Stroke of inspiration: Yoko Kamiharako hands out calligraphic works to women attending the opening of a joint exhibition with two other calligraphers in HCM City. — VNS Photo Van Dat

HCM CITY  (VNS) — Two Japanese calligraphers, along with a Vietnamese calligrapher who has been their tutor for nearly a year, are holding a joint exhibition titled Duyen (Predestined Affinity), displaying 60 of their works in HCM City.

Duong Minh Hoang, who often features women in his calligraphy, said the three artists wanted to celebrate Vietnamese Women's Day, which fell yesterday.

Hoang, 30, said that despite language barriers, the three calligraphers had been able to share feelings through brush, ink and paper.

In their works, Takano Misako reveals her talent in Japanese calligraphy and Yoko Kamiharako depicts her mood after living in Viet Nam for three years by using Vietnamese script and lotus flowers.

Kamiharako, 41, said that her primary objective was to merge Vietnamese and Japanese calligraphy.

Her works are represented in three groups: past, present and future.

"Before I arrived in Viet Nam, I had mixed feelings of fear and uncertainty of an unknown people and its culture. In another group of my calligraphy works representing my future, I wanted to grow into a gorgeous lotus flower," she said.

Kamiharako's calligraphy training began in her childhood. After a 10-year hiatus, she resumed her hobby two years ago in Viet Nam, where she has learned how to use the Roman alphabet in Vietnamese calligraphy.

Misako, 56, has taught calligraphy in Japan for 18 years.

The two Japanese women will hold a lecture about the art of Japanese calligraphy on Saturday at 9am at 20 Thu Khoa Huan Street, Ben Thanh Ward, in HCM City's District 1. The exhibition at the same location will close on Sunday. — VNS