Where tradition meets quiet, modern design.

Why Hand-Made Matters

In a world of fast, digital art, hand-made calligraphy carries a different presence.
Each brushstroke is a moment—formed by breath, pressure, and intention.
No two pieces are ever identical. You can feel the artist’s pace, emotion, and discipline within every line.

BrushForma’s hand-made pieces follow traditional Japanese methods, adapted with a minimalist, contemporary eye. Every artwork is crafted personally by Assaa in San Diego, using tools shaped by centuries of calligraphy practice.

 

The Materials

Chosen with intention, finished with care.

Washi Paper (和紙)

Authentic Japanese washi, sourced from small papermakers.

• Light yet durable

• Beautiful natural texture

• Absorbs sumi ink in soft, organic gradients
  Each sheet behaves differently—making every artwork truly one-of-one.

Artisan Calligraphy Brushes (筆)

Hand-assembled brushes made of natural fibers, chosen to create fluid movement and strong contrast.

Sumi Ink (墨)

High-quality sumi ink, either hand-ground on an ink stone or prepared from traditional blocks.
The depth of black—its softness or intensity—depends on how long it is ground and how much water is added.

Specialty Papers (Gasenshi, Torinoko)

Depending on the piece, different papers achieve different moods:

• Gasenshi (画仙紙) – classic calligraphy paper with strong absorbency

• Torinoko (鳥の子紙) – smooth, slightly warm-toned, elegant for modern piece
  

The Making Process

Every piece is produced slowly and intentionally.

1. Preparing the Workspace

The process begins with silence. Brushes are softened in water, the ink is ground, and the paper is placed flat and dust-free.

2. Breath, Posture, Intention

Before the first stroke, Assaa pauses.
Calligraphy begins with grounding—calming the mind, setting the meaning of the character, imagining the flow.

3. Brushstroke Execution

Once the brush touches the paper, there is no undoing.
Each stroke is final.
Pressure, rhythm, and release create the character’s life—sharp energy or soft balance depending on the kanji.

4. Natural Drying

The ink dries slowly to maintain its depth and texture.

Curing & Mounting (裏打ち – Ura-uchi)

Traditional finishing that protects and preserves the artwork.

Ura-uchi is a classical Japanese technique used for high-quality calligraphy, scrolls, and museum-grade works.
It is the “curing” and “reinforcing” step that elevates a delicate paper artwork into a durable, long-lasting piece.

What is 裏打ち (Ura-uchi)?

裏打ち means “backing.”
The original washi is carefully adhered to a second, supportive paper using natural starch paste.
This prevents warping, wrinkles, or stretching over time.

Why It’s Important

• Keeps the artwork flat and strong
• Enhances ink richness and paper texture
• Prepares the piece for framing or scroll mounting
• Increases longevity (this is how traditional works survive 100+ years)

The Process

• The original artwork is humidified gently
• A new backing paper is precisely aligned
• A thin, even layer of wheat-starch paste is applied
• The two sheets are pressed together with brushes
• The piece dries under weights to ensure a smooth surface

Ura-uchi requires skill and patience—many artists outsource this to specialists, but all BrushForma hand-made pieces follow the same authentic workflow.

A Piece Made to Be Kept

Your hand-made calligraphy is not a print.
It’s an artwork with history, intention, and craft woven into every fiber.

Each piece includes:

• Certificate of authenticity
• Details of paper type
• Date and location of creation
• Artist embossed rakkan
• Care instructions for long-term preservation