Japanese Calligraphy

Posted on April 2, 2007 by Ekatherina Touma

On my way from Narita Airport I could see many ads written in some mysterious signs, which looked like hieroglyphs. They looked like pictures more than letters and I was sure that they are something different than two Japanese systems I have learned at Japanese embassy back home. When I asked my guide what they were she smiled at my ignorance and explained that they were kanjiThe most complex of the three types of characters used in written Japanese. Sometimes called "Chinese characters.". Since then to learn kanji became my obsession and I devoted my time and energy to memorize as much as I could of them.

As I started living in Japan I understood that Japanese writing system has three alphabets which are usually used interchangeably in writing. HiraganaOne of the three types of characters used in written Japanese. It consists of 48 characters, each representing a syllable. and katakanaOne of the three types of characters used in written Japanese. Consists of 48 characters, each representing a syllable. Primarily used for the phonetic spelling of foreign words. alphabets are Japanese and they are both easy to learn and remember. The big problem is Chinese alphabet, Kanji, which has more than 6000 character with only 2500 characters named “common use Kanjis” (not a big relief). They had been borrowed from China long time ago and are now currently studied in schools and largely used.

My discovery of Japanese calligraphy belongs to the book by Alex Kerr “Lost Japan” which I happened to borrow from university library. As soon as I have learned that there is something called calligraphy I started looking for calligraphers asking everyone around. However calligraphy lessons were all so expensive that I was beginning to lose hope when suddenly I got introduced to Namita senseiJapanese title used for teachers, doctors, lawyers and other high level professionals as well as those who have achieved mastery of a particular field. , who became my calligraphy teacher for free. To this day I have no idea why she was teaching for free, however it was my great luck to find such person.

My first calligraphy lesson was the best I guess. It was all “tatami, green tea, smell of ink made from stone” atmosphere. I could never forget it. When Namita sensei asked me what calligraphy I would like to learn Kanji or hiragana, I said “Kanji” with no doubt. However, later I have learned that hiragana calligraphy was just as beautiful as Kanji’s. More I learned and visited calligraphy exhibitions, more I became dissolved in wonders of Japan. For me Namita sensei and her calligraphy brush were Japan that I was looking for.