subject: Learn Japanese Calligraphy [print this page] Learn Japanese Calligraphy Learn Japanese Calligraphy
The history of Japanese calligraphy is found way back in the Chinese civilization and the creation of the Chinese writing system.It was not until 4,500 years ago, that calligraphy was on the seen and had already made great head way before it made its way to Japan
It was not until the sixth century, that the Chinese (kanji) form of writing came to surface..
When you are going to learn Japanese calligraphy it is good to know its roots. In Japanese, calligraphy is called shodou, or "the way of writing". Whereby in the Western, it is widely practiced by people of all ages and all walks of life in Japan. Japanese children must learn japanese calligraphy in order to complete their elementary education.
To learn Japanese calligraphy there are three basic writing styles
* Kaisho
Kaisho literally means "correct writing." There is a deliberate stroking in the style which turns out to be very clearly seenwhich is a replica of that which is printed in the daily newspaper. This is the style that students that have to learn Japanese calligraphy study first, seeing that it is close to the written characters that they see everyday, Because of the familiarity it somehow creates a balance that gets them acustom to using of the bush (fude) precisely.
* Gyousho
Gyousho literally means "traveling writing" and refers to the semi-cursive style of Japanese calligraphy. When coming to writing notes this is the prefer style that is commonly used, just like cursive handwriting in EnglishFurthermore, as with English cursive style, what is written as separated strokes in kaisho style flow together to form a more rounded gyousho.
Text written in this style is usually been read by the majority of educated Japanese.
* Sousho
Sousho means "grass writing" and refers to the flowing cursive style of Japanese calligraphy. In order to learn Japanese calligraphy articulating this style, it will be wise to reckonise the readability of a Japanese calligraphy artist that barely allows their brush to lift from the paper giving that graceful, swooping shape.Only those trained in shodou are usually able to read this type of script.
