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 … [Read more...] about How to select a brush for Japanese calligraphy
Articles
Rhode Island Zen Dojo
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
The Sword, The Brush, and The Principles of Eight
by Anthony Deen In 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 … [Read more...] about The Sword, The Brush, and The Principles of Eight
April 2020 Challenge
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
March 2020 Challenge
夜深知雪重- "Deep in the night, I know the snow is thick". 2020 年 三月 Night Snow by Bai Juyi 丸庭音須先生の書 Write this calligraphy challenge and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #gohitsushodo … [Read more...] about March 2020 Challenge