Tokyo Workshop

On the evening of 16th January, students from all over Tokyo gathered at Maria Nosenkyosha Francisco Shudokaitotsuka Daini Monastery to begin an intensive two day workshop with iconographer Lisa Ghent. After enjoying the first of many meals they were to share over the next two days, the workshop begun with a lecture on the fundamentals of iconography. 

With the "writing" of Icons being a spiritual practice, prayer was at the core of the workshop and students were invited to join the rhythm of the daily lives at the convent by joining the sisters in their daily prayers, beginning with morning prayer at 6.30am.

The students did very well in the comparatively short time available to complete even a small icon. The most time time was spent on the delicate layering of the face, which alone is completed in six layers. The final result was an icon of Archangel Michael that they took home, having spent two days in his prayerful presence. 

The workshop was a joint achievement by Lisa Ghent and Sr Mai Okabe - who worked tirelessly to organize and manage the workshop but to also provide a faithful translation to the various presentations accompanying the class.