書道: Japanese Calligraphy
Hello everyone! Japanese calligraphy (書道、shodou) was one of the first cultural activities I did when I first started learning Japanese.
Japanese calligraphy involves using a calligraphy brush (筆、fude) and black ink (墨、sumi), along with other materials, to artistically write different Japanese characters (Kanji). There are many different styles, and each person writes calligraphy a little differently - which led to the common phrase 書は人なり (Sho wa hito nari), or "calligraphy reveals personality".
What is 書道, and how does it play into Japanese culture?
Japanese Calligraphy「書道」
Japanese calligraphy involves using a calligraphy brush (筆、fude) and black ink (墨、sumi), along with other materials, to artistically write different Japanese characters (Kanji). There are many different styles, and each person writes calligraphy a little differently - which led to the common phrase 書は人なり (Sho wa hito nari), or "calligraphy reveals personality".The History of Shodou 「書道の歴史」
Like with many things, kanji originally spread to Japan from China. Confucian texts near the end of the third century were the first to introduce kanji, and their usage gradually increased until around the seventh century. One of the first forms of calligraphy was "Zen calligraphy" (墨跡、bokuseki), practiced by early Buddhist priests. It was known for its aesthetic beauty and "calming effect upon the mind".
Later, women within the imperial courts devised Hiragana, which was originally used for poetry due to its flowy, elegant appearance. However, it became a key part of the Japanese language as a whole, and was joined by Katakana in later years.
Later, women within the imperial courts devised Hiragana, which was originally used for poetry due to its flowy, elegant appearance. However, it became a key part of the Japanese language as a whole, and was joined by Katakana in later years.
Shodou Fundamentals
There are many different ways to do Shodou, some of which are drastically less common than the traditional Shodou people do today.
For proper calligraphy, eight basic brush strokes must be mastered.
For proper calligraphy, eight basic brush strokes must be mastered.
- ten (dot)
- yokoga (horizontal)
- tatega (vertical)
- hane (upflick)
- migihane (rightward upflick)
- hidaribarai (leftward downstroke)
- hidarihane (leftward downflick)
- migibarai (rightward downstroke
Additionally, stroke orders for each character must be followed for calligraphy to be technically "correct".
Shodou is a mandatory subject throughout most of Japan's elementary schools, as a part of national language (国語、kokugo) class. Students learn proper posture, how to hold a brush, and proper storage and cleaning of calligraphy tools. Very young students might start by practicing with pencils in order to attain a base level of penmanship.
Kakizome 「書初め」
Kakizome is what the first calligraphy of the year is called, and it's generally done around January 2nd. It used to only be practiced among imperial families, but grew in popularity among common families around the Edo period. Wakamizu (若水) water taken from a well on New Years' Day is traditionally used. Everyone faces in one auspicious direction, so many schools might set up their entire gymnasium with all of the students facing the same way! People generally write something auspicious or a resolution for the upcoming year.
Conclusion
Japanese calligraphy (書道、shodou) is a very important part of Japanese culture. However, similar to the decline of cursive in the United States, calligraphy has also begun to dwindle in Japan. Because cursive doesn't have any heavy meaning to American culture, there isn't much of a loss as we transition to more electronic means of communication. However, calligraphy has deep historical and cultural importance to Japan. Hopefully shodou can continue being a key part of Japanese education and culture, it's too beautiful and artistic to lose!
Have you ever tried Japanese calligraphy? If you haven't, what do you think you'd want to write?
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