About Megumi:
Japanese Calligrapher/Japanese Language Instructor
One word to describe me: passion
I love to see faces light up and hearts fill with joy as my students learn through individualized activities and stories I tailor. My mission is to provide cultural resources to those who are interested in learning the Japanese language and to share the joy that empowers us to become better selves.
Background
Born and raised in Osaka, Japan, I came to the U.S to study English literature and poetry. As I immersed myself in the beautiful rhythm and rhymes in English, I rediscovered my roots in the Japanese language and culture. While working for Japanese-based companies in Atlanta, GA, I started finding ways to teach Japanese.
Over 20 years, I have taught students of all ages: from toddlers and small children, youth and tweens, to young and seasoned adults.
Under many organizations and groups, I’ve served many students in meeting their unique purposes and goals to offer variety of personalized lessons in:
Calligraphy instruction
Language and cultural immersion classes
Cultural workshops and activities
Classroom visits and presentations
Summer camp activities
Japanese cultural crafts and filed trips
Japanese as a heritage language education
Private lessons
Since 2002, I have been studying Japanese calligraphy and ink painting under Horino Seisen in Atlanta, Georgia. I am a member of Shihan Kai (master’s association) and a certified calligraphy instructor of Horino Shodo School in Japan.
I am a member of Kids Japanese Language Teachers International Association (KJLTIA) and listed as a Professional Teacher. I completed Nihongo As Foreign Language (NAFL) Program thorough distance learning with ALC Press, Inc in Japan.
I am a podcast host of “Finding Treasures,” broadcasting both in Japanese and in English. Within six months, it has over 1000 downloads and listened in over 165 cities in 17 countries worldwide.
Other Interests
When I am not holding a brush nor singing Japanese songs with children, I am teaching Gracie Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Santa Cruz. I am the first Japanese female to be certified under the Gracie University Instructor Certification Program in Torrance, CA. I am very passionate to share and spread the art of jiu-jitsu to children and adults and help them find their way to be empowered.
I enjoy making 3-D paper shadow boxes and découpage craft. I love observing the sky and taking nature photography to capture the beauty of the world. My favorite music is classical, blue grass, and heavy metal. I love poetry, history, and comedy from my hometown Osaka.
I currently reside in the heart of Silicon Valley, Cupertino, CA, serving the communities in the Bay Area and beyond.
Awards & Certificates:
• Shodo no Hanamichi Graphology Master, Beginner Level Certificate
• Hogan Note Method Trainer Certificate, Japan Note Method Association
• Olympic Year Award, Japanese Calligraphy Audition Shodo no Hanamichi, Tokyo, Japan
• KJLTIA Professional Kids Japanese Instructor Certificate
• Gracie University Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Certificate
• Horino Shodo School Japanese Calligraphy Instructor Certificate