asano

Join Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research as we explore four traditional Japanese arts, celebrating the ongoing revitalization of the Cranbrook Japanese Garden—and the long connection between Frank Lloyd Wright and Japan.  

Shodō is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing of the Japanese language. Shodō expert Kyoko Fujii started learning the art of Japanese calligraphy at the age of six in her hometown of Hiroshima. While in college she earned the “master instructor,” or shihan license and the 5th level of 8 ranks (dan). She taught a variety of seminars on shodō basics, practical shodō, and creative shodō. She also has created many commercial designs, including company and product logos and brochure graphics. After moving to Michigan in 2009, she began to share the art of shodō in public presentations, working with traditional brushes and an easel, drawing Japanese characters, poems, and sumi-e (Japanese ink painting).

For her demonstration at Cranbrook, Fujii will draw inspiration from the four seasons and the flowers and trees in the Cranbrook Japanese Garden. She will be accompanied by the music of Yuko Asano, who will play a traditional Japanese koto. The instrument, often called a Japanese harp, is a long stringed instrument which is plucked and played as it rests on the floor.
 
For more information on Kyoko Fujii, please visit her website: kyoko-shodo.amebaownd.com/.

Yuko Asano playing a traditional Japanese stringed instrument, the koto

CRANBROOK JAPANESE GARDEN

For more information on the Cranbrook Japanese Garden, including the recent rehabilitation of the Lily Pond Cascade, please visit the Center for Collections and Research Japanese Garden website: center.cranbrook.edu/visit/japanese-garden.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Shodō (Japanese calligraphy) demonstration will take place in the Cranbrook House Library.  Designed by Albert Kahn for George and Ellen Booth to house their library and hold large gatherings for families and friends, the library is the perfect space for studying these traditional Japanese arts. Guests will be seated while the experts demonstrate their art.  Questions will be encouraged at the end of the demonstrations.

Cranbrook House is located at 380 Lone Pine Road, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, across from Christ Church Cranbrook. Free parking is available in the Cranbrook House parking lot, a five-minute walk from the house’s front door.

ADMISSION
$35/person (Adults, Seniors, and Students)

REGISTRATION
Advance registration is required as participation is limited.  Tickets are non-refundable (but may be transferred to another participant).  For more information, please contact Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research.  Our Administrative Assistant, Alissa Seelmann-Rutkofske, may be reached at 248.645.3307 or center@cranbrook.edu (Tuesday through Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm).

RELATED EVENTS

Wagashi / 和菓子: The Art of Japanese Sweets

Tuesday, March 3, 2020 | 10:00am – 12:00pm
Presented in collaboration with GEN-J: Grassroots Exchange Network Japan
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Ikebana / 生け花: The Art of Japanese Floral Arrangement

Tuesday, April 7, 2020 | 1:00pm – 2:30pm
Presented in collaboration with Ikebana International, Detroit Chapter 85, and organized by Lauren Paul, President, Detroit Chapter 85
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Chanoyu / 茶の湯: The Art of the Japanese Tea Ceremony

Saturday, May 2, 2020| 1:00pm, 2:30pm, and 4:00pm
Presented by Tea Master Tomoyo Koehler and the Local Omotesenke School of Chanoyu
Tea Ceremonies Conducted in the Frank Lloyd Wright Smith House
Each Tea Ceremony is limited to 20 Guests

Photo Credits
Banner (from left to right): Chou you no sekku Chrysanthemum Design of Nerikiri sweets by Toshiko Sugii Steffes. Photography from Toshiko Sugii Steffes Instagram; Basket Arrangement from Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85. Photography by Beverly Benson Wolf, BB Wolf Fine Art Photography, Copyright 2020 Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85; Kyoko Fujii during a Demonstration at the Detroit Institute of Arts, March 2019. Photography Courtesy of Kyoko Fujii; Tea bowl and Whisk with Chrysanthemum Blossom. Photography by Steph Carter licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0.

Kyoko Fujii During a Demonstration at the Detroit Institute of Arts, March 2019. Photography Courtesy of Kyoko Fujii. 

Yuko Asano Playing Koto. Photography Courtesy of Kyoko Fujii.