
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
Living & Learning Centre Nillumbik (3 hour Japanese ink art workshop)
Address: 739 Main Rd, Eltham VIC
This is a monthly workshop - come to one or come to them all. 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.
13 Aug 2022 Sat 10am - 1pm beginners class
10 Sep 2022 Sat 10am - 1pm ongoing class
details and booking:
www.livinglearningnillumbik.vic.gov.au
(03) 9433 3744
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)
4 Sep 2022 Sun 2pm - 5pm for beginners
30 Oct 2022 Sun 10am - 1pm for beginners
details and booking:
Melbourne Art Class (School holiday program 2 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address 817B Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC
(level 1, via the laneway about 50m south of the Barkers Rd intersection)
1 July 2022 Fri 9:30am - 11:30am for children grades 5 to 7
1 July 2022 Fri 12pm - 2pm for teens grades 8 to 12
details and booking:
Melbourne Art Class (3 week Sumi-e short course)
Address: 817B Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC
(level 1, via the laneway about 50m south of the Barkers Rd intersection)
15, 22 & 29 March 2022 Wed 10:30am - 1pm
The Four Gentlemen - Orchid, Bamboo, Chrysanthemum, Plum blossom
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:
Gloworm Studios (2.5 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 11 Railway Place, Fairfield VIC
29 May 2022 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - Fully booked
24 July 2022 Sun 3pm - 5:30pm - Fully booked
24 Sep 2022 Sat 3pm - 5:30pm - Sumi-e for beginners
details and booking:
Mystic River (2 hour Sumi-eworkshop)
Address: Southgate Shopping Centre (Level 1), 3 Southgate Avenue, Southbank, VIC
3 April 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm - fully booked
26 June 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm - fully booked
18 Sep 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm
4 Dec 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm
details and booking:

YAVA Gallery & Arts Hub (3 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 252A Maroondah Highway, Healesville VIC
12 June 2022 Sunday 12pm - 3pm Introduction to Japanese ink painting
7 Aug 2022 Sunday 12pm - 3pm Japanese ink painting with Junko Azukawa
21 Aug 2022 Sunday 12pm - 3pm Intermediate with Junko Azukawa
19 Aug 2022 Friday 10am - 12pm Introduction to Japanese ink painting
details and booking:
Box Hill Community Arts Centre (2 hour Sumi-e workshop)
Address: 470 Station St, Box Hill VIC
15 May 2022 Sunday 11am - 1pm Cherry blossoms
15 May 2022 Sunday 1:30pm - 3:30pm 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 7 Nov to 5 Dec 2022, Monday 1pm - 3pm
details and booking:
www.camberwellcommunitycentre.org.au/art
(03) 9882 2611
0478 766 683
KAMI (2 hour Sumi-e workshop and Hanko Stamp making)


23 Jul 2022 Saturday 10am - 12pm Cherry blossoms painting
23 Jul 2022 Saturday 2pm - 4pm Hanko stamp making
30 Aug 2022 Saturday 10am - 12pm Pine tree painting
17 Sep 2022 Saturday 10am - 12pm Owl painting
17 Sep 2022 Saturday 2pm - 4pm Hanko stamp making
16 Oct 2022 Sunday 10am - 12pm Koi fish painting
16 Oct 2022 Sunday 2pm - 4pm Hanko stamp making
details and booking:
https://www.kamipaper.com.au/pages/workshops
(03) 9419 5735
Living and Learning @ Ajani (3 hour workshop for beginners)
2/284 Thompsons Rd, Templestowe Lower VIC
details and booking:
https://www.livelearnajani.org.au
(03) 9850 3687
Yama Ki (Japanese ink art forest retreat)
Address: 1284 Don Rd, Don Valley VIC
3 September Saturday 2022 10:30am - 4:00pm
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.