Spaces absorb one's energy or KIAI. We need to cultivate this energy so the space we train can nurture creativity. For a cook, the kitchen is a sacred space. The kitchen has to be clean and meticulously organized a certain way. All the equipment and ingredients have to be available at any moment's time. The way we move, and interact is done in such a way to maximize … [Read more...] about How to cultivate a space for practice
The phrase BUNBU SHIHO (文房四宝 ) or "The Four Treasures of Shodo" refer to the four essential tools of Shodo: the brush, the paper, the ink, and the inkstone. Of these four tools, two are indispensable: the brush and the ink. Other materials can substitute the paper and the inkstone. In my 6-Week Intro course, I recommend beginning students to use newspaper or newsprint … [Read more...] about How to select a brush for Japanese calligraphy
We are a Zen Dōjō (禅道場) a place to immerse in deep spiritual training. Our training focuses on using our posture, breath, and senses to enter samadhi (state of meditative absorption) while in zazen (Zen meditation). Other training elements include physical exercises to improve posture, abdominal breathing exercises to activate the hara (the center of our energetic strength … [Read more...] about Rhode Island Zen Dojo
by Anthony DeenIn his book, The Spirit and the Sword, the sword master Nakamura Taizaburo relates an epiphany he experienced while teaching in Northern China during the Great Pacific War. In his epiphany Nakamura sensei correlated sword study with the Eiji Happo of Japanese calligraphy (Shodo).Toyama-ryu Battodo is a modern sword art, developed in 1925 for Japan’s Toyama Army … [Read more...] about The Sword, The Brush, and The Principles of Eight
静夜四無隣 -“Quiet night, there are no neighbors” 2020 年 四月Enjoying a Visit with My Cousin Lu Lun - by Sikong Shu丸庭音須先生の書Write this calligraphy challenge and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #gohitsushodo … [Read more...] about April 2020 Challenge
