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

an essential step in the preparation for a tea ceremony is looking at a work of shodo to clear one’s mind.

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.

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

change in the order of strokes is acceptable, as is adjusting brush strokes to suit one’s own style, and for artistic creativity. This flexibility in gyosho allows the shodo artist the opportunity to produce remarkable works. For this reason also, most Japanese calligraphy is done in gyosho, including bokuseki writings by Zen priests.

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

In shodo it is considered sacrilege to go back and touch up the work. Any adjustment or touch-up would be apparent, and would interrupt the ki, and therefore the created work wouldn’t be an honest representation of the artist’s energy and personality.

katakana is reserved solely for writing foreign words.

In the art of sho, spirituality and physical activities have to coincide, therefore breathing control is of utmost importance.

(see the Appendix for info on the 2009 edition, the “Shin Shogen”),