10.12.2021
Contemporary artist
Japanese calligrapher
書道家
KUMI SEKIYOSHI
関吉 久美
"It's a letter" "It's written in black on white" Pursue only these two. The beauty of the form of letters. I believe in the power of black and white. I can still do it.
Definition of Shodō
(Japanese Calligraphy)
Shodō (書道) is the art and technique of writing beautiful characters using a brush and ink. It goes beyond mere writing, emphasizing brushwork, composition, and expression while incorporating a sense of spirituality and aesthetics.
Originating in China, calligraphy spread to other East Asian countries, including Japan and Korea. In Japan, it developed uniquely from the Heian period onward, giving rise to distinctive styles such as kana calligraphy. Shodō includes various script styles, such as kaisho (standard script), gyōsho (semi-cursive script), and sōsho (cursive script), which are used depending on the purpose and artistic expression.
Beyond being an artistic practice, Shodō is also valued as a form of etiquette and spiritual discipline. It is widely taught in educational settings and continues to be an important cultural tradition in Japan.
Ink (Sumi) Explanation
Sumi (墨) is a type of ink traditionally used in East Asian calligraphy and painting.
It is made from soot, typically derived from burnt pinewood or oil, mixed with animal glue and molded into solid ink sticks. These sticks are ground on an inkstone with water to create liquid ink.
Sumi ink is known for its deep black color, smooth texture, and ability to produce various shades depending on the amount of water used. It has been used for centuries in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean art and writing, particularly in brush calligraphy and ink wash painting (sumi-e).
In addition to solid ink sticks, modern sumi ink is also available in bottled liquid form for convenience. The quality of sumi ink varies based on the raw materials and production methods, with some high-quality ink sticks aging over time to improve their richness and smoothness.
