日本書道 By: Reem, Ghada, Alia, Al- Johara, Al-Anood,

Japanese Calligraphy?! Japanese Calligraphy is an art form that has been studied for over three thousand years. It is also called Shodou, or “the way of writing”. Unlike its Western counterpart, it is widely practiced by people of all ages and all walks of life in Japan. Indeed, all Japanese children have to learn the basics of calligraphy as part of their elementary school education. So the knowledge of calligraphy is an important step in the understanding of Japanese culture.

Principles of this culture Japanese calligraphy shares its roots with Chinese calligraphy and many of its principles and techniques are very similar. It is most often written with:- ink ( 墨 sumi) on mulberry paper ( 和紙 washi) and it recognizes the same basic writing styles: seal script ( 篆書 tensho) (Chinese: 篆書 Chinese: zhuànsh ū ); clerical script ( 隸書 reisho) (Chinese: 隸書 Chinese: lìsh ū ); regular script ( 楷書 kaisho) (Chinese: 楷書 Chinese: k ǎ ish ū ); semi-cursive ( 行書 gy ō sho) (Chinese: 行書 Chinese: xíngsh ū ); and cursive ( 草書 s ō sho)(Chinese: 草書 Chinese: c ǎ osh ū ).

The history of Japanese calligraphy can be traced back to the origins of Chinese civilization and the creation of the Chinese writing system itself about 4,500 years ago. Calligraphy had already been developed a considerable amount by the time it arrived in Japan sometime around the sixth century, at approximately the same time that the Chinese system of writing (kanji). History of Japanese Calligraphy 隸

The Four Treasures of Calligraphy! The Four Treasures of Calligraphy are the four materials needed to draw the calligraphy. Theses materials are: Brush Ink Ink stone Paper A paperweight, or bunch-in, can also be common place and help hold the paper still while writing, and a black pad, the shitajiki is also sometimes used to prevent ink from penetrated through the paper onto the table.

Japanese Icons set

Japanese calligraphy’s has three different basic writing styles; They are:- 1. Kaisho 2.Gyousho 3.Sousho

Kaisho Kaisho literally means “correct writing”. In other words, this is the style in which each of the strokes is made in a deliberate and clear way, creating a form that is very similar to the printed version of the character that one might see in a newspaper. This is the form that students of calligraphy study first, since it is close to the everyday written characters they are already familiar with, but at the same time it gives them the opportunity to get used to using the brush (fude) correctly. Below you can see the character for “dream” written in kaisho style on the left, and on the right as written using a word processor. Notice how similar they are in form.

Gyousho Gyousho literally means “traveling writing” and refers to the semi-cursive style of Japanese calligraphy. Like cursive handwriting in English, this is the style that most people will usually use to write with when taking notes. Furthermore, as with English cursive style, what are written as separate strokes in kaisho style flow together to form a more rounded whole in gyousho. Text written in this style is can usually be read by the majority of educated Japanese. The same character is written in gyousho below with the printed version for comparison once more. Notice how it is more flowing and artistic.

Sousho Sousho means “grass writing” and refers to the flowing cursive style of calligraphy. Here, form supersedes readability as the calligraphy artist rarely allows her brush to leave the paper, resulting in a graceful, swooping shapes. Only those trained in shodou are usually able to read this type of script. Notice how the shape of the character is now almost completely unrecognizable as the same kanji in print on the right. It is now more a stylized work of art than a vehicle for conveying information.

What type of art is unique to that culture? What makes Japan unique? Partly, it is the romantic tradition of its heroic Samurai, beautiful Geisha and Zen philosophers. It is the striking art, Kabuki theater and serene gardens. But, especially, it is the culture of Japan, where everything suggests as well as represents, and less is considered more.

Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, is a nation made up of over three thousand islands in the Pacific Ocean. Much of the country is mountainous and volcanic, including Japan’s highest peak, Mount Fuji. Greater Tokyo, with more than 30 million people, is the largest metropolitan area in the world. The Japanese population, half that of the US, lives in an area smaller than California. In 1639, the shogunate rulers began a policy of isolation which kept out almost all ships from the western world. This isolation lasted about 250 years, and allowed the unique Japanese culture, traditions and arts to develop without western influence. What type of art is unique to that culture?

Japanese traditional arts are too lovely to be left behind in the rush of the 21st century. As Japan moves forward, technologically and economically, the memories of picturesque teahouses and thatched roofs are still cherished. Knowledge of the traditional arts and customs, such as the tea ceremony, flower arrangement and bonsai, sumo wrestling and the martial arts, and performing theater like Kabuki and Noh, enhances our understanding of Japan. Other traditions and customs include the soaking bath, the simple outdoor group dance called Bon-Odori, origami paper folding, bonsai, woodblock prints, painted folding screens, and decorated pottery and porcelain. In contrast to the public world of modern skyscrapers and flashing neon signs, Japanese private life is still very reserved. Homes have quiet and uncluttered rooms. Traditional artistic design is simple and minimalist. In Japanese culture, art and literature, less is often considered more. What type of art is unique to that culture ?

Pictures

Pictures

Pictures

Environmental Impact All though Japanese calligraphy is a very beautiful art, it does have an affect on the environment. At the time where Japanese calligraphy developed, the ink they used was all natural. But since the 21 st century, they started to add chemicals to the ink. This does have an impact on the environment because some of these chemicals are flammable.

Calligraphy Activity Today we will be teaching you how to draw a phrase or word of your own choice in Japanese calligraphy on a paper fan. We hope you enjoy it.

Bibliography