Welcome to Takase Studios

featuring the Art of Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase.

Since Takase Studios opened in 1997, Master Takase has created thousands of beautiful works that have sold around the world as custom art for individuals, on commercial products, in books, magazines, and in film. We have a large variety of personal and commercial services available. Whether you are looking for Japanese art for your home, a gift, commercial art for your logo or illustrations for your book, a seal design or focal art for your dojo, we would be delighted to work with you.

As you view Master Takase's Japanese Calligraphy art, remember each piece is an original and personally created by Master Takase herself.

Names in Japanese Calligraphy

Your name translated to Japanese and lettered in Master Takase's calligraphy. Pronunciations researched across 11 languages, translations verified against 19 scholarly sources.

Commercial Japanese Calligraphy

Master Takase's art is respected worldwide and many praise her for not only her beautiful art but also for her courtesy and professionalism. You have probably seen Master Takase's artwork in films, advertising, on products, in book illustrations, magazines, on music labels, in logos, on websites, and even in computer games. And Master Takase received international recognition for her calligraphy designs for TV Guide's 60th Emmy Awards After Party and was featured on NBC's Extra for her work.

Master Takase received national attention when her work in collaboration with the TV Guide was featured for their 60th Primetime Emmy Awards After Party. Her art was the centerpiece of the main display and the elegant invitations were so special they were featured on NBC's prime time entertainment show EXTRA.

Shodo (書道 shodou), the Art of Japanese Writing

Japanese Calligraphy distinguished itself from Chinese Calligraphy in the Heian period (794 to 1185 AD) with the addition of kana. That is, Chinese Calligraphy only uses Chinese characters and modern Japanese Calligraphy uses Chinese Characters called kanji and the two syllabaries hiragana and katakana. Because of kana, Japanese Calligraphy has a distinct look. And in the hands of a Master Japanese Calligrapher, the art is sublime.

A beautiful example of Japanese Calligraphy using a cursive font is shown on the right. This particular example uses an archaic syllabary called hentaigana which was used in the Heian period. Hentai means 'strange' and hentaigana is strange in that it is a mix of kanji and an early form of hiragana. If you are interested in learning more, please do check out the art as we go to great lengths to fully document each piece. In this example, we include the original Japanese, the modern Japanese, the reading, the English translation, and an independent reference.

You will see that we go to great lengths to document and explain each piece. We want you to be as happy with the translation and meaning as you are with the beautiful calligraphy itself.

And this is just one of the many original works of Japanese Calligraphy art that are for sale in our Japanese Calligraphy Specials.

In 1989, Master Eri Takase was awarded the highest rank in Japanese Calligraphy of Shihan. As a member of Japan's most prestigious professional calligraphic society, the Bokuteki-kai, Eri Takase is among the few to have won multiple best of category awards in national competitions and her work has been displayed in the Osaka Museum of Art. You can view some of her award-winning art at Traditional Japanese Calligraphy.

You will find in working with Master Takase that she is prompt, informative, and patient. Master Takase's Japanese calligraphy style is described as refined and cultured. And Master Takase herself is praised not only for her beautiful art but also for her courtesy and professionalism.

As you view Master Takase's Japanese Calligraphy art, remember each piece is an original and personally created by Master Takase herself. We do not sell prints. Here you will only find original, authentic Japanese Calligraphy art.

So please, take a look around. We have many beautiful examples of art for sale in our Japanese Calligraphy Shop and we are especially proud of our Japanese scrolls. You will also find many beautiful one-of-a-kind works of art in our Specials Shop. And if you are looking for something truly personal, we offer affordable, completely custom art in our Custom Shop.

And if you are interested in learning more about Japanese Calligraphy, we have many informative articles in our Library including several published interviews with Master Takase.

If you have any questions, or would like to discuss an idea, please email us at Eri@Takase.com.