About · The Practice

Koshin Shodo Art, Twisp, Washington. Est. 2016.

The Art

Koshin began as an exploration of curiosity and a desire to have art that I liked. After two decades inside another career, Josh Ross stepped out of it and began making shirts that carry the same character as the work he was already doing on paper. Sumi ink. Calligraphy in the Japanese tradition. Original shodo that has been shown at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, La Biennale di Venezia, and other galleries in Hirosaki Japan and the Seattle Center.

Every piece on this site is connected to a practice of curiosity, personal growth and expanding self esteem. The art and shirts come out of martial ideas that I like and want to share. The shodo comes out of a lineage. The collaborations come out of relationships built over years with the people who still make blades by hand and the people who run independent skate shops in Texas. None of it is contrived.

The Lineage

Josh trains in Nami Ryu Aiki Heiho — a Japanese sword art that includes kenjutsu (fighting with the sword), iaijutsu (drawing and cutting against a surprise attack), and the empty-hand jujutsu that underlies both. The art was founded by James Williams Sensei under Don Angier, Soke of Yanagi Ryu. Angier learned directly from Yoshida Kenji, son of Yoshida Kotaro.

Josh also studies Shinbukan Kuroda Ryu Gi under Kuroda Tetsuzan Sensei, founded by Yahei Masayoshi Kuroda in 1848. Kuroda Sensei is the fifteenth Soke of his family's system.

The shodo training is under Fujii Yoshiyasu Sensei, where Josh holds Godan rank.

The Work

Everything in the shop has been made by hand. Apparel is discharge printed at the dojo in Methow, Washington — the ink sits inside the fiber instead of on top of it, which is why the prints soften with the first wash. Original shodo is made with sumi on kozo, washi paper, or canvas with traditional uraushi backing. Prints are limited editions, hand finished, signed.

Collaborations

Williams Blade Design has commissioned Josh's shodo multiple times for limited-run wakizashi and tanto — the Hisshou, the Shinbu series, and a memorial axe for a fallen soldier. The original shodo lives, etched into the steel.

No Comply Skate Shop in Austin, Texas, runs a limited edition of 1,500 New Balance 480 skate shoes featuring artwork from Josh and his brother Matt Ross. The Way of Courage shodo was the source piece for the No Comply skate deck run that followed.

The Dojo

Sato Bu Kan operates out of Twisp, Washington with study groups in Ballard (Seattle, inside AMA Karate Studio) and Corvallis, Oregon. The dojo accepts new students. The shop exists alongside it, not above it.

"Nami Ryu attracted me because it maintains martial skill first and foremost. The sharp sword and tanto teach best and keep me on my toes. From the sword world I have learned to operate differently and approach my career in a unique way."

— Josh Ross