NEWS
Pupils scoop global awards
The small calligraphy school of Japanese Grand Master Calligrapher Akiko Crowther has had a bumper result in the Kakizome Competition, with every entry winning a top
prize in a tough field.
Out of a total of 7,794 entries, the school's 10 students won five bronze medals, two silver medals, and three highest honors awards.
Mrs. Crowther said she was proud of all her students, and had not expected them to do so well.
After her husband, Tim, suffered a stroke last year, Mrs. Crowther had to close their Yu Yu Gallery and School, and move the lessons to their house.
Now that Mr. Crowther was starting to recover and the class was doing so well, things were starting to improve, she said.
"When I received this news, it looked like God and Buddha were saying, 'Don't worry, Akiko, hold up!'. So Tim and I could not stop the tears of joy," she said.
As for her students' performance, that was largely a result of them following her mantra of "practice, practice, practice", she said.
Student Rintaro Yoda, nine, who won a highest honor award for his entry, has been learning calligraphy at the school for four years.
He said he enjoyed calligraphy because it was "writing with your whole body, instead of just your hand".
Mrs. Crowther said Yoda had a lot of concentration.
Carys Gwynne, seven, also won a highest honors award. She said she loved "everything" about the art.
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Caligraphy lessons begin again in 2011
Akiko has started general caligraphy classes for both adults and children at their house, and she is also doing personal lessons.
Not a Nelson redident? No problem - Akiko is starting lessons via correspondence. One of Akiko's students lives in Auckland. Akiko send him monthly texts with all the required materials, and when he's finished he sends his work back to Akiko.
If you are interested in any of these lessons please contact Akiko for more information. |
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Tim's recovery 2011
Tim's recovery is coming along very well. He can now walk with the aid of a walking stick, and sometimes he's able to walk around at home without one. He is also starting to speak simple sentences, and we even attended a friend's wedding party last October (photo on the right).
Thank you very much to our many friends, customers, and students who have supported and helped us through this difficult time. |
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Tim's stroke and recovery 2010
In February on 2010 Tim suffered a serious stroke and was hospitalised for many weeks. Although he is now making positive steps towards recovery, we were forced to close the Yu Yu Gallery in April.
The Calligraphy School is still accepting students though, so if you are interested in lessons from New Zealand's only resident Japanese Grand Master Calligrapher please contact Akiko |
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Highest Honours in Kakizome 2009
Building on last year's great first-time Tokusen win by Yousif (see Webcam Lessons below), Akiko's young Nelson students achieved even bigger success in Tokyo in this year's Kakizome Calligraphy Competition. They won 2 Tokusen Highest Honour Awards, 2 Gold, 11 Silver and 8 Bronze Awards! Congratulations everyone - we are so proud of you all! See story in NELSON MAIL. |
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Yu Yu School Still Growing
Now with over 25 young and adult students, Akiko's Calligraphy School is thriving, and the popularity of this graceful art is growing. Akiko's 2-hour Personal Lessons are also proving increasingly popular with international tourists and NZ visitors to Nelson, as a stimulating introduction to calligraphy and a very different holiday activity. Thanks to everyone who has tried it! |
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Akiko's 'Four Treasures Tour'
In July Akiko leads a small group of her students on her 'Four Treasures Tour' of Japan, visiting the artisan makers of calligraphy brushes, sumi ink, traditional inkstones, and handmade washi paper. The group will also study at a big calligraphy seminar in Izu. (Report to follow in August.) |
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First Webcam Calligraphy Lessons
Our 2008 Kakizome Highest Honour winner, Yousif Cahusac de Caux (9) now lives in Milton Keynes in England. Although his whole family was moving from NZ, Yousif passionately wanted to continue studying calligraphy with Akiko. So with the help of his father Derek, we set up a webcam system with Skype.
Now Yousif still enjoys his weekly lesson - even though Sensei and student are 18,755 kms apart! |
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Special Guest Calligrapher, Summer 2008-9
From November to January we had the great pleasure of welcoming young Master Calligrapher Aska Fukami, from Ibaraki, who was visiting NZ on a 1 year working holiday and to study English. Aska stayed with us and we even celebrated her birthday on the beach, Kiwi-style. She was very popular with all our students and customers, and we all miss her sunny smile and shining personality.Thank you Aska! |
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Major Commission from New York
Akiko was deeply honoured to be invited to create the calligraphy for the cover of a new DVD boxed set of the classic Japanese film masterpiece, Ningen No Joken - The Human Condition. Our sincere thanks toThe Criterion Collection, the prestigious online cinematheque based in New York City. For details, see COMMISSIONS |
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The first Czech Master Calligrapher?
Will it be our former student and dear friend Petra Vitaskova - or one day, her beautiful new baby daughter Anna? We are sure she was born with a brush in her hand! Warmest congratulations and all our love to Petra and husband Jakub in Prague! |
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