What is Calligraphy?
Calligraphy is an art form that has been studied for over three thousand years. A knowledge of calligraphy is an important step in the understanding of Japanese culture. Japanse calligraphy is not merely an exercise in good handwriting, but rather the foremost art form of the Orient. It is the combination of the skill and imagination of the person who has studied intensely the combinations available using only lines. In the West, calligraphy was intended to suppress individuality and produce a uniform style. Japanese calligraphy (sho in Japanese) attempts to bring words to life, and endow them with character. Styles are highly individualistic, differing from person to person. Japanese calligraphy presents a problem for westerners trying to understand it; the work is completed in a matter of seconds so the uninitiated cannot really appreciate the degree of difficulty involved. However, bear in mind that the kanji characters must be written only once. There is no altering, touching up, or adding to them afterwards.
What distinguishes good Japanese calligraphy from bad?
To the trained eye the difference is instantly discernible, but just as with western art or music the difference is difficult to describe. However, here are a few guidelines:
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There is a natural balance in both the characters and the composition as a whole
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Straight lines are strong and clear
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Curved lines are delicate and mobile
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There is variance in thickness and thinness
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The amount of ink on the brush, or lack of it, is consistent throughout
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The size of the kanji characters are of a scale which gives life to the work
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There is a rhythm in the whole work
You can think of calligraphy and kanji in terms of music. The poem is like the musical score and the calligrapher like the pianist; each tries to interpret the score to produce a memorable rendering.