As an artist, Chiyo’s passion has always been Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo). Shodo is an art of movement, using ink, brush, and paper to express thoughts and emotions in characters.
With complete focus, Chiyo imbues each brushstroke of the Japanese characters or “kanji” with meaning, power, and rhythm. Chiyo’s goal is to make connections with people from all over the world through her art. Though her primary audience is unfamiliar with Japanese characters, she is known for using color, texture, and line to successfully convey emotions and concepts through her art so others can intuitively sense its meaning. To create her unique style, Chiyo uses acrylics, watercolor, mixed media collages, and 3D techniques.
Chiyo is also known for bringing calligraphy “off the page and onto the stage” with her live calligraphy demonstrations, which are often performed in conjunction with other Japanese art forms. She has performed with Taiko drummers and Koto players. These dynamic performances result in lasting artworks that reflect and expand on the work of the other performers.
Originally from Hiroshima, Japan, Chiyo began training in Japanese calligraphy at age seven. She started teaching Japanese calligraphy after graduating from Hiroshima Bunkyo University in 1995 with a teaching certificate and a degree in Japanese calligraphy. She has been a WA resident since 2000 and regularly shows her work in art exhibitions, offering workshops throughout the PNW.
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