Mamoru Murata was born in 1935 in Aomori, Japan. He taught Math and English at high schools for thirty-five years, and he also taught calligraphy for three years. He is now retired and enjoys practicing calligraphy, seal- engraving, chanting the Heart Sutra, and walking. Mamoru started studying calligraphy in 1958.
Unlike most calligraphers, he has studied calligraphy on his own without the aid of a teacher. While Mamoru is aware of the advantages and importance of studying with a great teacher, he practices calligraphy for his mental and emotional health, and he would like to go beyond the limitations and restrictions that most schools/teachers give their students.
Mamoru met his teacher for seal-engraving in 1988 when the teacher was a graduate student in Japan. He received private lessons from the teacher for three years. He has practiced seal-engraving on his own after his teacher returned to China.