Aikido of Hilo invites public to learn Zen brush art

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Aikido of Hilo invites the public to learn Zenga (Zen brush art) with master practitioner John Stevens from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 31 at the dojo at 29 Shipman St. in Hilo.

Aikido of Hilo invites the public to learn Zenga (Zen brush art) with master practitioner John Stevens from 2-5 p.m. Aug. 31 at the dojo at 29 Shipman St. in Hilo.

Stevens has a seventh-degree black belt in aikido and is a world-renowned master instructor. He was a noted professor of Buddhist Studies at Tohoku Fukushi University in Sendai, Japan, and has written more than 30 books about Aikido, Buddhism and Asian culture.

Zenga is a style of Japanese calligraphy and painting, done in ink. In many instances, the calligraphy and image will be in the same piece. The calligraphy denotes a poem, or saying, that teaches some element of the true path of Zen. The brush painting is characteristically simple, bold and abstract.

“The Zenga Workshop is really a great opportunity for the community to come and learn a Japanese art form, that helps one realize their path to enlightenment, from one of the best known teachers in the world,” said Aikido of Hilo Chief Instructor, Barbara Klein.

The fee for the entire workshop, including paper and use of brushes, is $20. For more information about the Zenga workshop or the Japanese martial art of Aikido, call 935-2454.