Calligraphy
 

Calligraphy is the art of writing beautifully. In Japan, calligraphy is also called Shodou.

There are different forms of calligraphy. Some people write on the paper and then paint the background to express the idea of the poem or saying that they wrote.

There are also different types of material paper used in calligraphy. The different paper is used for different effects. For example, on batik paper it is difficult to express fine strokes.



YUME (DREAM)
This character is read "YUME" in Japanese. Its meaning is "DREAM".

The right character is written in KAISYO style and the left character is in SOSYO style.

HANA (FLOWER)


KAZE (WIND)


movies:
http://markun.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/japan/shodou/s1.mov
To prepare the ink, a "Sumi" stick is rubbed back and forth on an inkstone.

http://markun.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/japan/shodou/s2.mov
She is writing the character "Yume" which means "DREAM" in English.
Look how fast she is writing this and it looks beautiful.

http://markun.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/japan/shodou/s3.mov
This is written using a small callingraphy brush.

information from http://markun.cs.shinshu-u.ac.jp/japan/shodou/index-e.html]Shodou's Room

After seeing your pictures, I better understand this

It's kinda hand writing style. Japannese letters and Arabic letters allow writer to do art!

In latin letters you stuck...

Yay!
I knew all the words^^
Kaze, yume and Hana^^

yeah i agree.it is hard to write calligraphy.after seeing that video that i gave i want to learn it also but unfortunately i can't study it here.
i know:D i'll go to japan and learn it thereXD
sophie: good for you.i remember that i got to know the word hana when i was watching bleach.i'm still watching it:D

Heehee^^,

Im watching Bleach, but I've known the word Hana for a long time..:p
Hanabi means Firework^^.
I like that song..:rheart:

Great thread Kitski!
 

I just got a book about Shodou last week! I'm really thinking about getting into it. It would help me with Kanji at least and it would be great to read the works of O-Sensei Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido. I just need to find a good quality Calligraphy set with a REAL Inkstone.

First of all thank you all:D
@rikku777:lol.keep practicing and soon they will turn out perfect without an accident;)
@Sophie sis^^: hanabi.i think i have heard that word before but i didn't know it means firework.yay now i do know:D Do you mean that bleach opening by high and mighty color ichirin no hana? if you do mean it then i agree i like that song.^^
@SakeinmyOchoko: it's hard to study it by yourself.but good luck.you should try ebay.maybe they have that set.i hope you can find it and buy it:D and hopefully maybe later you could post your Shodou up here:rolleyes: .but before find the set and practice.:p good luck again:vsign:

Shuku / Iwai: Shuku / Iwai is the Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Congratulations". The kanji symbol of "Congratulation" is used in all happy events, such as Marriage, childbirth, a birthday, entrance, graduation, victory, etc.


Gi is the Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Justice and Honor". There are the kanji idioms which are using Gi, such as Seigi (justice), DouGi (morality), Gimu (liability) and Giri (obligation). Condensation of these meanings is Gi, and Gi is the typical kanji symbol which expresses the mind respecting the moral sense and justice as human beings. Gi is indispensable in social life and we must not forget it. Particularly this kanji befits people who interested in the martial art of Japan, like Karate.


Makoto is the Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Good faith and Sincerity". The typical kanji idioms using Makoto are Seijitsu (sincerity), Seii (good faith) and ChuSei (loyalty). The four-character kanji idiom of Seishin-Seii (wholeheartedly) is often used. Makoto is Kun-yomi (native Japanese reading) and Sei is On-yomi (phonetic reading). Thus, Makoto expresses the noble mind without falsehood and betrayal.

addition to YUME:
Yume is the only Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Dream". There are the kanji idioms which are using Yume, such as Muchu (ecstasy), Mugen (fantasy), Musou (dream) and MasaYume (prophetic dream), etc. Yume is Kun-yomi (native Japanese reading) and Mu is On-yomi (Chinese reading). Yume means not only a dream which has while sleeping but an aspiration and a wish. Yume is used symbolizing the thing which we wish to accomplish in the future.


Ai is the Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Love". There are several Kanji symbols meaning "love". In them, Ai is the most typical kanji symbol expressing love. There are many Kanji idioms which are using Ai, such as RenAi (romance), NetsuAi (ardent love), Aijou (affection), Aijin (lover) and Aikokushin (patriotism), etc. Not only the love to the family, friends, and a sweetheart but the love to all creation is expressed.


Sei / Shizuka is the Japanese kanji symbol of meaning "Tranquility and Serenity". Sei / Shizuka expresses not only physical silence but the peace of mind. The expert of Japanese martial art says, "The mind is always tranquil in the midst of fighting". And Buddhists sit in Zen meditation to train oneself for the tranquil mind. Thus, the kanji symbol of Sei / Shizuka expresses the peace of mind and the state of mind which rid oneself of all worldly thoughts.

information from:Shodou: Japanese Shodou

Wow! So beautiful. I hope that I can write like that someday.

Japanese calligraphy is so beautiful!

I have Shodou lessons at my japanese institute. Besides the language lessons, we have an hour every week in which we learn different things from japanese culture. We also learn Origami and watch videos about Japan. Shodou is difficult, at least for me, but it's very interesting. It really helps you to improve your writting.