The Basics
History of Japanese Calligraphy: The history of Japanese calligraphy can be traced back to the origins of the Chinese writing system 4,500 years ago. Calligraphy had already been developed a considerable amount by the time it arrived in Japan sometime around the sixth century.
Who Practices Japanese Calligraphy: In Japanese, calligraphy is called shodo (the way of writing). Most children learn calligraphy in elementary school and it is practiced by people of many ages in Japan.
What are the parts of a calligraphy set:
The types of Strokes:
Who Practices Japanese Calligraphy: In Japanese, calligraphy is called shodo (the way of writing). Most children learn calligraphy in elementary school and it is practiced by people of many ages in Japan.
What are the parts of a calligraphy set:
- Shitajiki: Black, soft mat. It provides a comfortable, soft surface.
- Bunchin: Metal stick to weigh down the paper during writing. People used to and still today use long thin rocks to weigh down the paper.
- Hanshi: Special, thin calligraphy paper.
- Fude: Brush. There is a larger brush for writing the main characters and a smaller one for writing the artist's name. The small brush, however, can be used for the characters as well.
- Suzuri: Heavy black container for the ink.
- Sumi: Solid black material that must be rubbed in water in the suzuri to produce the black ink which is then used for writing. Instant ink from bottles are also available.
The types of Strokes:
- Kaisho: Kaisho is used when people write Kanji. It usually looks like a square style of writing. This style is rarely used since it's used when writing Kanji (which is rarely used in Japan)
- Gyosho: Gyosho is used for semi-cursive daily writing calligraphy.
- Sosho: Sosho is used for cursive daily writing calligraphy.
This child is a 4th grader in a Japanese Elementary school learning calligraphy.
Facts about Japanese Calligraphy
- This style became popular in Japan around 600 AD. It came to be known as karayō and is still practiced today in Japan.
- Calligraphy is a very old and highly respected art in Japan, and is closely related to the art of poetry, particularly haiku.
- Calligraphy is not only an art form focused on the end product, but a meditation that values the process of making the work
- In order to move the brush in a controlled and harmonious way, the artist's mind must be calm, free of distractions and entirely focused on the task at hand.
- Shodo is the Japanese word for calligraphy and it means not just penmanship, but the way or the path of leading a peaceful, serene and calm lifestyle.