Learning Asian calligraphy

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
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I have always been interested in the Japanese and Chinese character sets and would like to learn Asian calligraphy. I have done some searches and reading on the web, and it sounds like practicing while watching video is better than just reading a book. Does anyone have suggestions for a DVD or multimedia CD for beginners?
 
Don't know of any CD/DVD's, but there is a book on Japanese Kanji called "A guide to reading and writing Japanese" by the Charles E. Tuttle Company. It's sometimes hardback sometimes paperback, but it's almost always a redish-orange color. The reason I recommend this book is that stroke order is paramount for writting Kanji correctly. If you don't write in the correct order and the correct direction of each stroke, a Japanese or Chinese will be able to tell something is wrong.
There is a difference between Japanese and Chinese also, so pick one. Japanese generally use about 2000 Kanji for normal reading. Chinese utilizes up to 10,000. It takes native caligraphers lifetimes to master what they do. Don't expect to be able to do it right away.

Neither language is easy to learn. I still study my Japanese and I'm just a conversational speaker. Years ago I could read to around 4th grade level, but since I haven't used it much, I've forgotten a lot. 4th graders have to learn 543 Kanji to graduate to 5th grade.
 
Thanks for the info!

Here is a possible link to the book that you mentioned. Here is a CD that looks promising. I should also clarify what I would like to do. I don't expect to learn how to read and write fluently (yet). I'm more interested in learning what type of pens and brushes are used, how the characters are written, and how to do some simple characters myself.
 
tarsier said:
I should also clarify what I would like to do. I don't expect to learn how to read and write fluently (yet).
Click to expand...

If you decide to go for it, Chinese will be easier than Japanese (except for pronunciation). Probably more useful too.
 
A CD or DVD can be helpful but Chinese Calligraphy in its essence is more than the sum of all that is in print or video.

It has to do with breath control, mental state, a premeditated vision, and a deep understanding of the culture and psyche of the Han race.

Here, I am referring to the calligraphers who dwell in the stratosphere of Chinese Calligraphy. There is a difference between talented ordinary Chinese calligraphers and those calligraphers who are a breed apart.

But if you have the inclination, you should embark on your quest immediately. If your search is earnest and your determination unshakeable, you may arrive at the Shamballa of Chinese Calligraphy whose gates admit only the chosen few. :)
 
Have you tried any calligraphy in a more familiar script? Some of the principles Golok refers to are applicable in all writing systems, and you can see them easier in relation to a language and culture you know.
 
Golok, I can see now that the term "calligraphy" has artistic and spiritual aspects to it that I hadn't considered. I would be satisfied just learning the mechanics of the writing system and enjoying the beauty of the characters.

Esav Benjamin, I have not tried any Western calligraphy, but that's good stuff too. I found a lot of web sites on that topic. By the way, I am also interested in learning about the more practical aspects of all kinds of writing systems - Egyptian heiroglyphics, Norse runes, the characters used in ancient Central and South American cultures, etc. I would like to learn how these systems work, how they were deciphered by archaeologists, which systems remain poorly understood today, etc. Any resources on these topics would be appreciated.

Johnny Z, thanks for the link to supplies.
 
johnniet, the first book in that list that you provided looks good. It includes a historical background, which I think will give me a good appreciation for the Chinese characters. I'm going to check for it in our local library today. Thanks.

Esav Benjamin, Omniglot looks like a treasure trove for writing systems of all kinds. That's going to keep me busy for long time.
 
The Asian calligraph you guys mentioned was initiated in China and uses Chinese. Kanjis are Chinese characters used by Japanese.
I do think the first step is to learn Chinese characters. It's necessary, especially for experts, to know the meaning of the characters that one writes down by calligraph.
The best way to learn Asian calligraph is to do as the bride in Kill Bill 2 did. Go to China, find a master, and stay there for a long time. ;)

rnr said:
Don't know of any CD/DVD's, but there is a book on Japanese Kanji called "A guide to reading and writing Japanese" by the Charles E. Tuttle Company. It's sometimes hardback sometimes paperback, but it's almost always a redish-orange color. The reason I recommend this book is that stroke order is paramount for writting Kanji correctly. If you don't write in the correct order and the correct direction of each stroke, a Japanese or Chinese will be able to tell something is wrong.
There is a difference between Japanese and Chinese also, so pick one. Japanese generally use about 2000 Kanji for normal reading. Chinese utilizes up to 10,000. It takes native caligraphers lifetimes to master what they do. Don't expect to be able to do it right away.

Neither language is easy to learn. I still study my Japanese and I'm just a conversational speaker. Years ago I could read to around 4th grade level, but since I haven't used it much, I've forgotten a lot. 4th graders have to learn 543 Kanji to graduate to 5th grade.
Click to expand...
 
I suggest that you learn the characters first, because without adequate knowledge of the construction (e.g. the radical) and the stroke directions of a character, it is difficult to get the proportions just right. There will be something odd with the spacing or the strokes themselves; it's hard enough to get things right when writing with a pen.

Children learning Chinese usually do copying exercises in grids with examples at the top of each line. After tracing examples to learn the characters, they copy the short phrases repeatedly, perhaps 50 times each. It's pretty much the same as learning cursive in America (do they even teach that in school anymore?).

I've seen "calligraphy pens" that can be used for approximating the effect of a small calligraphy brush. It works like a felt-tip marker but the tip is long and bendy, shaped somewhat like the end of a brush. These pens are very small though, so at most you'll be able to write characters in inch-square blocks. The pens are made by Zebra.
 
AlphalphaPB said:
I've seen "calligraphy pens" that can be used for approximating the effect of a small calligraphy brush. It works like a felt-tip marker but the tip is long and bendy, shaped somewhat like the end of a brush. These pens are very small though, so at most you'll be able to write characters in inch-square blocks. The pens are made by Zebra.
Click to expand...

I've had a supply of brush markers (Sumi Brush) by Sakura for years. They are 6.75" long and have a capped brush at each end. One is thin and 1/4", the other is much fuller, but very soft and flexible at 3/8". They come in black, blue, green, and red. I've done drawings, decorative patterns, and calligraphy with them. If you keep the ends capped when you aren't using them, the ink lasts a long time. Here's a current version, with one brush: Pigma brush.
 
Hello, Tarsier. If languages and scripts are your bag I can heartily reccomend a book called "Lost Languages" by Andrew Robinson. He deals with stuff ranging from Egyptian heiroglyphs to the Phaistos, Zapotec and Rongorongo scripts.
One of my favourite scripts is the lovely Kartvali script of Georgia.Weird!
 
Excellent, more resources!

I thought that this thread had expired, but it got revived. You guys aren't going to let me off the hook so easy. I had the best of intentions to get started over the Christmas vacation, but wound up reading some other stuff instead. This is my 2005 project.
 
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