THE SWORD AND THE BRUSH; WHOLE BODY SHODO

 by Phillip Starr

Shodo is the Japanese term for the art of writing calligraphy with a brush (書道). In Chinese, it is pronouned “shudao.” To acquire skill in this art is no different than learning any other art; it requires regular practice (and patience) over a period of time. Writing characters with a brush is still taught in Japanese schools; in China, not so anymore (they use modern pens to write calligraphy, which is a shame).

You may well have missed grasping the essence of one scene in the cult-classic film, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, where the heroine (played by Michelle Yeoh) watches the younger lady (played by Zhang Zhiyi) is writing calligraphy. Ms. Yeoh's character takes sharp notice of just how her younger friend moves her wrist and arm when she brushes the characters...

Shodo masters say that the characters reveal much about the individual brushing them; hi or her ability to remain “centered”, the strength of one's qi, some personality traits, and...skill with the sword (especially since good calligraphy involves moving the whole arm instaed of just the wrists or fingers as we do in our own penmanship). Ms. Yeoh noticed that her young friend clearly had studied and had skill in, the art of swordsmanship.

In China, it's not unusual to see older men (usually) out in the summer heat carrying a pail of water and a brush about 3 ft. long. Using the water in the pail, they brush beautiful characters (usuallt old poems) on the sidewalk. But the Japanese did them one better. For special occasions, calligraphy is sometimes brushed on large pieces of rice paper with a hug brush that's often taller than the artist!

Holding it in both hands, the calligraphy is brushed with movements of the whole body! And of course, most of those who are regarded as masters of this art are also...master martial artists! Their martial skill is revealed in the characters they brush. The two – brushing calligraphy and martial skill – are related...