I started doing western calligraphy as a hobby in my native country, Japan, in 1995. I still remember the first day of my calligraphy lessons. I was so fascinated with the lines and letters that were created by the movement of a broad edge nib which is an essential tool of western calligraphy, but very different from the brush techniques of Japanese calligraphy. Half a year after my first calligraphy lesson, I took a workshop which was taught by
a prominent American calligrapher Thomas Ingmire.
I decided to study calligraphy more seriously and started thinking of going to western countries where calligraphy is taught. I took part in various calligraphy lessons before leaving Japan. I enjoyed Mrs Yasuko Suzuki and Mrs Yuim Toyama's lessons very much. After 2 years research and preparation, I moved to England to start BA Calligraphy at the University of Surrey Roehampton (now Roehampton University).
