Title
Zen Brushwork: Focusing the Mind with Calligraphy and Painting,Used
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With its bold strokes and mystic aura, Zen calligraphy has fascinated Westerners for decades, yet it remains an abstract, rarely practiced form of expression outside of Asia. Now, master calligrapher Tanchu Terayama explains the techniques behind this subtle art and offers stepbystep instructions for practicing it on a professional level.After introducing the basics, Terayama presents a unique meditative warmup to establish the proper mental attitude needed to release one's creative energies. Next, the power of the brushed line is explained and demonstrated. What makes a good line or a bad one, an expressive effort or an unfocused one? Lessons on brushing symbolic Japanese characters follow, including those for 'emptiness,' 'nothingness,' and 'flower.' The painting section shows readers how to draw the spare yet elegant pictorial themes of this classic art: bamboo, plum blossoms, Mount Fuji, and the inspirational Zen priest Daruma.If the exercises are the heart of the book, the Appreciation section is the soul. This chapter introduces classic works from renowned priests and other historical figures, including Miyamoto Musashi (the celebrated swordsman and author of The Book of Five Rings), Morihei Ueshiba (the founder of aikido), Jigoro Kano (the father of judo), and Zen priest Hakuin. Each masterpiece is accompanied by penetrating commentary on the strengths and salient features of the work.Rarely has Zen calligraphy been demonstrated and discussed with such candor and insight. Illuminating yet another side of Zen, Zen Brushwork will be an invaluable source to those interested in meditation, Zen, Buddhism, the martial arts, and Oriental traditions in general.CONTENTSIntroductionPart I BackgroundWhat is Zen Calligraphy?The Evolution of KanjiThe Fundamentals of CalligraphyThe Four Treasures of CalligraphyHitsuzendoPart II PreparationWarming Up and Developing KiThe Zen LineYokiho: A Method of Developing Ki and WarmingUpwarmup exercise 1: Yokiho: The Long Versionwarmup exercise 2: The Short Form of Yokiho: A FiveMinute Exercisewarmup exercise 3: Kusho: Writing in the AirPart III Zen Calligraphy and PaintingBasic PracticeThe Zen Line and Its Applicationsexercise 1: Mujibo (The Zen Line)exercise 2: Enso (The Zen Circle)exercise 3: Horizontal and Vertical Linesexercise 4: Fine LinesTensho (Seal Script)exercise 5: So (Grass) and a Practice LineKaisho (Standard Script)exercise 6: Sho (Calligraphy) and Practice LinesFurther PracticeSosho (Grass Script)exercise 7: Mu (Nothing)exercise 8: Hana (Flower)exercise 9: Ku (Emptiness)exercise 10: Mu Ichi Motsu (Owning Nothing)exercise 11: Ichigyo Zanmai (Be in the Moment)Writing Western Scriptexercise 12: Writing Western Script: ABCexercise 13: Shodo (Calligraphy)Paintingexercise 14: Orchidexercise 15: Bambooexercise 16: Plum Blossoms (with inscription)exercise 17: Mount Fujiexercise 18: Darumaexercise 19: WallGazing Darumaexercise 20: 'OneStroke' Darumaexercise 21: JiWaChoku (Compassion, Harmony, Honesty)Part IV AppreciationWorks by Old MastersWorks by Terayama TanchuGlossaryWhat is Zen Calligraphy?Calligraphy (sho) is a formative art based on writing. It includes not only writing that is beautiful, but phrases that are novel and interesting. According to the Japanese philosopher Nishida Kitaro (18701945; see figure 1), true creativity is not the product of a conscious effort but rather the 'phenomenon of life itself.' True creation must arise from mushin, or the state of 'nomind,' a state beyond thought, emotions, and expectations. Work that is produced through conscious effort is ultimately devoid of life.Zen calligraphy in particular must spring from shonen sozoku, a Buddhist term equivalent to 'true thought.' Shonen is a state of full concentration that is devoid of thoughts and ideas, while sozoku here means 'freeflowing continuity.' Greatness in brushwork cannot be achieved through conscious effort; it
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We ship your order within 2–3 business days for USA deliveries and 5–8 business days for international shipments. Once your package has been dispatched from our warehouse, you'll receive an email confirmation with a tracking number, allowing you to track the status of your delivery.
Returns
To facilitate a smooth return process, a Return Authorization (RA) Number is required for all returns. Returns without a valid RA number will be declined and may incur additional fees. You can request an RA number within 15 days of the original delivery date. For more details, please refer to our Return & Refund Policy page.
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We provide a 2-year limited warranty, from the date of purchase for all our products.
If you believe you have received a defective product, or are experiencing any problems with your product, please contact us.
This warranty strictly does not cover damages that arose from negligence, misuse, wear and tear, or not in accordance with product instructions (dropping the product, etc.).
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the main focus of 'Zen Brushwork'? A: 'Zen Brushwork' focuses on the art of Zen calligraphy and painting, providing step-by-step instructions for mastering the techniques of this meditative practice.
- Q: Who is the author of 'Zen Brushwork'? A: The author of 'Zen Brushwork' is Tanchu Terayama, a master calligrapher known for his expertise in Zen calligraphy.
- Q: What can I expect to learn from this book? A: Readers can expect to learn the fundamentals of Zen calligraphy, including the techniques for creating expressive brush strokes and practicing various exercises.
- Q: Is 'Zen Brushwork' suitable for beginners? A: 'Zen Brushwork' is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners, as it introduces basic concepts and gradually progresses to more advanced techniques.
- Q: Does the book include exercises for practice? A: Yes, the book includes numerous exercises designed to help readers practice Zen calligraphy and painting, with detailed instructions for each.
- Q: What materials are recommended for practicing Zen calligraphy? A: While specific materials are not detailed in the book, traditional calligraphy tools such as brushes, ink, and rice paper are commonly used for Zen calligraphy.
- Q: What topics are covered in the appreciation section of the book? A: The appreciation section includes classic works by renowned historical figures and Zen masters, along with commentary on their artistic significance.
- Q: How many pages does 'Zen Brushwork' have? A: 'Zen Brushwork' has a total of 96 pages, making it a concise yet comprehensive guide to Zen calligraphy.
- Q: When was 'Zen Brushwork' published? A: 'Zen Brushwork' was published on January 9, 2004.
- Q: What is the binding type of 'Zen Brushwork'? A: 'Zen Brushwork' is available in paperback binding, making it a flexible and portable option for readers.