NOREN Exhibition
When
Where
Price
Free. No RSVP required.
About
Designed by calligrapher Kuniharu Yoshida, with support from Mimi Wada and Kohei Matsuno, this installation features 24 norens, fabric dividers traditionally hung in doorways, each inscribed with a word or phrase that welcomes visitors into the space.
Students from the Shodō for Little Tokyo Class of 2025 selected, practiced, and wrote these expressions. The class is a free Japanese calligraphy program for senior residents, organized by the Sustainable Little Tokyo initiative. Over seven months, students gathered weekly to study and practice shodō, or “the way” of artistic Japanese calligraphy.
Yoshida drew inspiration from childhood memories of living with his grandmother, in a home where norens divided daily life. He was moved by the dual role of norens, not only as physical boundaries, but as quiet symbols of welcome that connect individuals to a larger community. Their simple, deliberate forms partially veil doorways, shaping the environment and inviting people to enter and engage.
This installation invites reflection on how we relate to space, tradition, and community, and offers a quiet hope for deeper relationships between neighborhoods and the people who call them home.
Gallery
Left Row
Middle Row
Right Row
Meet the Teachers
Kuniharu Yoshida
Kuni is a Japanese calligrapher and hip-hop dancer. He was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, into a family of generational master calligraphers and is currently based in Los Angeles, CA.
In 1990, at the age of six, he began studying Japanese calligraphy under Master Yoshiko Kawakita. After practicing traditional calligraphy for two decades, he began experimenting and collaborating with artists to blend the sublime arts—merging the traditional with the contemporary. Respect between cultures is the foundation of Kuniharu’s distinctive work, which aims to intertwine not only art forms but also audiences. He believes that art is a powerful way to foster understanding among people of diverse backgrounds while conveying one’s culture in a clear and accessible way.
Most notably, his work has been featured in the Ueno Art Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum with Tamayura-kai and Atelier Cosmos. He has also performed for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Netflix, and Sony Electronics. In recent years, Kuniharu has expanded into directing and producing; his short film First Street North won Best Documentary Short at the 2019 Asian Film Festival of Dallas.
Kohei Matsuno
Born in Kyoto, Kohei began practicing calligraphy in 2018. Through each stroke, he shares messages of mindfulness and inner peace. You can find his booth at locations across Los Angeles, including the Santa Monica Pier.
Mimi Wada
Born and raised in Tokyo, Mimi began practicing calligraphy at the age of six and earned her master certification by sixteen. After moving to California, she built a career across fashion and media, while continuing to collaborate through calligraphy with brands, restaurants, and artists.
Things To Know
Accessibility
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. To be respectful of those with allergies and environmental sensitivities, we ask that you please refrain from wearing strong fragrances. To request an accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact mise@jaccc.org.
Plan Your Visit
JACCC is a 7-minute walk from the L.A. Metro Rail's Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, which connects to both the A and E lines via the Regional Connector.
For additional transportation options and parking details, check out Go Little Tokyo's Guide to the area here.
Related
June 19 & July 18, 2025