Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink

Book excerpt: Calligraphy is an ancient art that doesn’t grow old. Known in Japanese as Shodo (書道) the Way of the Brush, a proverb has it that Shodo promotes perpetual youth and longevity. Research has shown that indeed, the practice of Shodo improves posture, regulates breathing, and even calms the heartbeat, all of which indeed has been shown to extend life. In China, it was considered one of the Five Excellences for cultivating character: Calligraphy, Poetry, Painting, Tai Chi, and Tea. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink: Reclaiming the Five Treasures of Japanese Calligraphy brings this into a contemporary context. Calligraphy is crystalized time, and Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink shows readers how to unlock its secrets by learning how to wield the brush with precision, how to read and write the various scripts used in Shodo, and how to use it as a discipline for self-mastery and self-expression. Because of the language barrier, it has long been a mystery to the Western mind. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink gives readers unprecedented access to the wonderful world of Calligraphy, removing the barriers of language, geography, time, and accessibility. William Reed is a leading expert on Japanese Calligraphy and Japanese Culture, who is actively engaged in teaching Calligraphy in Japan as well as to an international audience. Song of the Brush, Dance of the Ink enables people to appreciate the philosophical dimensions of Calligraphy, enjoy it for interior display or as digital art, and as a path to self-discovery and self-mastery through master tips on practice.