Calligraphy

Chinese and Japanese calligraphy is done using a springy brush. The brush is held vertically, and line thickness is varied by changing the vertical pressure applied. One distinguishing characteristic of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy is that no part of the arm may properly rest on the table. As a consequence of this way of doing things, it is very difficult to make a straight line because to do so requires that your hand be very steady.

When you begin a calligraphy practice session, you first put a small amount of water in an inkstone and then grind away with an ink stick on the bottom of the pool of water in the inkstone. As you make ink, you make yourself calm down.

When you charge the writing brush with ink and begin to write, you will get immediate feedback. If you are not calm (or if you have had too much caffeine or other stimulant), your hand will shake and you will not be able to write attractive characters. The lines of the characters you write will be just as shakey as your hand. Also, if your mind is distracted, you will not be able to direct your attention to keep the various parts of each character in proper proportion.

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last revised: 22 June 1998