Our Online Japanese Art Courses
Welcome to Sakura Arts Academy's comprehensive catalog of online Japanese art courses. We offer a diverse selection of classes designed for artists of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners. Explore the rich traditions and contemporary innovations of Japanese art from the comfort of your own home. Our expert instructors, based in Tokyo and around the world, are dedicated to providing high-quality instruction and personalized feedback.
Shodo: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy
Discover the beauty and discipline of Shodo, the art of Japanese calligraphy. Learn the fundamental brushstrokes, techniques, and aesthetic principles that have shaped this ancient art form for centuries. This course will guide you through the creation of various calligraphic styles, from elegant kana characters to powerful kanji expressions. You'll gain a deep appreciation for the history and cultural significance of Shodo.
Instructor: Aiko Tanaka, Sensei
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Duration: 12 weeks
| Week | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Shodo |
History, tools, and basic posture.
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| 2 | Basic Brushstrokes |
Learn the eight fundamental strokes.
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| 3 | Hiragana Practice |
Writing the Japanese phonetic alphabet.
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| 4 | Kanji Fundamentals |
Introduction to Chinese characters.
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| 5 | Vertical Writing |
Arranging characters in a vertical format.
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| 6 | Composition Techniques |
Balancing elements within the artwork.
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| 7 | Intermediate Kanji |
Expanding vocabulary and character complexity.
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| 8 | Style Variations |
Exploring different calligraphic styles.
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| 9 | Creating Artwork |
Combining learned techniques into a piece.
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| 10 | Advanced Stroke Refinement |
Improving line quality and consistency.
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| 11 | Personal Style Development |
Finding your unique calligraphic voice.
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| 12 | Final Project |
Completing a final calligraphic artwork.
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Sumi-e: Black Ink Painting
Immerse yourself in the serene world of Sumi-e, the art of Japanese black ink painting. Learn how to capture the essence of nature through minimalist brushstrokes and subtle gradations of ink. This course will guide you through the techniques of painting bamboo, landscapes, and other traditional subjects. Master Kenji Sato will share his expertise in ink blending, brush control, and composition to help you create expressive and evocative Sumi-e paintings.
Instructor: Kenji Sato, Master
Level: All Levels
Duration: 8 weeks
| Week | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to Sumi-e |
History, philosophy, and materials overview.
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| 2 | Basic Brush Techniques |
Loading the brush, controlling ink flow.
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| 3 | Painting Bamboo |
Techniques for creating realistic bamboo.
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| 4 | Landscape Elements |
Painting mountains, water, and trees.
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| 5 | Composition in Sumi-e |
Balancing elements, creating depth.
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| 6 | Painting Flowers and Birds |
Techniques for detailed subjects.
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| 7 | Advanced Ink Techniques |
Dry brush, wet wash, and texture effects.
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| 8 | Final Project |
Creating a complete Sumi-e painting.
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Manga & Anime Illustration
Unleash your creativity and learn to create captivating manga and anime illustrations in this comprehensive online course. Hana Ishikawa, a professional manga artist, will guide you through the fundamentals of character design, storytelling, and digital painting techniques. You'll learn how to develop unique characters, create dynamic compositions, and master the art of coloring and shading. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this course will help you bring your manga and anime visions to life.
Instructor: Hana Ishikawa
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Duration: 16 weeks
| Week | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | Character Design Basics |
Proportions, anatomy, and style development.
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| 3-4 | Facial Expressions |
Drawing eyes, mouths, and emotions.
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| 5-6 | Clothing and Accessories |
Designing outfits, adding details.
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| 7-8 | Posing and Action |
Creating dynamic poses and movement.
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| 9-10 | Storyboarding |
Creating visual narratives, panel layout.
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| 11-12 | Digital Painting Fundamentals |
Software, tools, and color theory.
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| 13-14 | Shading and Lighting |
Adding depth and realism.
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| 15-16 | Final Project |
Creating a short manga page.
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Ukiyo-e: Woodblock Printing
Step back in time and learn the intricate art of Ukiyo-e, the traditional Japanese woodblock printing technique. Akari Yamato, a specialist in Ukiyo-e history and printmaking, will guide you through the entire process, from carving the woodblocks to inking and printing the final image. You'll learn about the history and cultural significance of Ukiyo-e, and create your own stunning prints inspired by masters like Hokusai and Hiroshige. This course provides a unique opportunity to preserve and celebrate this important art form.
Instructor: Akari Yamato
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Duration: 10 weeks
| Week | Topic | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | History and Materials |
Ukiyo-e's origins, tools needed.
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| 2 | Wood Preparation and Carving |
Techniques for carving woodblocks.
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| 3 | Key Block Carving |
Mastering the main outline block.
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| 4 | Color Separations |
Preparing color blocks.
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| 5 | Inking and Printing |
Applying ink, using the baren.
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| 6 | Registration Techniques |
Aligning multiple blocks.
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| 7 | Color Mixing and Application |
Achieving the right colors.
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| 8 | Advanced Carving Techniques |
Fine details, textures.
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| 9 | Printing Multiple Colors |
Achieving seamless blends.
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| 10 | Final Project |
Creating a complete Ukiyo-e print.
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