The Paka-sho Experience (Japanese Calligraphy & Percussion)
Workshop ART
Participants are in for a special treat at this one of a kind workshop. During the first part of this workshop, Japanese Calligrapher KO-JU will teach the basics of Japanese calligraphy and guide you in creating your own calligraphic expression. (You won’t need to know any Japanese.) In the second part of the workshop, professional percussionist Hiderow will teach a variety of percussion instruments and together we will create music reflecting on what you learned during the first part of the workshop. For the finale, students and instructors will perform together for a truly unique collaboration. (Limited to 40 hands-on participants; others are welcome to observe the workshop.)
Note: Please bring an apron or a smock to protect your clothes as the calligraphy ink stain is impossibly difficult to come off.
Note: Please bring an apron or a smock to protect your clothes as the calligraphy ink stain is impossibly difficult to come off.
Hiderow
Presenter
Hiderow was born in February, 1972 in Saga prefecture. While attending Waseda University, he started out as a professional musician.
He plays trumpet and percussion. He has been performing domestically (in Japan) and internationally with four bands, Conguero Tres Hoofers, Venue Vincent, CENTRAL, and Selim Slive Elementz. He’s also performed with many underground labels and major artists alike, such as Magokoro Brothers, JUJU, Saori Yuki, Shinrizumu, KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE, DJ KAWASAKI, ROOT SOUL, Mano Arriba, and more.
He and his wife, KO-JU, a Japanese shodo-ka calligrapher, have teamed up as a duo called “Paka-sho” (percussion + shodo), a fascinating combination of the two arts.
He plays trumpet and percussion. He has been performing domestically (in Japan) and internationally with four bands, Conguero Tres Hoofers, Venue Vincent, CENTRAL, and Selim Slive Elementz. He’s also performed with many underground labels and major artists alike, such as Magokoro Brothers, JUJU, Saori Yuki, Shinrizumu, KYOTO JAZZ MASSIVE, DJ KAWASAKI, ROOT SOUL, Mano Arriba, and more.
He and his wife, KO-JU, a Japanese shodo-ka calligrapher, have teamed up as a duo called “Paka-sho” (percussion + shodo), a fascinating combination of the two arts.
KO-JU
Presenter
KO-JU was born in 1971 in Nagano prefecture. She took up shodo, Japanese calligraphy, at the age of 7.
While working various jobs, she continued learning traditional styles of calligraphy while at the same time she also began to explore her own styles of expression. KO-JU focuses on having a tenderness with strong brushstrokes, giving her work a special presence.
Her diverse calligraphy works include everything from haiku poetry to logos and advertising materials for companies and organizations to ink painting illustrations. Her other activities involve live performances and hands-on workshops. In 2018 she conducted a workshop and an exhibition in Thailand for her first overseas event. AnimeFest will be her second overseas appearance and her first appearance in the U.S.
Just like so many others in her generation, KO-JU grew up watching anime and reading manga. She’s excited to attend AnimeFest to see firsthand how Japanese arts such as anime, manga and calligraphy are received and appreciated in America. She is also looking forward to sharing her work with and teaching her craft to AnimeFest attendees.
While working various jobs, she continued learning traditional styles of calligraphy while at the same time she also began to explore her own styles of expression. KO-JU focuses on having a tenderness with strong brushstrokes, giving her work a special presence.
Her diverse calligraphy works include everything from haiku poetry to logos and advertising materials for companies and organizations to ink painting illustrations. Her other activities involve live performances and hands-on workshops. In 2018 she conducted a workshop and an exhibition in Thailand for her first overseas event. AnimeFest will be her second overseas appearance and her first appearance in the U.S.
Just like so many others in her generation, KO-JU grew up watching anime and reading manga. She’s excited to attend AnimeFest to see firsthand how Japanese arts such as anime, manga and calligraphy are received and appreciated in America. She is also looking forward to sharing her work with and teaching her craft to AnimeFest attendees.
This panel has been APPROVED and will be scheduled!