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Event Description
Calligraphy Workshop #2
There 14 members participated at today’s calligraphy workshop, including a
new member with her 2 boys. Then there was Mae-chan whom we first met a few
years ago when she was only a baby then she had moved to overseas. She
recently came back from Asia with her family, and now she’s speaking
English fluently. Time flies, indeed.
Many Japanese tend to think when looking at calligraphy writing or Sumi-e
ink drawing they look different between Japanese and non-Japanese artist.
While it is certainly never meant which is better or worse but something
about the impression we pick from the “touch” - brush stroke. It might be
the “Wabi-sabi” impression that we may be looking for in art. Typically,
Japanese would know what it means but it is extremely hard to explain in
words to non-Japanese. It is, however, frequently expressed as a kind of
philosophy in Japanese traditional art including literature. Whatever that
is, unfortunately, seems missing more and more in modern art among
computer-generation. So, what is exactly Wabi-sabi, anyway - my theory is
that it is the expression of “feeling” somewhat a combination or either of
its beauty in calmness, peacefulness, tranquility, nostalgia, naturalism,
quietness and simplicity found everywhere including nature and old. Most
likely it’s not found, or rather “felt”, in bright colored, flamboyant or
abstract object or aggressive nature. So, it doesn’t have to be a Japanese
who would find, see, create or enjoy the Wabi-sabi feeling. But, it seems
that Japanese do respect or, let say, distinguish the very delicate yet
unique and precious touch more than any other nationalities. So, when I
found it in some of our participant’s writings, I realized that maybe
Wabi-sabi is living deep in a person’s mind and soul filled with
traditional Japanese spirit without conscience, that is natural. I wonder if
that is something may develop in one’s soul while growing up, especially
among Japanese who possess the “touch” in nature. There were three
children at today’s workshop, and I can’t help but am very curious to see
their future writing.
Midori Shinye
Calligraphy Instructor
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