Calligraphy history
JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY HISTORY
China is credited with the introduction of Kanji to Japan during the 5th century. In addition to the presentation of Kanji the Japanese were also introduced to Buddhism during the 6th century. "Shotoku Taishi"(Prince Shotoku 574-622) who worshiped Buddhism vehemently preserved and propagated Buddhism and constructed several temples in the 7th century (Asuka Period). The flourishing of Buddhism along with the introduction of paper and ink from Korean priests made "shakyo" (a hand -copying of Sutrasa) popular. This popularity led to the beginning of the development of calligraphy.China is credited with the introduction of Kanji to Japan during the 5th century. In addition to the presentation of Kanji the Japanese were also introduced to Buddhism during the 6th century. "Shotoku Taishi"(Prince Shotoku 574-622) who worshiped Buddhism vehemently preserved and propagated Buddhism and constructed several temples in the 7th century (Asuka Period). The flourishing of Buddhism along with the introduction of paper and ink from Korean priests made "shakyo" (a hand -copying of Sutrasa) popular. This popularity led to the beginning of the development of calligraphy.
During the 8th century (the Nara period), the sharing of culture between Japan and China flourished allowing Chinese culture as well as the calligraphy of Chinese sages to be brought over to Japan. Although there were several different styles of calligraphy, the style that served as a model for Japanese calligraphy can be attributed to the sage Ogishi (Wang Xizhi, 301-361). Furthermore during the Nara period, "manyo-gana" was utilized as a writing system that employed Chinese characters to represent the Japanese language. There were once over 1000 manyo-gana used as phonetic letters, however the number of manyo-gana was reduced to around 300 by the 12th century and the writing style was simplified.
In the Heian period (794-1185/1192), "so-gana" (cursive style of manyo-gana), "katakana" (one part of "manyo-gana") and "hiragana" (simplified "so-gana") were all used. The Heian period is also well known for its many great calligraphers whose names are etched in history. The "Sanpitsu"(Emperor Saga, Kukai and Tachibana no Hayanari) are known throughout history as the first true calligraphers of the period. However, the "Sanseki"(Ono no Michikaze, Fujiwara no Yukinari and Fujiwara no Sukemasa) were more notable and credited with the establishment of "Wayo style" or the true Japanese style of writing that harmonized "kanji" and "kana". In addition, "manyo-gana" was used by men and "hiragana" by women. The love letters were written in "hiragana" even by men during the end of the Heian period.
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) is synonymous with a shift in power from nobility to samurai and priests. Bokuseki (the Zen priest calligraphy) was heavily influenced by Zen priests and it became a powerful and popular calligraphy style.
The Muromachi and the Azuchi periods were ravaged by war, and calligraphy was of little importance. Nevertheless during the Azuchi period the admiration for calligraphy returned. "Kohitsu" (famous "kana" pieces in Heian & Kamakura period), "kohitsu-gire" (cutting pieces of "kohitsu") and "oie-ryu" (the calligraphy style of "samurai" family) developed into the major styles of calligraphy leading into the Edo period.
In the Edo period (1600-1867), Japan was in a state of isolation. During this period there were 2 prominent styles of calligraphy that were "karayo" (Tang Dynasty style in China) and "wayo" (Japanese style). "Karayo" was used by literaly men and Confusionists who studied "bokuseki". "Wayo" was used among civilians who studied "oie-ryu" at "Terakoya" (a private elementary school of the Edo period).
The use of "wayo" declined during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and official Japanese documentation began to be written in "karayo". Afterwards "rikucho" style prospered. "Rikucho" refers to the 6 Chinese dynasties from 220-589.
As the national ideology of isolationism came to an end an increasing amount of Japanese people began to travel freely to China. This travel led to the spread of "kaisho" (block script), "gyosho" (semi-cursive), "sosho" (cursive), "tensho" (seal script") and "reisho"(clerical script). This dissemination in turn led to the birth of many calligraphy groups.
In the Taisho period (1912-1926), the debate on calligraphy and its publication prospered.
China is credited with the introduction of Kanji to Japan during the 5th century. In addition to the presentation of Kanji the Japanese were also introduced to Buddhism during the 6th century. "Shotoku Taishi"(Prince Shotoku 574-622) who worshiped Buddhism vehemently preserved and propagated Buddhism and constructed several temples in the 7th century (Asuka Period). The flourishing of Buddhism along with the introduction of paper and ink from Korean priests made "shakyo" (a hand -copying of Sutrasa) popular. This popularity led to the beginning of the development of calligraphy.China is credited with the introduction of Kanji to Japan during the 5th century. In addition to the presentation of Kanji the Japanese were also introduced to Buddhism during the 6th century. "Shotoku Taishi"(Prince Shotoku 574-622) who worshiped Buddhism vehemently preserved and propagated Buddhism and constructed several temples in the 7th century (Asuka Period). The flourishing of Buddhism along with the introduction of paper and ink from Korean priests made "shakyo" (a hand -copying of Sutrasa) popular. This popularity led to the beginning of the development of calligraphy.
During the 8th century (the Nara period), the sharing of culture between Japan and China flourished allowing Chinese culture as well as the calligraphy of Chinese sages to be brought over to Japan. Although there were several different styles of calligraphy, the style that served as a model for Japanese calligraphy can be attributed to the sage Ogishi (Wang Xizhi, 301-361). Furthermore during the Nara period, "manyo-gana" was utilized as a writing system that employed Chinese characters to represent the Japanese language. There were once over 1000 manyo-gana used as phonetic letters, however the number of manyo-gana was reduced to around 300 by the 12th century and the writing style was simplified.
In the Heian period (794-1185/1192), "so-gana" (cursive style of manyo-gana), "katakana" (one part of "manyo-gana") and "hiragana" (simplified "so-gana") were all used. The Heian period is also well known for its many great calligraphers whose names are etched in history. The "Sanpitsu"(Emperor Saga, Kukai and Tachibana no Hayanari) are known throughout history as the first true calligraphers of the period. However, the "Sanseki"(Ono no Michikaze, Fujiwara no Yukinari and Fujiwara no Sukemasa) were more notable and credited with the establishment of "Wayo style" or the true Japanese style of writing that harmonized "kanji" and "kana". In addition, "manyo-gana" was used by men and "hiragana" by women. The love letters were written in "hiragana" even by men during the end of the Heian period.
The Kamakura period (1185-1333) is synonymous with a shift in power from nobility to samurai and priests. Bokuseki (the Zen priest calligraphy) was heavily influenced by Zen priests and it became a powerful and popular calligraphy style.
The Muromachi and the Azuchi periods were ravaged by war, and calligraphy was of little importance. Nevertheless during the Azuchi period the admiration for calligraphy returned. "Kohitsu" (famous "kana" pieces in Heian & Kamakura period), "kohitsu-gire" (cutting pieces of "kohitsu") and "oie-ryu" (the calligraphy style of "samurai" family) developed into the major styles of calligraphy leading into the Edo period.
In the Edo period (1600-1867), Japan was in a state of isolation. During this period there were 2 prominent styles of calligraphy that were "karayo" (Tang Dynasty style in China) and "wayo" (Japanese style). "Karayo" was used by literaly men and Confusionists who studied "bokuseki". "Wayo" was used among civilians who studied "oie-ryu" at "Terakoya" (a private elementary school of the Edo period).
The use of "wayo" declined during the Meiji period (1868-1912) and official Japanese documentation began to be written in "karayo". Afterwards "rikucho" style prospered. "Rikucho" refers to the 6 Chinese dynasties from 220-589.
As the national ideology of isolationism came to an end an increasing amount of Japanese people began to travel freely to China. This travel led to the spread of "kaisho" (block script), "gyosho" (semi-cursive), "sosho" (cursive), "tensho" (seal script") and "reisho"(clerical script). This dissemination in turn led to the birth of many calligraphy groups.
In the Taisho period (1912-1926), the debate on calligraphy and its publication prospered.
