Shodo Board



Welcome to the first installment of the Shodo Board. Beginning a few months ago, around the time I began calligraphy (shodo) lessons, Kyoko and I were writing some characters for fun and decided to display them for a while on a board I had recently acquired from a friend. We also decided that at least once a month we would write new ones to replace the old ones.
At the time, we weren't concerned at all with technique, only with writing a few characters or words that we liked, or that described our present state of mind. Another important factor was that the final product contained the elusive 'aji', taste or flavor, that is present in all things of quality in Japan. Now that I am taking lessons, I think a little more about how I am holding the brush or the angle of the strokes, but only up to the point to where it doesn't yet become too distracting.
This months Shodo Board features a piece by special guest Jeff Neilson. Jeff is a fellow Californian who came on to the JET Program at the same time I did two years ago. He is a high school Jet in Wakayama City. His choice contribution, compassion, 人情 (pronounced 'ninjou') can be found on the lower right of the board. Kyoko's piece 'ケーキ食べたい’ (keki tabetai, or, I want to eat cake) is the winner of this month's Aji (味) Award. My piece, ’気にしないで人の目なんて’　(Ki ni shinaide hito no me nante, or, Don't worry even before the eyes of others) is from a song I like by a band called Ketsumeishi.
Be sure to tune in for the next edition of Shodo Board.

Posted: Thu - June 23, 2005 at 04:39 PM        

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