Are you interested in learning the art of shodo?
Shodo is an ancient Japanese form of artistic handwriting. Although it may appear simple, the practice of shodo demands precision with every brushstroke. It serves as a visual representation of one's feelings. Therefore, it is important to acquire a deeper understanding and mastery of the skills required for the practice of shodo.
In this episode of the Ikigai Podcast, Nick speaks with Rie Takeda on her recently published book about shodo and how people can practise the art of shodo with the use of 10 fascinating Japanese words.
Nana Korobi Ya Oki
'This means seven falls, eight rises. I wanted to pick a yojijukugo in this style, not too complicated to practise, but also like the proverb which has the positive uplifting meaning.
Nana is seven and Korobi is fall, to fall. And eight is hachi, and Ya is hachi, so eight or eight times. And Oki is to rise, to get up. So one can already envisage the abstract movement or the picture. So that means we will experience a lot of ups and downs in life, but we will be fine in the end. It's more like accepting our difficulties again and again.' - Rie Takeda
Rie Takeda
Rie Takeda is a freelance artist and a professional calligrapher; she has been practising shodo since the age of five, under the creative supervision of her grandmother, a distinguished Gayu calligraphy artist.
Rie teaches shodo in various countries, including the UK, Switzerland, and Germany. She produces Neo-Japonism paintings, calligraphy works, washi paper and vintage Kimono collages, illustrations, and works in body art. Rie was also a guest on episode 32 of the Ikigai Podcast, where she talked about Mindfulness Calligraphy.Podcast Highlights
- Writing about shodo. At 1:21, Rie shares her experience writing a book about shodo.
- Being aware of inner energy. At 19:05, Nick and Rie talk about being in the state of mushin and being aware of our inner energy.
- The brush strokes of 10 Japanese words. At 36:13, Nick and Rie discuss the 10 Japanese words mentioned in Rie’s book.
- Yorokobi. At 36:14, Nick and Rie discuss yorokobi (joy).
- Waki. At 37:59, the two talk about waki (energy of peace).
- Unsui. At 47:43, Rie explains what unsui (floating clouds and water) is.
- Nichigettsu. At 50:49, Rie talks about nichigettsu (sun and moon).
- Ikigai. At 56:20, Rie explains why she chose ikigai as one of the templates to practise shodo.
- Nana Korobi Ya Oki. At 1:03:13, Nick and Rie discuss the expression Nana korobi ya oki (seven falls, eight rises).
- Shonen. At 1:14:08, Rie explains what shonen (right mindfulness) is.
Writing about shodo
Being a professional calligrapher, Rie mastered and teaches the art of shodo. Shodo is one of the oldest and most profound art forms in Japan, and is often translated as “the way of artistic handwriting.”
"I appreciate that the way I teach shodo was maybe part of my students' healing process. Because without those experiences, I wouldn't have developed this method effectively." - Rie Takeda
Being aware of inner energy
Mushin (void heart), the state of being free from obstructive thoughts, is the key to learning shodo. The state of mushin in calligraphy is the core foundation for learners to become fully aware of their inner energy.“Zen philosophy and shodo calligraphy are connected, especially through the practice of mindfulness, which can lead us to experience a state of mushin. The state of mushin (from a Zen word that can be translated as “void heart”) can be defined as “being free from obstructive thoughts” or an “unoccupied heart”, and is key to learning the art of shodo.” - Rie Takeda
The inner energy referred to as Ki or Qi is our living resource. In her workshops and courses, Rie takes a few minutes with her students to activate their Qi and let them experience the warmth of their inner energy. The brush follows their inner energy rather than their body trying to control the brush.
“When your inner filter is not clean or cleansed, you can have time for yutori but not really yutori quality. So first you need to cleanse your inner filter, and as time passes, you will regenerate and activate the Qi or energy. And then you’re going to have quality yutori time. The whole process is valuable.” - Rie Takeda
The brush strokes of Japanese words
In her book, Rie goes through the brush strokes of 10 Japanese words. These words serve as a template or guide for her readers who want to practise shodo.Yorokobi 歓び
Yorokobi (joy) is a good template to study shodo because joy is one of our major emotional feelings. It is also fun to practise with because the kanji is easier to visualise as it resembles a smiling face.Waki 和気
Waki is composed of two kanji characters: Wa (peace and harmony) and Ki or Qi (energy), thus, waki means “the energy of peace.” The practice of shodo requires mindfulness and the energy of peace is needed. As people go through each brush stroke, they experience calmness and become one with each stroke.
Unsui 雲水
Unsui which means floating clouds and water is a popular name used by monks because it symbolises the concept of a free spirit; the smooth formation of the clouds, and how the water flows freely depicts the state of being free—the ability to move freely.
Nichigetsu 日月
Nichigetsu which translates to sun and moon is easy to visualise for beginners. Hence, it is an ideal template for practising basic calligraphy movements. It is more of a foundation to mastering the flow of calligraphy.
Ikigai 生き甲斐
Ikigai, which Rie described as “sparks of life” in her book, is a term that has been gaining attention outside Japan. However, its authentic definition is not known to many. That is why trying to visualise its kanji can help people understand its deeper meaning.
Nana Korobi Ya Oki 七転び八起き
Nana Korobi Ya Oki is an example of yojijukugo (four-kanji proverb) which means seven falls, eight rises. It’s a template that’s not too complicated for beginners and possesses an uplifting meaning that we might experience a lot of ups and downs in life, but we will manage to get through it in the end.
“For me, it’s always been this idea of persistence, but it also seems to reflect the true nature of life. We just go through ups and downs, and the most important thing is to keep going and have that hope.” - Nicholas Kemp
Shonen
Shonen, which translates to “right mindfulness” is one of the Buddhist eightfold noble paths. The practice of shodo requires mindfulness, and Shonen is the right template to express it.A detailed explanation of the art of shodo
Aside from using 10 templates as an example, Rie’s book covers other elements calligraphy practice, such as:
Building a regular practice rotuine
Preparing your shodo practice
Calligraphy materials
How to prepare the ink to calm the mind
How to release physical tension
How to raise your Ki
Practical brushwork
How to prepare the paper
How to hold the brush
Signing your work
Warming up two foundational brushstrokes
Basic techniques and movement
These components serve as a guide for people wanting to study or advance their skills in the art of shodo.
