Shodo by Susan Perry

Shodo is the way of the brush. And there are many forms Shodo can take from my favorite Zen Brush which has been my practice for many years to more formal scripts which I have been trained in as well: Tensho, Reisho, Kaisho, Gyosho, Sosho and kana scripts as well. In brushing one character they take a particular shape when practicing one of the scripts I’ve named above. Each script demands a unique aspect to a stroke: for instance, tensho (which most people know by “seal script) the beginning of the stroke is made with the tip being overshadowed by the belly of the brush so that it’s rounded rather than angled as in other scripts. And all this means, besides learning a new script, is that the artist becomes more skilled at managing the hairs of the brush in order to produce a particular laying down of the ink.

I have learned a great deal from my study of these scripts and now that I’m playing around with watercolor painting, I find that these lessons - although they were in esoteric forms of Japanese calligraphy - help me a great deal.

Come and try it out with me. It's very relaxing, centering, and has a way of inspiring wonderful creations.