What is shodo?
The Outline History Of Shodo
When did Japanese calligraphy shodo begin in Japan?
It is said kanji came to Japan from China along with Buddhism after 6th century and then began in earnest as Japanese calligraphy shodo in Japan. Since then shodo has been developed among the ruling classes such as aristocrats, Samurai and Zen priests for about a thousand years. In the Edo era (1603 – 1868), which is the last era when Samurai ruled Japan, it has also spread to the common people.
And now, Japanese calligraphy is learned actively in Japan although people have become less likely to write characters by hand with the spread of smartphones and PCs.
“Shuuji”, the first step of Japanese calligraphy, is learned in elementary and junior high school classes. Also many people are learning shodo in calligraphy classes and communication courses, which are large and small in many parts of Japan.
We have a good impression on those who are learning shodo and good at writing in Japan.
The World of Shodo
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Express everything and aim to improve techniques
Shodo is characterized by using a writing brush with animals’ hair such as horse, goat, raccoon, weasel and so on. We soak the brush in black ink and write kanji, katakana and hiragana, that are unique Japanese characters, on calligraphy paper called “hanshi”.
It is aimed to express artistry mainly. You may have seen beautiful calligraphy works on the net, newspaper, or directly. In Shodo, we write various things: words expressing the seasons, the activities of man and nature, poems that ancient people wrote and words the Zen priest preached. In addition to enjoying writing itself, we enjoy displaying a work as a hanging scroll, or submit a work to an art exhibition.
Also there is a system to measure and certify the technical skill level of writing called “Kyuu” and “Dan”, and many people practice every day with the aim for a higher level. The highest rank is called “Shihan”. Some of calligraphers who got that title have a class.
