Calligraphy

Japanese calligraphy, shodou, is a highly developed art form using brush and black ink to write Japanese and Chinese characters. While similar to the decorative calligraphy of the West, shodou is more deeply rooted as a fine art form, in part because every character has meaning in and of itself and in part because of the great diversity of character shapes. Shodou is increasingly admired by Japanese and foreigners alike.

The kakizome held on January 2 marks the first writing of the new year and is still regularly performed today. Facing an auspicious direction, participants write out felicitous words and phrases. Kakizome competitions are annual elementary and junior high school events.

History

Shodou traces its origins to Chine, where the master calligrapher Wang Xizhi is traditionally credited as the father of the art. It was introduced into Japan in the 8th cenruty. The early Heian contemporaries Kuukai,Emperor Saga, and courtier Tachibana no Hayanari are respectfully referred to as the Sanpisu or Three Great Brushes, and their calligraphy is considered representative of Chinese calligraphy's classic beauty. In the 10th and 11th centuryries these tree were succeeded by the Sanseki (the Three Traces): Ono no Toufuu, Fujiwara no Sukemasa, and Fujiwara no Yukinari. These three masters developed the first uniquely Japanese calligraphy style, known as wayou (also joudaiyou). Fujiwara no Yukinari's style led to the formation of the Sesonji school and Ono no Toufuu served as a model for the Shouren'in school and Ono no Toufuu served as a model for the Shouren'in school which later evolved in the Oie style of calligraphy.The Oie style was used for official documents in the Edo period and was the predominant style taught in the terakoya schools of that period.

Just as calligraphy has changed overthe ages, the revived interest in calligraphy today is characterized by its broad latitude for creativity and the increasing number of women master.

Calligraphy Styles

There are three basic style: kaisho, gyousho, and sousho. Kana might be added as a fouth style. Kaisho, a block style with little movement, is also called shinsho. Gyousho is an intermediate style neither as stiff as kaisho nor as flowing as sousho. Sousho is a highly cursive style written with swift strokes. Its freedom and aesthetic appeal has made sousho very popular with calligraphy masters.

Kana originated in the more extreme forms of sousho. Because it was the primary script for Heian somen, kana was at one time referred to as onnade (women's writing). Kana developed with the growing popularity of waka poetry. Compared to the boldness of Chinese characters kana is elegant and refined. Japanese calligraphy is judged not only by its surface beauty and meaning but also by the calligrapher's character.