Junko holds Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) and painting (Sumi-e) workshops around Melbourne at galleries, schools, organisations and cultural events. She also holds online lessons for people who are not able to attend an onsite workshop and also private lessons. Junko can work with you to create a program to meet your needs from 45 mins to whole day introductory experience workshops.
In the workshop, you will prepare your own ink then learn to make and use different Sumi ink tones and brush techniques to create traditional Japanese calligraphy (Shodo) or ink painting (Sumi-e) on rice paper.
With Sumi-e, you will learn to feel and capture the meaning of objects from nature with your interpretation then you will express the objects variously with brush pressure, rhythm, tones and confidence in your strokes. You'll not only learn brush stroke techniques but also experience the whole process and understand yourself through your work.
With Shodo, you will learn various brush techniques, calligraphy styles, stroke order and balance of Japanese characters as well as the history of calligraphy and the meaning of Japanese characters so you don't need to know any Japanese to begin.
Upcoming workshops
@ Japaneasy (70mins Japanese ink art workshop)
Address: L1, 152 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC
Let's experience Sumi-e and create a unique piece of art to take home. Sumi-e is the ancient art of Japanese brush painting. Traditionally, paintings feature subjects from nature, such as flowers and birds.
There is much more to creating an image during the process of Japanese ink painting; it is also meditative practice.
You will learn to use different ink tones and brush techniques to create some simple and expressive paintings on Japanese Washi paper such as cherry blossoms, an owl, bamboos and chrysanthemums. The materials will be provided and all ages are welcome!
11 Dec 2022 Sun 11am - 12:10pm Cherry blossom - sold out
11 Dec 2022 Sun 12:30pm - 1:40pm Bamboo - sold out
11 Dec 2022 Sun 2pm - 3:10pm Chrysanthemum - sold out
11 Dec 2022 Sun 3:30pm - 4:40pm Owl - sold out
@ Mystic River (2 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: Southgate Shopping Centre (Level 1), 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, VIC
4 Dec 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm fully booked
12 Mar 2023 Sunday 10am - 12pm Mountains and trees - fully booked
18 Jun 2023 Sunday 10am - 12pm Owl - fully booked
10 Sep 2023 Sunday 10am - 12pm Cherry blossoms
details and booking:
https://www.trybooking.com/BXRNI
@ Living & Learning Centre Nillumbik (3 hour Japanese ink art workshop)
Address: 739 Main Rd, Eltham VIC
This is a monthly workshop. If you want to keep learning Sumi-e, this is the one to join! You will learn something different each time and your practice will improve. You will be able to learn both calligraphy (Shodo) and painting (Sumi-e) of your choice.
19 Feb 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm beginners class
5 Mar 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm ongoing class - sold out
21 May 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm beginners class
4 June 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm ongoing class
details and booking:
www.livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
(03) 9433 3744
* bookings open for 2023 classes in December
@ Melbourne Art Class (3 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address 817B Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC
(level 1, via the laneway about 50m south of the Barkers Rd intersection)
16 Apr 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm beginners class - sold out
14 May 2023 Sun 10am - 1pm intermediate class
14 May 2023 Sun 1:30pm - 4pm Hanko seal carving (stamp making)
11 June 2023 Sun 2pm - 5pm beginners class
details and booking:
@ Melbourne Art Class (2.5h x 3 week short corse)
Address 817B Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC
(level 1, via the laneway about 50m south of the Barkers Rd intersection)
Junko will guide you through painting four traditional images that contain the basic strokes that every sumi-e artist masters: The Four Gentlemen.The Four Gentlemen is a collective noun for four plants.
They represent the four seasons and originated in Chinese art in the 960s AD. Many neighbouring countries, including Japan, adopted the four gentlemen into their traditional art practises.
Beginner sumi-e artists focus on The Four Gentlemen because of their refined beauty, and the fundamental brushstrokes used to create them.
details and booking:
@ Melbourne Art Class (school holiday workshop for children)
Address 817B Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC
(level 1, via the laneway about 50m south of the Barkers Rd intersection)
10 Jan 2023 Tue 9am - 11am for children grades 5 to 7
10 Jan 2023 Tue 12pm - 2pm for teens grades 8 to 12
details and booking:
@ Gloworm Studios (2.5 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 11 Railway Place, Fairfield VIC
5 March 2023 Sun 4pm - 6:30pm - beginners
26 March 2023 Sun 4pm - 6:30pm - intermediate
7 May 2023 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - beginners
28 May 2023 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - intermediate
16 July 2023 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - beginners
30 July 2023 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - intermediate
details and booking:
@ YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub (3 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 252A Maroondah Highway, Healesville VIC
27 Nov 2022 Sun 12pm - 3pm Japanese ink painting with Junko Azukawa
18 Feb 2023 Sat 12pm - 3pm intermediate
details and booking:
@ Box Hill Community Arts Centre (1.5 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 470 Station St, Box Hill VIC
21 May 2022 Sunday 2pmm - 3:30pm Koi fish
21 May 2022 Sunday 4pm - 5:30pm Owl
details and booking:
www.bhcac.com.au
(03) 9895 8833
@ Camberwell Community Centre (5 week Sumi-e course)
Address: 33-35 Fairholm Grove Camberwell VIC 3124
Starts 20 Feb to 27 Mar 2023, Monday 10am - 12pm
Starts 8 May to 5 June 2023, Monday 10am - 12pm
details and booking:
www.camberwellcommunitycentre.org.au/art
(03) 9882 2611
0478 766 683
@ KAMI (2 hour Sumi-e workshop and Hanko Stamp making)
16 Oct 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm Koi fish painting
16 Oct 2022 Sunday 2pm - 4pm Hanko stamp making
19 Mar 2023 Sun 10am - 12pm Birds painting
19 Mar 2023 Sun 2pm - 4pm Hanko stamp making
details and booking:
https://www.kamipaper.com.au/pages/workshops
(03) 9419 5735
@ Yama Ki (Japanese ink art forest retreat)
Address: 1284 Don Rd, Don Valley VIC
3 September Saturday 2022 10:30am - 4:00pm fully booked
The wisdom of nature - Japanese ink art forest retreat
This Japanese ink art retreat is a creative exploration amongst the Yarra Valley forest. Guided by the way of ink and connecting with our hearts, we will therapeutically explore how ink reflects our inner space and expression within.
Art facilitation by Junko Azakawa, and wholesome vegetarian organic lunch by Phuong at Yama Ki.
Retreat cost $195. Limited to 10 participants, all art material & lunch is provided. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements/allergies.
Self contained accommodation is also available on the property (www.yamaki.com.au).
Retreat booking:
https://www.trybooking.com/CAWFZ
Recent invited workshops
National Gallery of Victoria, Australia.
St Ita’s Catholic Primary School, Melbourne.
St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Melbourne.
St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Primary School, Melbourne.
Genazzano FCJ College, Melbourne.
Hobsons Bay Arts Society, Melbourne.
Ashby Primary School, Melbourne.
Westbourne Grammar School, Melbourne.
Emerald Hill Library and Heritage Centre, Melbourne.
Arts Inspire, Melbourne.
Nunawading Christian College, Melbourne.
Geelong Grammar School, Melbourne.
Convenant College, Melbourne.
Strathcona Girls Grammar School, Melbourne.
Presbyterian Ladies' College, Melbourne.
Williamstown North Primary School, Melbourne.
Victoria University, Melbourne.
SEABUZZ Restaurant, Melbourne.
Cheltenham Primary School, VIC.
Kingswood College, VIC.
North Ringwood Community House, VIC.
Essendon Keilor College, VIC.
Chisholm Institute, Melbourne.
Parkdale Secondary College, Melbourne.
Chanoyu Spa, Melbourne.
International Conference In Health Care, Melbourne.
Lion Nathan Conference, Crown Casino, Melbourne.
Art Education Victoria Conference, Melbourne.
No Vacancy, Melbourne.
Peer Gallery, Sydney.
Boroondara Park Primary School, Melbourne.
St Anne's Primary school, Melbourne.
Solway Primary School, Melbourne.
Haileybury College, Melbourne.
Melton Secondary College, VIC.
Kilvington Girls' Grammar School, Melbourne.
The Mac.Robertson Girls' High School, Melbourne.
Simonds Catholic College, Melbourne.
Made In Japan, Melbourne.
Orchard Grove Primary School, Melbourne.
Box Hill Community Arts Centre, Melbourne.
The Centre Connecting Community, Melbourne.
Templestowe Park Primary School.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Primary School.
RMIT University, Melbourne.
Mount Waverley Secondary College, Melbourne.
Ikebana International, Melbourne.
Ivanhoe Grammar School, Melbourne.
St Columba's College, Melbourne.
Xavier College, Melbourne.