Gyokubai Studio

Gyokubai Studio is the first Japanese Calligraphy studio in Guernsey provides an authentic Japanese Calligraphy experience from children to adults.

Japanese calligraphy, or "Shodo", has a long history and is treasured as an important part of Japanese traditional culture. Shodo is not limited by age or physical strength. That is why people in Japan learn and enjoy Shodo in all stages of life, from primary schools to residential homes. Through practicing Shodo you will learn to focus your mind, communicate and understand yourself through every brushstroke. Shodo can improve your concentration, your emotional resilience and physical strength. By focusing all of your emotional energy and concentration into a series of brushstrokes, you can imprint your authentic self in that moment on the "Hanshi" paper. In Shodo, you cannot erase or correct your brushwork after placing ink on the Hanshi paper; every "Renshu" work (practice) or "Oseisho" (your best work of the day) will be footprints representing moments in your life.

About Naoko (Japanese calligrapher name "Gyokubai" )Naoko was born in Fukuoka, Japan and has practiced Shodo since she was 5 years old. Naoko is a qualified Shodo master and her approach to Shodo emphasises the beauty of traditional techniques while focusing on the benefits of Shodo to improve concentration and promote mindfulness in everyday life. Naoko calls this practice "Healing Shodo".

Naoko is passionate about teaching all aspects of Japanese culture and since moving to Guernsey in 2009 alongside teaching Shodo has also taught several courses of Japanese language and culture, while also organising Guernsey's first ever Japanese culture festival.