Japanese calligraphy: features, styles and selection of a set

Japanese calligraphy is not just the ability to write hieroglyphs beautifully and cleanly. This is one of the favorite and most popular art forms in Japan. Calligraphy works are valued as highly as paintings and sculptures. Shodo (The Way of Writing) along with Bushido (The Way of War) and Sado (The Way of Tea) is one of the practices leading to the understanding of life values, which has its own philosophy and principles. In this article, we will briefly describe what ancient art is and how to start practicing the Way of Writing.

The art of writing came to Japan presumably from China. Samples of Chinese characters brought to the Land of the Rising Sun wandering Buddhist monks. That is why Zen Buddhism has had a tremendous influence on Shodo philosophy. Among the first practitioners were monks, courtiers, and emperors themselves, who initially carefully studied and followed the Chinese canons of writing.

Over time, their own culture and creative impulses of the masters created various non-traditional areas, there was a merger with their native language. So Shodo was born.

From the aristocracy and samurai, the art of calligraphy gradually spread to the masses of the population and became one of the favorite types of creativity of the Japanese.

Calligraphy training begins in childhood. This is a compulsory discipline in elementary grades. Older students learn the art of writing at will optionally, like music and drawing. Among students, traditionally organize contests, competitions, festivals, where they determine the best in writing. The largest universities in Japan have opened faculties that train teachers and masters in the art of Shodo.

Sedo patterns can be found everywhere. Exhibitions of calligraphic works are held. Images with hieroglyphs are present at celebrations, cultural events, decorate interiors.

Traditionally, in Japanese calligraphy there are three main areas.

• Kaysho - the charter. Literally translated as "spelling." The outlines are clear, clear, concise. After drawing the line, the brush is necessarily detached from the sheet. Hieroglyphs are similar to squares and look like images of printed characters. This style should be studied first.
• Gyosho - semi-italic. It is characterized by smooth, rounded, graceful lines.
• Sosyo - italics, cursive. Fast, fast, flying lines. Hieroglyphs performed in this way are revered as works of art. To parse the contents of a hieroglyph is often difficult to literate Japanese. In such cases, turn to experienced professionals.

Historically, different styles were used to write works in various literary genres:

• serious historical works stated by the charter;
• plays - cursive, stretched wide and flattened on top;
• songs, poems - a special kind of Kana italics, characterized by a vertically elongated flowing line, sophistication and elegance of lines.

The study begins with the mastery and development of writing skills in various styles. Particular attention is paid to posture, the correct setting of the hand (grip of the hand, position of the hand).

Like any Japanese practice, Shodo is full of deep meaning. Fundamental principles: modesty, purity and inner spiritual strength.

A white sheet of paper is emptiness. The black symbols are yang (masculine) and yin (feminine). Using a brush, to express the beauty of the soul and at the same time to receive aesthetic pleasure from the process itself and contemplation of the result is the main goal. It is achieved by the harmony and elegance of the lines, the balance of elements among themselves, the balance of elements and emptiness.

Qualities of a practicing Shodo: ultimate concentration, impeccable technique, spiritual preparation. That is why every calligraphic work is unique. It is created in a single impulse of the soul and reflects the state of mind of the artist, his mood, thoughts, feelings at the time of writing the hieroglyphs. Repeating and re-creating this is impossible.

Practitioners of the Writing Path use seven items:

• sumi - black mascara;
• hansi - traditional Japanese paper made from rice straw;
• suzuri - heavy metal ink-mortar for grinding solid carcasses;
• rebellion - a metal object for pressing the paper while writing;
• sitaziki - soft mat in black, the purpose of which is to create a flat surface;
• fude brush - larger hieroglyphs display the size, small - the artist’s signature and small inscriptions;
• mizusari - a vessel for water.

They teach Japanese calligraphy at special courses and master classes. The Internet contains many video tutorials for beginners to practice the Writing Path.

To master the technique yourself at home, it’s enough to purchase a pointed brush, black ink and paper, watch instructional videos and start practicing.

For a deeper touch with the tradition of Japanese writing We recommend purchasing a set for Japanese calligraphy, which has all the traditional objects. Paper may be included or purchased separately.

More expensive are sets in sturdy cases, beautifully designed wooden caskets.

The more advanced the master, the higher his brush requirements. The best brush is resilient, sensitive to subtle finger movements and has a sharp end. These characteristics give her the ability to hold a large amount of paint and water.

For these purposes, the hairs on the brush are trimmed gently. Brush pens are made of bamboo or inexpensive wood. To obtain a soft brush, goat hair is taken, for hard ones, dog fur or a column. In the most expensive brushes there is hair from the hair of deer, badger and bear. Combination brushes consisting of soft and hard hair are considered the best.

In small batches, custom-made exclusive - brushes from swan fluff and tiger hair.

Real masters have many brushes, each of which is designed for a specific purpose.

Armed with everything you need for writing, you can make the first test. It is better to start with the removal of simple hieroglyphs: tree, day, person, mouth.

The brush should be held with the thumb, middle and forefinger, holding it approximately in the middle. At first this may seem uncomfortable, but with experience comes skill.

Several basic techniques exist in Shodo:

• line stop;
• hook;
• smoothly ending line;
• spray.

Lines are output smoothly and slowly with pressure in specific places.

You can find out how the lesson in Japanese and calligraphy goes by watching the video below.