日本書道
By: Reem, Ghada, Alia, AlJohara, 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: zhuànshū); clerical script (隸書 reisho) (Chinese: 隸書
Chinese: lìshū); regular script (楷書 kaisho) (Chinese: 楷書
Chinese: kǎishū); semi-cursive (行書 gyōsho) (Chinese: 行書
Chinese: xíngshū); and cursive (草書 sōsho)(Chinese: 草書
Chinese: cǎoshū).
History of Japanese
Calligraphy
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).
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.
What type of art is unique to that culture?
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.
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
21st 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
1.http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/explore/culture/
2. http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2095.html
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_calligraphy
4. http://www.takase.com/JapaneseCalligraphy/Traditional.htm
5. http://www.tooter4kids.com/Japan/calligraphy.htm
6. http://www.japanese-name-translation.com/site/about_japanese_calligraphy.html