28 October 2016
Part of what makes calligraphy an art form is the spiritual and disciplinary aspects of the practice, which extend back to the days when writing was a form of devotional training for young monks. They would spend days reproducing Confucian and Buddhist texts by copying the contents word for word. Above all, calligraphy masters preach the importance of achieving a state of “nothingnes...
19 August 2016
Sometimes, a blank canvas can be utterly intimidating to an artist. In response to viewing this void another void is created, and in it nothing may come to mind, the hand freezes, and time seems to stop. Calligrapher Seiran Chiba had this experience when her calligraphy master passed away and she was left for the first time with no guiding figure. For days she sat in front of a blank sheet...