Specializing in Custom Japanese Calligraphy

Celebrating Takase Studios 15th Anniversary
The Art of Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a tanzaku in a beautiful Japanese holder.

The main kanji read wakeiseijaku which are the four virtues of the Japanese Tea Ceremony. These are harmony (wa), respect (kei), purity (sei) and tranquility (jaku).

This beautiful tanzaku holder is designed so the artwork can be easily replaced depending on the season or the mood of the occasion.

This artwork arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 4 1/2" W x 20 1/4" H

$130 -> $75

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a shikishi in a beautiful Japanese Bamboo holder.

The main kanji reads kenkou meaning "Health" and reminds us that our health is our most important treasure.

The work uses sumi ink on a gold shikishi which is Japanese paper mounted with a gold border. This artwork measures about 9 1/2" W x 10 1/4" H and is about 1/8" thick.

The work comes with a simple but beautiful bamboo holder. The artwork is ready to hang.

Dimensions: 11" W x 11 3/4" H

$90 -> $60

Natural Calligraphy Cleaning Stone

This natural stone is used to clean the surface of inkstones used in Japanese Calligraphy. This cleans off dried ink and resin and roughens the surface of the inkstone so it will take the ink better.

To use the stone, soak it in water for about twenty minutes. Put water into the inkstone well and for 2-3 minutes rub the stone as if making ink. Then, finally, rinse the inkstone and dry and the surface of the inkstone will be clean and like new.

If used on the Ramon-ken inkstones (sold as part of Takase Shodokai Calligraphy Sets) the surface of the stone will turn white and this is natural.

The artwork, signed by Master Takase, is kokki meaning "self-control."

As this is a natural stone the one you receive may look slightly different than that shown. This is a rare item from Japan and the Calligrapher on your shopping list will be delighted to receive this special gift.

$60 -> $38

Japanese Tea Ceremony Set

This selection includes a tea bowl, a tea whisk and a beautiful hand-lettered calligraphy by Master Takase. This makes an excellent gift for anyone interested in the Japanese Tea Ceremony and is also wonderful as decorative items.

The artwork signed by Master Takase is kissako which is an expression commonly used in the tea ceremony to say "please have some tea."

The kiyomizu-yaki tea bowl is 4 1/2" in diameter and 2 3/4" H. And the handmade bamboo whisk is 4".

$150 -> $85

Bronze Cat (neko)

For the cat lover on your list. This is a bronze cat that is about 2 1/4" long. It comes in it's own Japanese Cedar box. The box cover shown says it is a handmade bronze by artist Takashi Omori in the 1970's. This work of art is intended as a paper weight (called bunchin) in Japanese Calligraphy - though this delightful cat makes a wonderful decoration.

Accompanying the bronze cat is an original calligraphy work by Master Takase title "Cat" and includes her seal and signature.

$125 -> $70

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on hand-made Japanese calligraphy paper backed onto a heavier support paper and is suitable for framing. This is an early work of Master Takase's dating to one of the first works she made after moving to the US.

This is a poem by the famous 10th century waka poet Tsurayuki Kino.

The poem reads

sakura chiru ko no shita kaze wa samu kara de
sora ni shirarenu yuki zo furikeru

Under the cherry blossom tree the wind is not cold,
flower petals fall as if snow.

This work comes unframed and is on a heavy paper suitable for framing.

Dimensions: 9" W x 12 1/2" H

$170 -> $90

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on hand-made Japanese calligraphy paper backed onto a heavier support paper and is suitable for framing. This is an early work of Master Takase's dating to one of the first works she made after moving to the US.

The poem reads

hito shirezu omou kokoro wa harugasumi
tachidete kimi ga me ni mo mienan

My secret love, like a spring haze,
is how I would like to appear before you.

The above is our translation. Another translation one sees is rather winded but helpful:

Would that like spring haze it might take visible form,
for our lord to see -
this longing, locked in my heart,
of which others know nothing.

This work comes unframed and is professionally backed onto a heavy mat and is suitable for framing.

Dimensions: 9 1/2" W x 13" H x 1/8" D

$170 -> $90

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a mini-shikishi in a beautiful Japanese holder.

The main kanji read kansha which means "thanks", "thank you" or "gratitude".

This lovely little work makes the perfect thank you gift.

This artwork arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 7" W x 8" H

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This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a shikishi in a beautiful Japanese Bamboo holder.

The main kanji reads ai meaning "Love" and reminds us that love is one of our most important treasures. This translation of Love is the closest to the English meaning which can be a love between two people, between a parent and a child or simply love in general.

The work uses sumi ink on a gold shikishi which is Japanese paper mounted with a gold border. This artwork measures about 9 1/2" W x 10 1/4" H and is about 1/8" thick.

The work comes with a simple but beautiful bamboo holder. The artwork is ready to hang.

Dimensions: 11" W x 11 3/4" H

Sold
 

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a mini-shikishi in a beautiful Japanese holder.

The main kanji read koufuku which means "Happiness".

This lovely little work is a constant positive reinforcement and arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 7" W x 8" H

Sold
 

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a shikishi in a beautiful Japanese Bamboo holder.

The main kanji reads kenkou meaning "Health" and reminds us that our health is our most important treasure.

The work uses sumi ink on a silver shikishi which is Japanese paper mounted with a gold border. This artwork measures about 9 1/2" W x 10 1/4" H and is about 1/8" thick.

The work comes with a simple but beautiful bamboo holder. The artwork is ready to hang.

Dimensions: 11" W x 11 3/4" H

Sold
 

Cast Iron Suiteki

This beautiful teapot shaped suiteki is used to hold water when ink is made for Japanese Calligraphy. This measure just over 3" long and is a round teapot shaped.

This particular piece is called Nanbutekki and is from Master Takase's personal collection.

Accompanying the suiteki is an original work by Eri Takase read "mizu no kokoro" which translates roughly as "the soul of water."

This is an excellent gift for anyone interested in Japanese Calligraphy - it also makes an excellent decorative price.

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This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a mini-shikishi in a beautiful Japanese Cedar holder.

The main kanji read sonkei which in Japanese means Respect.

This beautiful holder is designed so the artwork can be easily replaced depending on the season or the mood of the occasion.

This artwork arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 7 1/2" W x 8" H

Sold
 

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on hand-made Japanese calligraphy paper backed onto a heavier support paper and is suitable for framing. This is an early work of Master Takase's dating to one of the first works she made after moving to the US.

This is a poem by the famous 9th century poetess Ono no Komachi

The poem reads

iro miede utsurou mono wa yo no naka no
hito no kokoro wo hana ni zo arikeru

A thing which fades
with no outward sign
Is the flower
Of the heart of man
In this world!

A good site for translations on this poem is Ono no Komachi, KKS:797 (Love)

This work comes unframed and is on a heavy paper suitable for framing.

Dimensions: 9" W x 12 1/2" H

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This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a white tanzaku in a gray tanzaku holder with a brown border.

The main kanji read banpou kiitsu which literally means All Things Return to the One. This is a Buddhist concept saying that all things in the universe originate from the One and return to the One.

This beautiful tanzaku holder is designed so the artwork can be easily replaced.

This artwork arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 4 1/8" W x 19" H

Sold

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a shikishi in a beautiful Japanese Bamboo holder.

The main kanji reads ai meaning "Love" and reminds us that love is one of our most important treasures. This translation of Love is the closest to the English meaning which can be a love between two people, between a parent and a child or simply love in general.

The work uses sumi ink on a white shikishi which is Japanese paper mounted with a gold border. This artwork measures about 9 1/2" W x 10 1/4" H and is about 1/8" thick.

The work comes with a simple but beautiful bamboo holder. The artwork is ready to hang.

Dimensions: 11" W x 11 3/4" H

Sold
 

This original artwork by Master Japanese Calligraphy Eri Takase is on a mini-shikishi in a beautiful Japanese holder.

The main kanji read katsu which means "victory" or "win".

This lovely little work is a constant positive reinforcement and arrives ready to hang.

Dimensions: 7" W x 8" H

Sold