PIE 3-4 and the five treasures of calligraphy at Kings Elementary

Warwick - “Konnichi wa, Sensei Inkyo,” chorused the children, bowing. Kings Elementary School’s PIE third- and fourth-graders were eager to show off the greeting they had learned in preparation for the much-anticipated recent visit of master calligrapher, Masako Inkyo. PIE (Partners In Education) is a Warwick Valley School District program that encourages experiential learning and parent involvement. With this in mind, one PIE parent - Eric Gerstein - arranged to make painting Japanese “word-pictures” a hands-on experience for his son, Teddy, and 40 other students, parents and teachers by arranging to have the master calligrapher visit Warwick. Inkyo holds a masters degree and three gold medal awards in the art of shodo. Her work (www.masako-inkyo.com) has been exhibited at several New York City galleries and she has performed numerous demonstrations for cultural workshops, major corporate events and film promotions. Currently teaching calligraphy with the Japan Society of New York, Inkyo instantly connected with the children. “I couldn’t believe she’s been learning calligraphy since she was three,” remarked one child. Added PIE teacher Nancy Nachtigal: “Having Ms. Inkyo here has made learning about Japan come alive for the students. Our children learned that shodo requires five treasures: A paintbrush, ink, an ink stone, rice paper and beauty in the heart. Masako has shown them all five.” This story was provided by John DeSanto.