{"id":62995,"date":"2016-06-08T19:06:42","date_gmt":"2016-06-08T10:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/japanese-calligraphy\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T18:20:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T09:20:45","slug":"japanese-calligraphy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cotoacademy.com\/ja\/japanese-calligraphy\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Caligraphy: Learn the culture through words"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Japanese calligraphy<\/strong> is not only an important part of Japanese culture but also a relaxing and fun way to practice your Kanji! If you are troubled by Kanji studies<\/a>, why don’t you take a break with some brushes and ink? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japanese Calligraphy’s History & Philosophy<\/a>
More than Holding a Brush and Drawing Strokes<\/a>
Tools commonly used in Calligraphy<\/a>
Japanese Calligraphy and Tea Ceremony<\/a>
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Japanese Calligraphy’s History & Philosophy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The artistic way of writing the Japanese language is known as \u66f8\u9053\uff08\u3057\u3087\u3069\u3046\uff09<\/rp><\/ruby>. This can also be translated into English as the “way of writing”. Both the art and its name had first derived from Chinese culture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The traditions of calligraphy were imported from China to Japan back during the 7th century. Throughout history, Chinese calligraphers have deeply influenced Japanese calligraphy styles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, with the development of Hiragana and Katakana, a style unique to Japan also emerged. Nowadays, calligraphy is a mandatory subject in elementary school and in high school as an art subject.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Japanese
Japanese Calligraphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

More than Holding a Brush and Drawing Strokes<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Calligraphy is considered an art form tied to Zen thought and Buddhism. To perform Calligraphy harmoniously and balanced, one must reach a “no mind state” (\u7121\u5fc3\uff08\u3080\u3057\u3093\uff09<\/rp><\/ruby>) (Mushin). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a state in which the individual is freed from hesitation and doubt, allowing the writer to create a beautiful character using little effort, yet with fluidity and spiritual grace. Everything from the lines, space and points matter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among this rules of this art, it is crucial to respect the correct stroke order. A Japanese character cannot be written arbitrarily. In a way, the practice of Japanese calligraphy is a very effective way to steady your understanding of Kanji. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the years, Japanese calligraphy has since grown and developed into various styles, with these three styles forming the base:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u6977\u66f8\uff08<\/rp>\u304b\u3044\u3057\u3087<\/rt>)<\/rp><\/ruby>: Meaning: the “correct writing way”, this square style of writing is similar to the Japanese printed version. The characters are correctly and clearly written, making them familiar to all readers. Beginners start with this form of Calligraphy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japanese calligraphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u884c\u66f8\uff08\u304e\u3087\u3046\u3057\u3087\uff09<\/rp><\/ruby>: “The traveling writing” (Aka Semi-cursive) is a cursive handwriting style. This style of writing is more visually pleasing than “correct way writing”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, most people who are able to read the “correct writing way” style can also read this.<\/ruby><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japanese calligraphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u8349\u66f8<\/ruby>: A graceful style focusing on beauty over comprehension, called “rough script”. The best English translation<\/a> for this style of calligraphy would be cursive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This style of writing is meant to be fast and efficient, and an untrained reader will most likely not be able to recognize the Kanji in this style of calligraphy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Japanese calligraphy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tools commonly used in Calligraphy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The brushes, made from animal hairs, come in various sizes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n