Japanese calligrapher and artist Mitsuru Nagata Sensei visits Ruse

Tuesday, 06 October 2026

On Wednesday, October 21, Ruse will host an event as part of the "Week of Japanese Aesthetics with Sensei Mitsuru Nagata." This cultural initiative is organized by the "Kokoro" Japanese Cultural Center with the support of Ruse Municipality, the Embassy of Japan in Bulgaria, Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, Nihon Tomono Kai (Friends of Japan in Bulgaria), and Stargate Maritime; it is part of the 37th Days of Japanese Culture in Bulgaria, organized by the Embassy of Japan.

The event’s guest will be Sensei Mitsuru Nagata, a Japanese calligrapher and artist, and a master of *shodo* and *sumi-e*. The program will take place at Angel Kanchev University of Ruse, featuring a *shodo* and *sumi-e* workshop for university students at 2:30 PM, followed by a demonstration open to the general public at 6:30 PM. Admission is free.

During the demonstration, attendees will be able to witness the live creation of artworks using traditional Japanese brushes and ink, and gain insight into the philosophy, techniques, and aesthetics behind these centuries-old art forms. *Shodo* is the traditional Japanese art of calligraphy, in which the written character becomes a reflection of the artist's movement, rhythm, character, and inner state. *Sumi-e* is a form of Japanese ink wash painting rooted in simplicity and balance, capturing the essence of an image through minimal brushstrokes. Mitsuru Nagata was born in 1979 in Kyoto, Japan, and currently lives and works in Barcelona. He holds the rank of *shihan*—a master instructor of Japanese calligraphy—awarded by the Futaba Shodo Kai school, and holds a degree in Sociology from Bukkyo University in Kyoto. Nagata-sensei participates in exhibitions, cultural initiatives, demonstrations, and hands-on workshops in Japan, Spain, and other countries, actively working to promote Japanese culture to international audiences.

In 2026, Mitsuru Nagata received an award of merit from the Consulate General of Japan in Barcelona in recognition of his contributions to cultural exchange and the promotion of Japanese culture.

The "Week of Japanese Aesthetics with Mitsuru Nagata-sensei," held in October, also includes stops in Sofia and Varna. His visit to Ruse offers a unique opportunity to experience traditional Japanese arts firsthand, presented through the living practice of a contemporary Japanese master.

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