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Tomoko Oka|Sydney | Japanese Calligraphy & Art
Japanese Calligraphy & Art
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About

About

Hi! I’m Tomoko. I’m a Japanese calligraphy artist with 18 years’ experience. I do ;

  • large-brush calligraphy performances
  • calligraphy commissions
  • abstract ink-art commissions for private & business clients
  • sumi-e artworks

I’m also available to run calligraphy and sumi-e workshops, and provide calligraphy & translations at events and functions.

My calligraphy, sumi-e and abstract works have been used in restaurants, accommodation, on various products, and in advertising campaigns for major brands, both Australian and Japanese, such as Opera Australia, Japan Airlines, Sokyo Restaurant etc.

My performances and event engagements have included;

  • large-brush performances for private galleries, festivals, wineries (etc)
  • bespoke name-card writing (for guests of corporate or sales events, product launches, etc)
  • live sumi-e artwork creation for business functions
  • calligraphy & sumi-e workshops at galleries

I really enjoy sharing Japanese culture through my passion for calligraphy and the beauty of the Japanese aesthetic. I love interacting people with my art and Japanese culture.

I was born in Japan, and moved to Australia in 2011. I’m based in Sydney and the Central Coast (NSW, Australia.) I can travel for events further afield.

If you’d like to get in touch to discuss a project, please contact me via Contact page.

Selected Commissions

  • 2025  Commissioned calligraphy for Kinji restaurant, Ettalong
  • 2025  Commissioned calligraphy for Tourism Australia, Sydney
  • 2025  Commissioned calligraphy for The Narrow Road to the Deep North (Prime Video AU)
  • 2025  Commissioned calligraphy for Edomae Sushi restaurant, Haymarket, Sydney
  • 2024  Commissioned calligraphy for Sapporo Beer, Sydney
  • 2024  Commissioned calligraphy for Jinsei-Ryu Karate school, Ultimo, Sydney
  • 2024  Commissioned calligraphy for Uomichi restaurant, Townhall, Sydney
  • 2023  Commissioned calligraphy for Yakiniku Yokocho, Burwood, Sydney
  • 2022  Commissioned abstract artworks for Kazan Dining, Sydney
  • 2021  Commissioned mural abstract artworks, menu designs for Sokyo restaurant, Sydney
  • 2021  Commissioned calligraphy menu plaques for Edomae Sushi, Burwood, Sydney
  • 2020  Commissioned calligraphy for Harmony Day event for Central Coast Council
  • 2020  Commissioned calligraphy for Australian Taiko Academy
  • 2020  Commissioned abstract artworks for Yasaka Japanese Dining, Long Jetty
  • 2019  Commissioned calligraphy for Urban Chic Property Styling, Sydney
  • 2019  Commissioned calligraphy for Jodo school, Sydney
  • 2018  Commissioned ink art (Sumi-e) and calligraphy for Japan Airline promotions
  • 2018  Commissioned brushwork art for an Opera Australia promotions

Events

  • 2025  Large scale calligraphy performance, name-cards for guests, for Fujitsu Australia, Sydney
  • 2025  Calligraphy demonstration/workshop (150 people) for Suntory Oceania, Sydney
  • 2025  Sumi-e workshop at Small Forest Winery, Upper Hunter NSW
  • 2025  Sumi-e Masterclass at Gosford Regional Gallery
  • 2024  Calligraphy demonstration for Newcastle University, Newcastle NSW
  • 2024  Calligraphy workshops for Central Coast Council at Umina Beach Library NSW
  • 2024  Large scale calligraphy performance,workshops, for Koyo Festival, Cowra NSW
  • 2023  Live Sumi-e performance for Japanese Film Festival in Sydney
  • 2023  Calligraphy workshops for the Harmony day event, Gosford Regional Gallery
  • 2022  Large scale calligraphy performance for Citizenship ceremony at Art House, Wyong
  • 2022  Large scale calligraphy performance for Multicultural Expo, Erina NSW
  • 2022  Large scale calligraphy performances at Gosford Regional Gallery
  • 2022  Large scale calligraphy performance at Lexus, Sydney
  • 2021  Calligraphy demonstration for Daniel San restaurant, Manly
  • 2021  Calligraphy workshops online for Google Sydney
  • 2019  Calligraphy workshops for Haiku group, Pearl Beach
  • 2019  Calligraphy workshops and sumi-e workshops at Bamboo Buddha, Holgate
  • 2019  Calligraphy workshops for Georges River Council, Sydney
  • 2019  Sumi-e demonstration at a brand launch event for Nikko Asset Management Australia
  • 2018  Calligraphy demonstration and workshops at Gosford Regional Gallery
  • 2018  Large scale calligraphy performance at Dangrove, Sydney
  • 2018  Large scale calligraphy performance at Small Forest Winery, Upper Hunter
  • 2018  Calligraphy demonstrations for brand launch events for Camilla Australia, Sydney

Selected Exhibitions

  • 2025 Solo Exhibition, The Crane and the Kookaburra, Gosford Regional Gallery NSW
  • 2024 Solo Exhibition, Small Forest, Upper Hunter NSW
  • 2023 Group Exhibition, Sounds of Sumi, Blank Gallery, Sydney
  • 2019 Solo Exhibition, Bamboo Buddha, Holgate NSW
  • 2019 Solo Exhibition, Whispered Black, Small Forest, Upper Hunter NSW

Media

Telling a story of cross cultural understanding through Japanese Sumi-e
The Japan Foundation Sydney – Directory listing
Central Coast Council   “Changing Faces“
SBS Japanese  “Finding the joy of Japanese calligraphy again in Australia”
Celebrating Women in Japan
Japaralia – Article

Event documents

Working with Children Check
Public liability insurance

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