2k 
Renclub
Japanese Traditional Calligrapher in Shodo
location_on Chatswood, Sydney
local_activity classes: Calligraphy and Brush Lettering • Paper Craft and Ink
4.9 (83)Ren is an artist who specialises on ‘Shodo’, Japanese traditional calligraphy. He was conferred Consul-General's Commendation on in 2016.
After holding exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka, he moved his centre of activity to Sydney in 1996.
Now his work can be seen all over NSW through his exhibitions. In addition, he has held various performances and workshops at many occasions including the NSW Art Gallery, the Japanese Embassy’s Candle Festival and the Cowra Japanese Gardens.
He has also taken the role of Kanji (Japanese characters) Demonstration in the SBS Japanese learning show ‘Nihongo Daisuki’ and other Chinese learning shows.
In recent years he has also impressed overseas audiences with many activities including his exhibition in Dubai and performance at the Japan Day in New Zealand, to which he was invited by the Auckland Consulate of Japan.
In 2010 his work ‘Furusato’ (En: place of origin) was approved by the Japanese Foreign Ministry as a national property of Japan, meaning his artistic talent is now recognised by two nations(Australia and Japan). This work is now housed at the Japanese Embassy in Canberra.
He holds Shodo classes in Sydney, and is endeavouring to pass his talent to future generations.
Ren participated in production of Hollywood movie “The Wolverine” (2013) as a calligrapher. Also he was conferred Consul-General's Commendation on in 2016.
Classes
Gallery
Reviews
(83)
Raya Grishina-Gunn • Feb 2024
Loved the class! Amazing experience. Like active meditation! Fantastic for mental health and creativity! Highly recommended.
Helen Carbone • Dec 2023
Great class and great teacher. It was
very interesting and a fun experience! would highly recommend to all
Ruchi Glanville • Nov 2023
I decided to book this for my husband and I for our first wedding anniversary. For our first experience with calligraphy it was so cool! With such a short amount of time it was enjoyable and we loved our copy to take home.
Therese Perdedjian • Nov 2023
Amazing class. My partner and I had so much fun and Ren was amazing teacher. Ren made it surprisingly easy and he supplied all the tools. Recommend this class. Considering ongoing classes in calligraphy
Zara Lagoudakis • Oct 2023
Teacher was very helpful and encouraging. very skilled and kind. The room is clos to the station and very neat, soft music playing and different calligraphy along the walls. Materials were of high quality, including the paper and ink that we had to make. It is definitely worth the cost and you learn how to do proper calligraphy strokes, new Japanese kanji and words you didn't previously know, as well as how to make ink.
Ronald Euse • Sep 2023
The teacher (Ren) was excellent. He was so accommodating and helpful. Materials were plentiful. Class was great.
Shiaoling Lim • Jul 2023
Thank you Ren! For your time and encouragement throughout the session. I was pleasantly surprised that the class wasn’t just for the writing itself but also tying it to our breathing and relaxation. Very therapeutic! I got a set to practice at home! Certainly do with more mindfulness practice this way !
Celia Toose • May 2023
2 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
It was a great class for a beginner who was keen to try Japanese calligraphy. Ren helped us pick a word we wanted to write and gave good advice on how to master the technique.
James Toose • May 2023
Great course. Just enough time. Very encouraging teacher. So much to take home
Genevieve Caudery • Mar 2023
Ren is a marvelous and patient teacher . His method of tuition is step by step and very positive .
Tina Nguyen • Mar 2023
Ren Sensei is amazing.
He was very patient and calm and encouraging. We booked a morning session and the hour flew by so quickly.
Shodo calligraphy for us was such a meditative experience and brought a sense of calm to us both.
Highly recommended
Laura Marsden • Oct 2022
Ren sensei was knowledgeable, helpful and so patient with our limited artistic skills. After our lesson we were so happy with our finished work and felt calm and appreciative of the skill and time it would take to master this craft. We definitely recommend you give it a try! Ganbatte #Love #Family
Yiwei Li • Oct 2022
14 ClassBento workshops attended • 8 reviews
Really relaxed and zen session, sensei taught us the basics in utilizing the brush and let us choose the word/phrase we want to practise on. I will definitely recommend it if you are interested in Japanese culture/calligraphy.
Adam Allgaier • Aug 2022
Stimulating, thoughtful, insightful, and fun! This calligraphy lesson was top notch, and Ren is a great teacher and enjoyable to learn from. The skill he teaches here is deep and nuanced, and had mindfulness value that leaves you focused.
Simone Pietschner • Jul 2022
I booked this class with two friends to celebrate one of their birthdays. Ren was a great instructor. Very enthusiastic and warm. It was great to take our work home and ready to hang. We chose the words, Peace, Family and Gratitude.
Kelsey Brymer • Jul 2022
Ren was a knowledgeable and patient teacher. All of the materials to practice and create the final work was provided. I enjoyed speaking with Ren about his craft and experiences in Japan/Australia. I highly recommend this class if you want to explore a new art practice that leaves you feeling relaxed and peaceful.
Melissa Marsh • Jun 2022
Had a great time! Master Ren was very patient with me. Would go back again.
Emmanuel Sokias • May 2022
Ren’s calligraphy workshop was a great experience. We went on a Saturday and shared the class with another person. It was an intimate setting. Ren briefly touched on the history of the art of Japanese calligraphy, and helped us create our own ink from water and stone. Ren showed us the form required for the brush strokes and allowed us plenty of practice on tracing paper, before finishing our final attempt on high quality paper. The whole process is quite meditative; we were encouraged to breathe in tandem with the brushstrokes. Quiet, ambient music accompanies the class. Ren took plenty of photos and allowed us to keep practicing until we were satisfied with our artwork. A charming little experience.
Tulin Sayah • Jan 2022
22 ClassBento workshops attended • 22 reviews
What a way to experience Japanese culture -a fun and immersive eye opening experience to Calligraphy. A fun hour to learn a new skill.
Donna Shrimpton • Nov 2021
3 ClassBento workshops attended • 2 reviews
It was a fantastic class. The teacher Ren was lovely and very helpful. We learned how to use the brush then picked a word each. We had a great time.
Paul Ramsey • Mar 2021
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
My 3rd class in 3 months.
Ren is a fantastic teacher, was very detailed about how to write the characters, Explained how to space out all the different line strokes to stop me from overlapping onto other lines.
Definitely showed signs of improvements for my 1st lesson mid January.
Arigato Gozaimasu
Paul Ramsey • Feb 2021
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
My 2nd lesson in 4 weeks now. Was very detailed in his lesson. I definitely think I've improved from my 1st lesson.
Paul Ramsey • Jan 2021
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 5 reviews
Had a great lesson. Teacher was very passionate about Japanese Calligraphy.
Was patient with me, helped me learn more about Japanese culture.
Handed me a practice paper and paint brush to take home to help me improve before his next lesson.
Thank you.
Paul
Timothy Williams • Aug 2020
Ren San is an excellent teacher a real Sensei of calligraphy
The space is well lit with windows on the south and east, the materials and work tables beautifully prepared.
He talked about the importance of breath, of calm, of how the brush transmits your state of mind. He finds out what you know and adapts to your level. You learn how to prepare the ink, Ren listens for the correct grinding sound on the stone.
He teaches Brush technique and exercises to practice. A word is chosen, the strokes, their order and the balance of spaces between were practiced on thin paper again and again and discussed, then you commit to a beautiful piece of board.
After a fleeting hour, You go home with a beautiful thing peace
Stephanie Barbieri • Jun 2020
3 ClassBento workshops attended • 3 reviews
Thank you for a great class. I very much enjoyed what I learnt, especially about the Japanese language and culture. Looking forward to practising now at home. Thank you
Kelly Dees • Oct 2019
Loved learning this new style of brush lettering. Teacher had a great eye for small corrective details and had an easy progression of teaching working up to our chosen word. Class could be a little longer like 1.5 hours rather than an hour to go at a little slower more relaxing pace. All in all it was very enjoyable!
Emily • Jul 2019
It was a very interesting class that briefly touched on the techniques of calligraphy. I would highly recommend for people who want to see what it is like
Leanne Jan • Jul 2019
6 ClassBento workshops attended • 7 reviews
Professional venue in a very nice setting. His instructions were clear and simple to follow as he explained very clearly. I would do again.
Kylie Jackson • Jul 2019
4 ClassBento workshops attended • 3 reviews
The class was fun. Looks easy but actually very challenging to master the strokes. Good technique requires a calm mind and connection to breath. Was great to learn and be guided by the teacher. He was very encouraging.
Milton Braga • Jun 2019
The teacher was great and very patient. Just remember to bring your word to work with.
Xinhui Chen • Nov 2018
Great experience, when writing the words, I can feel I am interact with the character.
Lana Habl • Sep 2018
2 ClassBento workshops attended
A wonderful, masterful and jam packed workshop: for an hour, Ren's efficiency really took over and the progress from practising strokes to actually creating calligraphy was swift. I didn't want the class to end. Really recommend this workshop for an hour of Zen to break up a hectic day. Thank you Ren!
Zackery • Jul 2018
We had a great experience, very friendly teacher and nice location. We will definitely consider coming back for another lesson.
Kate Ahmad • May 2018
It was wonderful.
Amazing teacher who took us through every step.
Japanese equipment and a very calm and relaxing experience. Will be back!
