Japanese Calligraphy: Cold

This is a series of workshops designed by Azumi Uchitani to explore Japanese culture through the art of calligraphy and language. We will meet bi-weekly, slowly moving from season to season and uncovering new characters, rituals, concepts and beliefs deeply rooted in Japanese lifestyle. Each event we will centre around a new symbol: we will learn its meaning, discuss a poem about it, meditate and experience the power of the concept through calligraphy practice.

Cold: 寒 (kan/samui)

Changing seasons are very valued in Japanese culture and icy cold weather has its significance as well. Winter in Japan is between December and February and usually is associated with low temperatures, especially in mountains. However, cold is not seen as something to hide away from. Following Shinto traditions of purification, cold offers an opportunity to purify body and spirit and to train the character. Many Japanese houses also lack central heating and the idea of warming yourself (with a tea and hotpot, multiple layers of kimono, onsen baths and kotatsu tables) instead of heating up the house is widely popular.

Join Azumi Uchitani for a cosy winter session and experience the beauty of calligraphy and meditation.

GUIDE – AZUMI UCHITANI
Azumi Uchitani is an Intercultural business consultant, keynote speaker, writer, artist and founder of Japanese SALON art & culture, based in the Netherlands. She is a two-times TEDx speaker, appearing Dutch TV and media and delivering talks to an international audience in Europe and in the US. Azumi is on a mission to build an essential bridge between Japan and Europe, helping global leaders discover Japanese ancient wisdom beyond culture, teaching how to apply its wisdom in everyday life, act with inner peace and create conscious leadership and fulfilling life. Azumi decodes the complexity of Japanese culture, tradition, philosophy, spirituality and unspoken rules into a simple essence of wisdom. She was born into a traditional spiritual Japanese family and raised with the teachings of Shingon Buddhism and Shinto. The spiritual and cultural practices, such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, calligraphy have always been a part of her life, besides that, her grandmother was a kimono maker. Her insights, a series of talks are available on her YouTube channel ‘5 minutes on Japanese Wisdom’ on YouTube.

http://www.azumiuchitani.com