🎎 Create Your Own Pocket Daruma

Japanese Calligraphy × Illustration with Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh & Stephanie Brown

Create a Daruma. Write your wish. Carry your goal with you.

What if you could carry a little Daruma — and the goal it represents — wherever you go?

Join Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh and Edinburgh-based illustrator Stephanie Brown for a special two-hour creative workshop combining Japanese calligraphy, illustration and Daruma culture.

Together, you'll create your own Pocket Daruma: a tiny six-page handmade zine inspired by the traditional Japanese Daruma.

Inside, you'll combine calligraphy and illustration with something personal to you — a wish, goal or ambition you want to keep working towards.

Slip it into your pocket, bag or wallet and take it home as a little reminder:

Keep going. Stay focused. Take the next step.

No calligraphy or drawing experience is needed. Just come with a wish. ✨

🎨 What will you create?

Over two relaxed, hands-on hours, Japanese calligrapher Mare Ito and illustrator Stephanie Brown will guide you through creating your own six-page Pocket Daruma from start to finish. 

🎎 Design your Daruma

Create your own playful Daruma illustration for the cover, combining Japanese brushwork with your own personality and style.

🖌️ Try Japanese calligraphy

Pick up a traditional Japanese brush and try writing 「福」(Fuku) — the Japanese character for good fortune — using black or coloured ink.

🌈 Choose a colour with meaning

Discover the meanings commonly associated with different Daruma colours and choose one that connects with your own wish or goal.

🎯 Give your Daruma a purpose

Think of something you genuinely want to achieve, experience or work towards — big or small — and write it inside your Pocket Daruma.

🌸 Make it your own

Complete your little zine with Japanese-inspired illustrations, colours and details. Every Pocket Daruma will be different.

🧧 Take it with you

Fold everything into a tiny six-page keepsake small enough to carry in your pocket, bag or wallet — or keep somewhere you'll see it every day.

🌸 But what exactly is a Daruma?

A Daruma (達磨) is one of Japan's most recognisable traditional figures. With its round shape and determined expression, it has become closely associated with perseverance, resilience and working towards a goal.

Traditionally, a person chooses a goal or wish and keeps the Daruma as a visual reminder while working towards it.

The idea isn't simply to make a wish and wait for something to happen.

It's about continuing to move towards it.

That's the inspiration behind our Pocket Daruma.

Instead of buying a Daruma, you'll create something yourself — combining Japanese tradition with your own artwork, your own words and your own story.

A small zine. A personal goal. A reminder to keep going.

🤝 Two Artists, Two Creative Worlds

This is a special collaboration between Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh and Edinburgh-based illustrator Stephanie Brown.

Mare brings Japanese calligraphy, brushwork and Daruma culture.

Stephanie brings illustration, zine-making and her own playful creative approach.

Together, they'll help you explore what happens when these two creative worlds meet — while leaving plenty of space for your Pocket Daruma to become completely your own.

Whether you're curious about Japanese culture, enjoy drawing and making things, or simply want to spend a Sunday afternoon trying something new, you're very welcome.

No previous Japanese, calligraphy or drawing experience is required.

📍 Workshop Details

Date: Sunday, 13 September 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh West End — Lobby

Instructor: Mare / Wayfarer Shodo Edinburgh (Licensed calligrapher from Japan) & Steph / CoomoArt (Edinburgh based illustrator)

💷 £35 per person

👥 Maximum 12 participants

🎨 All materials provided

🌱 Complete beginners welcome

With only 12 places and two artists guiding the workshop, the session will stay small, relaxed and hands-on.

Workshop Flow

• Ice breaking and introduction to the theme (Daruma) and zine (15 mins)
• Grinding ink to calm the mind and prepare for calligraphy practice (5 mins)
• Introduction to brush handling & basic writing techniques (5 mins)
• Zine making and calligraphy practice from time to time (85 mins)
• Take photos, post social media and write a review (20 mins)

What You Will Learn

• Basic Japanese calligraphy brush techniques
• How to prepare traditional Japanese ink
• The cultural meaning of Daruma in Japan
• Creating your own Japanese style zine

Included

• All calligraphy materials
• Official Japanese calligraphy paper
• Guidance throughout the workshop
• Your completed artwork to take home

Who Can Join?

• All ages
• Beginners welcome
• Suitable for anyone interested in Japanese culture, art, mindfulness, or creative experiences

Notes

• Please arrive 10–15 minutes before the workshop starts.
• Comfortable clothing is recommended as ink may stain.

Testimonial from previous workshop participants

• "Excellent — the workshop was a highly worthwhile experience. I'm definitely going to come to more."
• "Thank you for such an enjoyable and inspiring workshop. I left feeling motivated to continue developing my calligraphy skills."
• "As a first timer, I felt extremely welcomed and left feeling happy with myself."

Refund Policy

Refund requests are accepted up to 7 days before the event.

Unfortunately, refunds cannot be issued within 7 days of the event due to venue bookings, preparation of workshop materials, and catering arrangements.

If the event is cancelled by the organiser, attendees will receive a full refund in accordance with Eventbrite's organiser policy.