Fifteenth Annual International
Zen Calligraphy Intensive
June 8-14, 2026
Kazuaki Tanahashi with Christine Renden Haggarty
“Join us in the intimate and creative study of calligraphy in an unspeakably beautiful and spiritual setting.” - Kaz
Kazuaki Tanahashi is a world renowned calligrapher, painter, Zen scholar, author, and translator of Buddhist texts including works by Zen Master Dogen. Also a peace activitist and a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.
Kazuaki Tanahashi is a world renowned calligrapher, painter, Zen scholar, author, and translator of Buddhist texts including works by Zen Master Dogen. Also a peace activitist and a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.
Enhance your experience with East Asian calligraphy and imbue your spirit this week with your artistic interests. Please join us while we work together to explore this realm.
Daily activities will include meditation, readings of Zen texts, presentations on the history of East Asian calligraphy and Qigong exercises. You will practice with formal, semi-cursive, and cursive characters as well as their artistic interpretations during studio time. You will learn how to paint your favorite phrases, then mount your calligraphy for display. You will experiment with brushes and paper of different sizes, painting with black ink and watercolors. Kaz Sensei will work with participants to develop their own artistic names.
The intensive will be held at Mercy Center, an internationally known conference and retreat center near San Francisco Airport. A former convent on 40 acres, Mercy Center is an oasis of quiet, contemplative living.
Kazuaki Tanahashi is a worldrenowned calligrapher, painter, Zen scholar, author, and translator of Buddhist texts including works by Zen Master Dogen. Also a peace activitist and a Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science.
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Participants of the 2025 Intensive
Christine Renden Haggarty is a Zen practitioner, artist and instructor who lives in Northern California. For over 20 years she has been practicing East Asian calligraphy and has studied with several Asian masters. For more information about Christine go to www.zenbrush.net.
Accommodations: Single rooms with communal bathroom.
Transportation: AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED. A BART train runs from SFO to Millbrae Station for $4.00 take an Uber from there or from the airport. Depending on your country of origin, travel documents may be required; please check on what documents you may need for entering the United States.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the fee. There are no special menu requests taken, but the food is ample to fit any dietary restrictions. Request a sample menu, if you are concerned.
Deposit: Please ccontact Christine at zenbrush@yahoo.com to be placed on the list of participants. Prior to Feb. 1, 2026 (early registration) the cost is $1985 for a single room, fully inclusive of lodging, meals, tuition, and materials. After Feb. 1, 2026, the cost is $2200 fully inclusive. Initial deposits (half of the total fee - $1000) should be received by Feb. 1, 2026. Final payment should be received by April 1st. For more information and a tentative schedule, go to zenbrush.net. The workshop is limited to 25 participants.
Cancellation: These percentages will only apply if we can not find a replacement participant. For a cancellation request before the workshop, a cancellation fee of 25% of the total cost will be levied. A cancellation less than 40 days before the workshop, a 25% cancellation fee will be changed, AS LONG AS WE HAVE A REPLACEMENT PARTICIPANT, otherwise a 75% cancellation fee will be charged. Extreme circumstances will be taken into consideration.
Comments from participants
Putting the book together
Room
Daily Qigong
"Wonderful opportunity to study, practice and grow as a person and an artist. Generous teachers and a kind, caring community of people."
"I'm excited to integrate this week's experience into my ongoing art practice."
"Kaz and Christine are an amazing team to help
everyone in all aspects of calligraphy and how to present finished artworks."
"The wet mounting is an important help in completing the creative process."
"Lunch or dinner with Kaz was a very special feature."
"I really liked all the films that were shown, which enriched the experience."
“I loved that it started at the most basic level and progressed each day. Also, we were encouraged to go beyond our current level and explore other ways of expressing ourselves."
"This retreat included special events and perks not included in other ones I've attended. Loved the wet mounting and making a book of my artwork."
"Overall it was an extraordinary experience. Being cared for in the instruction and a wonderful blend of activies.”
Learn how to wet mount
The Grounds
Walk the Labyrinth
Field Trip to Kaz’s Studio
Zendo
Studio