Sensei Mary Mineko Weite has taught Japanese calligraphy long enough — some 20 years at the Wahiawa Community School alone — to know that what is rendered in free-flowing stroke on washi paper is often the truest statement of the artist in the moment.
In 19-year-old student Jin Murakami’s work, Weite says she sees something worth nurturing.
"You can tell what kind of person someone is by their calligraphy," says Weite, 83. "I can see Jin’s interest in this new field. When I see someone like him, someone who has that kind of interest, I like to push them as much as I can to help them get better."
Weite says Murakami, who lives with a severe form of autism, has already come a long way in the few months he has spent in Weite’s once-a-week class. The only male enrolled in the course, Murakami routinely delights his octogenarian classmates with his precocious skills and creative flair — quite an accomplishment for someone whose communicative challenges sometimes limit his social interactions.
"Jin has shown much natural art talent in our calligraphy/sumi-e class and has proven himself to be Sensei Weite’s prized calligraphy student," says classmate Dorothy Aruga. "To see the interaction between Sensei and student Jin is beautiful and truly touches our hearts."
Jin’s mother, Yasuyo, says she’s gratified, if not entirely surprised, by the way Jin has excelled at his newfound craft.
"He’s always been artistic," Yasuyo says. "He can draw anything he sees on TV."
The Murakamis moved to Wisconsin from Japan when Jin was born. There he benefited from progressive therapies and training programs that helped him deal with his physical and developmental challenges.
Yasuyo and Jin moved to Hawaii 10 years ago (Yasuyo’s ex-husband and younger son live in Japan), and Jin graduated from Mililani High School two years ago.
Before he ever picked up his first calligraphy brush, Jin distinguished himself as a talented artist by using simple Play-Doh to sculpt miniature animals, robots and fantastical creatures of his own imagination, the likes of which would fetch serious cash if Jin cared to ply his trade for a Hollywood anime boutique and not just for the shelves and counters of his Mililani home.
Jin also has a fondness for real-life animals, especially felines. He and Yasuyo care for feral cats in their neighborhood, trapping strays for spaying and neutering, and socializing young cats for possible adoption.
"Most of the time we’re just home together," Yasuyo says. "It’s a nice life, I think."
