Valentine’s Day Sake Labels
Looking for a romantic, meaningful, and unforgettable Valentine’s gift? Join Japanese calligraphy artist Taisan Tanaka for his popular monthly workshop at Kato Sake Works in Brooklyn.
Create a Personalized Japanese Calligraphy Sake Label — Valentine’s Edition
Wednesday, January 14, 2026 from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Kato Sake Works – 379 Troutman Street, Brooklyn
Admission: $28.52
Looking for a romantic, meaningful, and unforgettable Valentine’s gift?
Join Japanese calligraphy artist Taisan Tanaka for his popular monthly workshop at Kato Sake Works in Brooklyn. Held on the second Wednesday of the month, the class teaches attendees how to create a sake label featuring your favorite word or a message in Japanese.
This month’s class is focused on creating Valentine’s Day-inspired calligraphy designs—perfect for gifting someone you love or for celebrating self-love with something special.
🎨 No Experience Needed
All attendees, regardless of level, will learn how to write meaningful Japanese characters such as names, wishes, or loving messages, and turn them into your very own custom sake label
💝 Why Join?
Because it’s a heartfelt, cultural, and beautifully personal gift, something handcrafted and full of meaning
🍶 Perks
Sake bottles are available for purchase on site
You can even enjoy sake while creating — a perfect pairing of art and romance!
Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, a friend, or yourself, this class offers a memorable and creative way to mark Valentine’s Day. To purchase tickets, please visit Taisan Tanaka’s Eventbrite page.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Kakizome Contest at Japan Village
Japan Village is hosting a kakizome contest with Japanese calligraphy artist SEICHO at The LOFT.
Kakizome Japanese Calligraphy Contest
Saturday, January 10, 2026 from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Japan Village – 934 3rd Avenue, Brooklyn (2nd floor "The LOFT")
Admission: Free
Start the New Year with traditional Japanese calligraphy! Kakizome is the writing of the first calligraphy of the New Year, using a brush and ink to express one’s aspirations or intentions for the New Year.
Japan Village is hosting a kakizome contest with Japanese calligraphy artist SEICHO at The LOFT. SEICHO will begin the afternoon with a live calligraphy performance, then the contest will begin, with everyone writing their first word or wish of 2026. The theme is year’s zodiac sign, the Horse (午), and contestants are encouraged to interpret it their own way. Write in English, Japanese, kanji, or simply draw.
Of the entries, five winners will be announced on Instagram on Wednesday, January 14. All works will be displayed on The LOFT’s New Year’s Calligraphy Wall throughout January.
Schedule
2:10 p.m. – Live performance
2:30 p.m. – Contest begins
7:00 p.m. – Contest ends
All ages are welcome. Join the contest, express your intentions for Year of the Horse through calligraphy, and win a prize!
To register, please visit Japan Village’s Eventbrite page.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
Calligraphy Master Leads Workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
Japanese Calligraphy Workshop with Rihaku Inoue
Sunday, September 28 from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Brooklyn Kura – 36 34th Street, Industry City, Brooklyn
Admission: $109.96
Enjoy the meditative art of Japanese Calligraphy with a glass of sake and sushi pairing!
This Sunday, Brooklyn Kura hosts a special afternoon of mindfulness, calligraphy, sake, and sushi in collaboration with Japanese Calligraphy Master RIHAKU.
Welcome the season of early autumn through brush, ink, and flavor. The theme of this workshop is the Zen-inspired phrase: 「ひと葉落ちて 秋を知る」Hitoha ochite Aki wo shiru. (When a single leaf falls, the world senses the coming of autumn.)
Guided by RIHAKU, participants will slow down, align breath with brush, and experience the meditative rhythm of Japanese calligraphy. Writing this seasonal phrase becomes a practice of mindfulness—quieting the mind, noticing subtle transitions, and embracing the present moment.
RIHAKU (center, in kimono) leads a calligraphy workshop at Brooklyn Kura
Each guest will create their own unique piece on traditional Japanese washi paper, to be taken home as a personal keepsake of calm and clarity.
This mindful journey will be paired with a tasting of Brooklyn Kura’s premium sake, along with casual futomaki rolls and inari prepared by Sushi Chef Yoshihiko Kousaka. His simple yet refined sushi will complement the spirit of the workshop, grounding the senses in flavor and seasonality.
To register, please visit Brooklyn Kura’s website.
About Rihaku Inoue
Rihaku is a New York–based Japanese calligraphy artist and founder of RIHAKU New York. She pioneers “3D Calligraphy,” blending classical brush techniques with projection mapping and VR. She has collaborated with Michelin-starred restaurants, cultural institutions, Brooklyn Kura, and in 2025 she led a mindful calligraphy workshop sponsored by JP Morgan. Her large-scale calligraphy performance at Japan’s Todaiji National Temple garnered national media coverage. Her mission is to share the timeless spirit of Japanese calligraphy across cultures, fusing tradition with innovation. Follow her on Instagram at @rierihaku.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!
ALL-DAY JAPANESE CULTURAL FESTIVAL
FUN FEST JAPAN
Sunday, October 6 from noon until 4:00 p.m.
Corlears Hook Park – 479 Cherry Street
Admission: Free
Presented by The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York (JFDINY), FUN FEST JAPAN celebrates Japan and New York with an all-day Japanese cultural festival, featuring traditional performing arts and cultural activities for the entire family. Head to Corlears Hook Park in the Lower East Side to enjoy performances by JFDINY’s own Minbuza (Japanese Folk Dance), Samurai Sword Soul (Traditional Sword Fighting), and Taiko Masala (Taiko Drumming). In the activities area, experienced teachers will lead children in a variety of engaging Japanese arts and crafts such as origami, calligraphy, kendama, and kimono dressing. The finale of the day will be the Bon Odori, a traditional Japanese summer event where everyone joins in and dances together!
For more information about FUN FEST JAPAN and The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of New York, please visit their website and follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
FUN FEST JAPAN is made possible in part with funds from Creative Engagement, a regrant program supported by The New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Private support is provided by City Parks Foundation and Partnerships for Parks through the NYC Green Fund.
Support JapanCulture•NYC by becoming a member! For $5 a month, you’ll help maintain the high quality of our site while we continue to showcase and promote the activities of our vibrant community. Please click here to begin your membership today!