Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy, Learn the Wisdom of Zen Through Traditional Brush Painting

“In order to appreciate the work, one’s heart must be pure and receptive and then this ancient calligraphy will speak to you.”

Ichigyo mono wall hangings containing zengo are the most revered of all the items on display in the tokonoma or alcove of a tea room.

The warriors and rich merchants who were retired gave rise to a class of the populace called the "literati" or bunjin (bun=literature; jin=person). This class was well versed in reading and

All these arts focus on stripping away unnecessary elements, retaining only what is salient and fundamental.

The creative process in shodo, as in many other arts, is in many ways a “spiritual purification” of the creator.

katakana is reserved solely for writing foreign words.

both the tea ceremony and Zen share the basic philosophy that all extraneous or redundant activities should be removed and in spirit and action the whole environment should reflect economy and minimalism.

for the artist of shodo—whether in China, Japan or Korea—the traditional style of kanji is still used.

However, in order to work in the sosho style, it is necessary to first master the order of the strokes in both the kaisho and gyosho styles. Without a firm knowledge of these requirements, the purpose and effect of the highly simplified sosho lines will not be executed by the calligrapher, and the all-important visual improvisation in personal expr