Meet Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase
Born and raised in Osaka Japan, Eri Takase trained in traditional Japanese calligraphy since the age of six devoting her life to the art. After winning multiple best of category awards in all Japan national competitions and having had her work displayed in the Osaka Museum of Art, in 1989 Master Calligrapher Eri Takase was awarded the rank of Shihan, the highest rank in Japanese Calligraphy, by the Bokuteki-kai which is one of Japan's most prestigious calligraphic societies. This special rank bestowed many privileges including the right for her to develop her own original calligraphic style and to open her own school to teach this style. Master Takase's unique calligraphic style is easily recognizable and has been described as refined and cultured.
Master Takase has earned the rank of Shihan from two prestigious societies — the Bokuteki-kai and Bunka-shodo — receiving best-of-category recognition in both. Very few calligraphers ever receive this honor, and Master Takase has received it multiple times in two different societies.
To view some of Master Takase's award winning art, please visit Traditional Japanese Calligraphy
Since 1995 Master Takase has been living and working in the United States and after having spent many years in the beautiful states of Virginia, Florida, and Hawaii has settled into a small studio in the beautiful state of Washington. Here Master Takase is continuing to devote herself to adapting the art of Japanese Calligraphy to new mediums and methods.
Calligraphy by Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase
Master Takase received national attention after her work with the marketing department of TV Guide was featured for their 60th Primetime Emmy Awards 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.
Notable Commissions
Master Takase's commercial work spans film, advertising, product packaging, book illustration, music labels, logos, and websites. Notable commissions include:
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine — the "Kata Dolphin" logo for Dr. Omar Ahmad's project creating an interactive dolphin to assist rehabilitation of hospitalized children and stroke patients.
- "Between Two Souls" by Mary Lou Kownacki — artwork for a book of poems exchanged between a modern Catholic nun and the 19th-century Zen monk Ryokan.
- 60th Primetime Emmy Awards — artwork and invitations for the TV Guide After Party, featured on NBC's EXTRA.
If you are looking to use Japanese Calligraphy in a commercial design, visit Commercial Japanese Calligraphy.
Takase Studios
Takase Studios has been creating Japanese calligraphy for customers worldwide since 1995. Over nearly three decades, Master Takase has created thousands of custom pieces — scrolls, art, and tattoo designs — each with a story to tell and many that are deeply personal. Tens of thousands of customers have trusted Takase Studios with their Japanese calligraphy.
In 1997 Master Takase founded Takase Shodokai, her own calligraphy school, as her Shihan rank entitles her to do. Since 2007 Takase Studios has hosted Jeffrey's Japanese-English Dictionary, a partnership with the Electronic Dictionary Research and Development Group (EDRDG).
How We Verify Our Translations
Every name translation on this site is verified against the EDRDG dictionaries — JMnedict, JMdict, and KANJIDIC2 — the same scholarly databases used by researchers and linguists worldwide. Our pronunciation research covers 11 languages, and our etymology draws from 19 scholarly sources.
Each design is hand-brushed by Master Takase from original calligraphy. Not generated. Not clip art. Not machine-produced.
Published Interviews
- Master Calligrapher Eri Takase on the Art and Energy of Japanese Calligraphy — California Reiki / The Reiki Digest
- Interview with Master Calligrapher Eri Takase — Anime Reign
- Japanese Calligraphy Techniques and Process — Photoshop Magazine
To learn about all of our Japanese Calligraphy services visit Japanese Calligraphy Services.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your idea please contact us.