With disruptions to daily living unfolding in our current sociopolitical climate, some peace and respite were greatly needed. One such event hosted by the Japanese Language Program in the University of Calgary’s School of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures and Culture galvanized the motivation of students hoping to experience the tranquillity that many calligraphers have harnessed in their time.

The eighth instalment of the Japanese calligraphy event, Think Ink was held on March 18th- two years after the seventh instalment. It was truly a night to be held, as new Japanese language learners, older Japanese language learners, and even Japanese people themselves intermingled and passed the time catching up and making new friends, all the while learning more about the country whose language they have decided to dedicate themselves in.

Professor Akiko Sharp started the event by talking about the various forms of Japanese calligraphy and their many application. From tensho to gyosho, and so much more, the students were transfixed on the calligraphy forms and were eager to get started. The calligrapher, Mami Humphreys, taught the students how to properly handle the calligraphy brush, after which she wrote the characters for ‘peace’ - 平和 - in the different styles of calligraphy that were shown in the presentation.

After, the students, armed with the knowledge, went to work on writing the characters. With Mami Humphreys providing support for the students, several Japanese international students also helped out, already possessing some of their own calligraphic prowess. The students were given practice sheets, as well as sheets for their ‘final’ work of calligraphy, their masterpiece.

By the end of the event, many students - even new Japanese learners - were able to write the characters with simple ease. There were many thanks given out that night, and many more were hopeful to return to a norm where Japanese learners at the university could partake in events such as these by the Japanese Language Program. The final part of the event saw the students taking home their masterpieces, with some even taking their practice sheets home. We are all very excited to see how events such as this will allow each student’s passion to blossom.