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Calligraphy & Tattoo · Kyoto

One stroke,for life.

Brush calligraphy on paper and on skin, by Sayaka Ueno. Every line drawn once, slowly, by hand.

Book a sitting See the work
The practice

Four ways to carry a line.

The studio works with one brush and one ink. The same hand that writes your scroll draws your tattoo, so both share the pressure, pause and breath of a single stroke.

  1. 01

    Brush-script tattoo

    Words, names and single characters drawn freehand onto skin with a brush, then tattooed stroke for stroke.

    By appointment
  2. 02

    Fine-line ink work

    Botanicals, ensō circles and quiet marks in single-needle line work that ages softly.

    Consult first
  3. 03

    Calligraphy commissions

    Scrolls, wedding pieces, shop signs and gifts on handmade washi, sealed with a vermilion hanko.

    Made to order
  4. 04

    Tea & brush sessions

    Small-table afternoons: grind your own ink, learn eight basic strokes, then take home your first sheet.

    Groups of six
Studio details

Quiet room, clear terms.

Sittings
One client at a timeThe room is closed while you are in the chair.
Ink
Vegan, sterile, single usePaper work uses hand-ground sumi.
Deposit
Sample: held for 7 daysDemo terms. Set your own.
Age
18 and overPhoto ID at every tattoo sitting.
How a piece is made

Slow is the point.

  1. Tell us the words

    Send the phrase, name or feeling. Share where it will live: a wall, a gift, a wrist.

  2. Brush sketches

    We write it by hand twenty or thirty times and send you the three that breathe best.

  3. Placement or paper

    For tattoos we brush the chosen stroke straight onto skin so it follows your shape. For paper, we pick the sheet together.

  4. The sitting

    Tea first. Then one unhurried session, with breaks whenever you want them.

  5. Aftercare and seal

    Written aftercare for skin; a vermilion hanko and mounting advice for paper.

Kind words

From the chair.

“The line on my arm looks like it was written, not tattooed. That is exactly what I asked for.”
Client, forearm scriptSample quote
“We framed our wedding scroll the day it arrived. Guests still ask who wrote it.”
Client, commissionSample quote
“Two hours, one pot of tea, and I left with a page of strokes I was proud of.”
Guest, tea sessionSample quote
Questions

Before you book.

Can you write in any language?

We work in Latin and East Asian scripts. For a language we do not read, we ask a native speaker to check the text before any ink touches skin.

Does brush-script tattooing hurt more?

No. The brush sketch is only on the surface. The tattoo itself is fine-line work, usually gentler than bold fills.

How long until a commission is ready?

It depends on size and paper. We give you a date when you approve the sketches, and we keep to it.

Can I bring a friend to a sitting?

One guest is welcome. There is tea for both of you.

Do you do cover-ups?

Sometimes, when a light line can sit gracefully over the old work. Send a clear photo and we will be honest with you.

Book a sitting

Start with a word.

Tell us what you want to carry, on paper or on skin. Sayaka Ueno replies to every message personally.

Thank you.

Your note is on the table. Expect a reply with brush sketches soon. (Demo form: nothing was sent.)