Bio
Masako Inkyo began her Japanese calligraphy training at the age of three. After continuing her practice throughout middle school, high school and college, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy at Yasuda University under professor Masao Inoue. Ms. Inkyo is a member of the two largest professional Shodo associations in Japan. In both she holds the highest rank, based on work she has submitted. She has earned various teaching certificates issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education and received many awards in Shodo and pen calligraphy in local and national competitions in Japan.
From 2000 to 2003, she worked under Barbara Ford, Associate Curator of Asian Art, as a translator in the Japanese department of the Metropolitan Museum in New York. She specialized in early Japanese syllabaries composed of Chinese characters used phonetically.
From 2003 to 2017, she taught Shodo at the Japan Society and from 2015 to 2017 at the Keio Academy of New York.
From 2009 to 2010, she was the official Shodo artist for the car company Infiniti and also collaborated with Mikimoto America to do performances in their New York and Las Vegas branches.
In 2012 published art catalogue "Light and Shadow".
In 2013, 2014, and 2015, Ms. Inkyo collaborated with jazz pianist Greg McKenzie on several mixed-media Shodo and Music performances at the Park Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, she designed a hotel room (themed “One Hundred Poems”) as part of the “Artist in Hotel” program at the Park Hotel Tokyo.
In March 2015, Ms. Inkyo gave a workshop and demonstration, themed “The Tale of Genji” at Middlebury College in Vermont to celebrate their acquisition of an authentic historical Japanese folding screen (byōbu). Also in 2015, the Harrison Public Library completely renovated their building and placed a piece of Masako Inkyo’s art on permanent display in the newly refurbished premises. More recently, Masako made several Shodo designs for the newly opened Morimoto Asia Restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Masako Inkyo’s art was featured in the book, 100 New York Calligraphers.
In February 2017 she conducted a demonstration and workshop at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.
In May 2017 she conducted a performance at an event hosted by Shiseido NY to introduce a new line of cosmetics at Urban Zen in New York City.
In June 2017 Ms. Inkyo participated in the “Peace Is...” series of events hosted by the United Nations in New York City, where she conducted a mixed-media performance in collaboration with opera singer Sahoko Sato Timpone.
In September 2017 New York City restaurant Uchu (宇宙) opened. Ms. Inkyo designed the logo for this Japanese restaurant and whisky bar.
In April 2018 the two-week art event ON LOVE was hosted at Brookfield Place, where Masako Inkyo contributed to the art installation and gave a calligraphy performance, creating a large artwork with the characters running from the top to the bottom of the paper.
In September 2018 Amabuki Sake Brewery, well known for its sake that is 100% handcrafted with blossom yeast, released a range of sake featuring labels which Ms Inkyo had designed.
In November 2018 Ms. Inkyo participated in an event inside JC Penny in New York, hosted by Shiseido for their partners at Sephora, where she made customized calligraphy paintings as gifts for the guests.
In December 2018 Ms. Inkyo expanded her art to ceramics, working with the Kaburaki Kutani Porcelain Shop and Museum in Kanazawa, Japan, to create her own line of porcelain ware. She hand-painted her own original calligraphy and designs, in keeping with this local tradition known for its deep, vivid coloring and highly detailed and elaborate designs that feature elements of nature.
In February, 2019 Connecticut College hosted an event themed after Heike Monogatari (The Tale of Heike), where Ms. Inkyo created her calligraphy art on a 10 foot long sheet of Washi paper.
In April, 2019 Ms. Inkyo participated in her second Shiseido event. This time the theme was the introduction of a new product line, WASO, which is aimed at a younger generation of consumers.
In July, 2019 Ms. Inkyo added her calligraphy art to the Team USA logo at United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties 'One Year Out' to Tokyo 2020 Partner Reception
On December 6, 2019 Ms Inkyo collaborated with composer musician Phyllis Chen and choreographer/dancer Jodi Melnick at the Baryshnikov Arts Center NYC. Inspired by the moving meditation of East Asian calligraphy painting this mixed media performance investigates the movements made by performance calligraphists: choreographed, efficient, and unfalteringly committed. This work-in-progress examines the intersection between traditional Shodo calligraphy performance and live music.
Masako Inkyo has achieved an extensive portfolio of artwork and design and her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions.
Please view the Art section for a selection on www.masako-inkyo.com for more detail.
Ms. Inkyo continues to undertake various design commissions.
Education
Yasuda University, Hiroshima, Japan: studied under Professor Masao Inoue
- Bachelor's Degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy
- Licenses (文科省教員免許) to teach Shodo in elementary, middle and high school and also to teach Japanese Literature in middle and high school (accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education).
Professional Credentials
Top level teaching certificate for Shodo (毛筆書写検定) and Pen Calligraphy (硬筆書写検定) issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Highest rank of Master in two of Japan’s largest professional Shodo associations, Seihitsu Kai (正筆会) and Senshin Kai (洗心会) in the subjects:
- Kana
- Kanji
- Pen Calligraphy
Awards
Global Shodo Competition in the International Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition 2016, sponsored by Yasuda University:
- Best Award in Design
- Best Award in Kanji
Bio
Masako Inkyo began her Japanese calligraphy training at the age of three. After continuing her practice throughout middle school, high school and college, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy at Yasuda University. Ms. Inkyo is a member of the two largest professional Shodo associations in Japan. In both she holds the highest rank, based on work she has submitted. She has earned various teaching certificates issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education and received many awards in Shodo and pen calligraphy in local and national competitions in Japan.
From 2003 to 2017, she taught Shodo at the Japan Society and from 2015 to 2017 at the Keio Academy of New York.
Masako Inkyo has achieved an extensive portfolio of artwork and design and her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions.
Please view the Art section for a selection or click here for a complete list.
Ms. Inkyo continues to undertake various design commissions.
From 2009 to 2010, she was the official Shodo artist for the car company Infiniti and also collaborated with Mikimoto America to do performances in their New York and Las Vegas branches.
In 2012 published art catalogue “Light and Shadow”, photography: Christopher Terry, Christopher Newhard and Andrew Lee, Design: Dan Ichimoto.
In 2013, 2014, and 2015, Ms. Inkyo collaborated with jazz pianist Greg McKenzie on several mixed-media Shodo and Music performances at the Park Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, she designed a hotel room (themed “One Hundred Poems”) as part of the “Artist in Hotel” program at the Park Hotel Tokyo.
In March 2015, Ms. Inkyo gave a workshop and demonstration, themed “The Tale of Genji” at Middlebury College in Vermont to celebrate their acquisition of an authentic historical Japanese folding screen (byōbu). Also in 2015, the Harrison Public Library completely renovated their building and placed a piece of Masako Inkyo’s art on permanent display in the newly refurbished premises. More recently, Masako made several Shodo designs for the newly opened Morimoto Asia Restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Masako Inkyo’s art was featured in the book, 100 New York Calligraphers.
In February 2017 she conducted a demonstration and workshop at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.
In May 2017 she conducted a performance at an event hosted by Shiseido NY to introduce a new line of cosmetics at Urban Zen in New York City.
In June 2017 Ms. Inkyo participated in the “Peace Is…” series of events hosted by the United Nations in New York City, where she conducted a mixed-media performance in collaboration with opera singer Sahoko Sato Timpone.
In September 2017 New York City restaurant Uchu (宇宙) opened. Ms. Inkyo designed the logo for this Japanese restaurant and whisky bar.
In April 2018 the two-week art event ON LOVE was hosted at Brookfield Place, where Masako Inkyo contributed to the art installation and gave a calligraphy performance, creating a large artwork with the characters running from the top to the bottom of the paper.
In September 2018 Amabuki Sake Brewery, well known for its sake that is 100% handcrafted with blossom yeast, released a range of sake featuring labels which Ms Inkyo had designed.
In November 2018 Ms. Inkyo participated in an event inside JC Penny in New York, hosted by Shiseido for their partners at Sephora, where she made customized calligraphy paintings as gifts for the guests.
In December 2018 Ms. Inkyo expanded her art to ceramics, working with the Kaburaki Kutani Porcelain Shop and Museum in Kanazawa, Japan, to create her own line of porcelain ware. She hand-painted her own original calligraphy and designs, in keeping with this local tradition known for its deep, vivid coloring and highly detailed and elaborate designs that feature elements of nature.
In February, 2019 Connecticut College hosted an event themed after Heike Monogatari (The Tale of Heike), where Ms. Inkyo created her calligraphy art on a 10 foot long sheet of Washi paper.
In April, 2019 Ms. Inkyo participated in her second Shiseido event. This time the theme was the introduction of a new product line, WASO, which is aimed at a younger generation of consumers.
In July, 2019 Ms. Inkyo added her calligraphy art to the Team USA logo at United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties ‘One Year Out’ to Tokyo 2020 Partner Reception
On December 6, 2019 Ms Inkyo collaborated with composer musician Phyllis Chen and choreographer/dancer Jodi Melnick at the Baryshnikov Arts Center NYC. Inspired by the moving meditation of East Asian calligraphy painting this mixed media performance investigates the movements made by performance calligraphists: choreographed, efficient, and unfalteringly committed. This work-in-progress examines the intersection between traditional Shodo calligraphy performance and live music.
Masako Inkyo has achieved an extensive portfolio of artwork and design and her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions.
Please view the Art section for a selection on www.masako-inkyo.com for more detail.
Ms. Inkyo continues to undertake various design commissions.
Education
Yasuda University, Hiroshima, Japan: studied under Professor Masao Inoue
- Bachelor’s Degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy
- Licenses (文科省教員免許) to teach Shodo in elementary, middle and high school and also to teach Japanese Literature in middle and high school (accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education).
Professional Credentials
Top level teaching certificate for Shodo (毛筆書写検定) and Pen Calligraphy (硬筆書写検定) issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Highest rank of Master in two of Japan’s largest professional Shodo associations, Seihitsu Kai (正筆会) and Senshin Kai (洗心会) in the subjects:
- Kana
- Kanji
- Pen Calligraphy
Awards
Global Shodo Competition in the International Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition 2016, sponsored by Yasuda University:
- Best Award in Design
- Best Award in Kanji
Bio
Masako Inkyo began her Japanese calligraphy training at the age of three. After continuing her practice throughout middle school, high school and college, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy at Yasuda University. Ms. Inkyo is a member of the two largest professional Shodo associations in Japan. In both she holds the highest rank, based on work she has submitted. She has earned various teaching certificates issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education and received many awards in Shodo and pen calligraphy in local and national competitions in Japan.
From 2003 to 2017, she taught Shodo at the Japan Society and from 2015 to 2017 at the Keio Academy of New York.
Masako Inkyo has achieved an extensive portfolio of artwork and design and her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions.
Please view the Art section for a selection or click here for a complete list.
Ms. Inkyo continues to undertake various design commissions.
From 2009 to 2010, she was the official Shodo artist for the car company Infiniti and also collaborated with Mikimoto America to do performances in their New York and Las Vegas branches.
In 2012 published art catalogue “Light and Shadow”, photography: Christopher Terry, Christopher Newhard and Andrew Lee, Design: Dan Ichimoto.
In 2013, 2014, and 2015, Ms. Inkyo collaborated with jazz pianist Greg McKenzie on several mixed-media Shodo and Music performances at the Park Hotel in Tokyo, Japan. In addition, she designed a hotel room (themed “One Hundred Poems”) as part of the “Artist in Hotel” program at the Park Hotel Tokyo.
In March 2015, Ms. Inkyo gave a workshop and demonstration, themed “The Tale of Genji” at Middlebury College in Vermont to celebrate their acquisition of an authentic historical Japanese folding screen (byōbu). Also in 2015, the Harrison Public Library completely renovated their building and placed a piece of Masako Inkyo’s art on permanent display in the newly refurbished premises. More recently, Masako made several Shodo designs for the newly opened Morimoto Asia Restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Masako Inkyo’s art was featured in the book, 100 New York Calligraphers.
In February 2017 she conducted a demonstration and workshop at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA.
In May 2017 she conducted a performance at an event hosted by Shiseido NY to introduce a new line of cosmetics at Urban Zen in New York City.
In June 2017 Ms. Inkyo participated in the “Peace Is…” series of events hosted by the United Nations in New York City, where she conducted a mixed-media performance in collaboration with opera singer Sahoko Sato Timpone.
In September 2017 New York City restaurant Uchu (宇宙) opened. Ms. Inkyo designed the logo for this Japanese restaurant and whisky bar.
In April 2018 the two-week art event ON LOVE was hosted at Brookfield Place, where Masako Inkyo contributed to the art installation and gave a calligraphy performance, creating a large artwork with the characters running from the top to the bottom of the paper.
In September 2018 Amabuki Sake Brewery, well known for its sake that is 100% handcrafted with blossom yeast, released a range of sake featuring labels which Ms Inkyo had designed.
In November 2018 Ms. Inkyo participated in an event inside JC Penny in New York, hosted by Shiseido for their partners at Sephora, where she made customized calligraphy paintings as gifts for the guests.
In December 2018 Ms. Inkyo expanded her art to ceramics, working with the Kaburaki Kutani Porcelain Shop and Museum in Kanazawa, Japan, to create her own line of porcelain ware. She hand-painted her own original calligraphy and designs, in keeping with this local tradition known for its deep, vivid coloring and highly detailed and elaborate designs that feature elements of nature.
In February, 2019 Connecticut College hosted an event themed after Heike Monogatari (The Tale of Heike), where Ms. Inkyo created her calligraphy art on a 10 foot long sheet of Washi paper.
In April, 2019 Ms. Inkyo participated in her second Shiseido event. This time the theme was the introduction of a new product line, WASO, which is aimed at a younger generation of consumers.
In July, 2019 Ms. Inkyo added her calligraphy art to the Team USA logo at United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties ‘One Year Out’ to Tokyo 2020 Partner Reception
On December 6, 2019 Ms Inkyo collaborated with composer musician Phyllis Chen and choreographer / dancer Jodi Melnick at the Baryshnikov Arts Center NYC. Inspired by the moving meditation of East Asian calligraphy painting this mixed media performance investigates the movements made by performance calligraphists: choreographed, efficient, and unfalteringly committed. This work-in-progress examines the intersection between traditional Shodo calligraphy performance and live music.
Masako Inkyo has achieved an extensive portfolio of artwork and design and her art has been featured in numerous exhibitions.
Please view the Art section for a selection on www.masako-inkyo.com for more detail.
Ms. Inkyo continues to undertake various design commissions.
Education
Yasuda University, Hiroshima, Japan: studied under Professor Masao Inoue
- Bachelor’s Degree in Japanese Literature and Calligraphy
- Licenses (文科省教員免許) to teach Shodo in elementary, middle and high school and also to teach Japanese Literature in middle and high school (accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Education).
Professional Credentials
Top level teaching certificate for Shodo (毛筆書写検定) and Pen Calligraphy (硬筆書写検定) issued by the Japanese Ministry of Education.
Highest rank of Master in two of Japan’s largest professional Shodo associations, Seihitsu Kai (正筆会) and Senshin Kai (洗心会) in the subjects:
- Kana
- Kanji
- Pen Calligraphy
Awards
Global Shodo Competition in the International Japanese Calligraphy Exhibition 2016, sponsored by Yasuda University:
- Best Award in Design
- Best Award in Kanji