July 2020
This month, I had the honor of collaborating with the Embassy of Japan in Spain in creating a series of calligraphy videos to share the richness of the Japanese language and culture. This summer, I invite you to immerse yourselves in these videos and explore a sumi-e workshop with the most basic techniques. You can enjoy all of this on the social media platforms of the Embassy of Japan in Spain or on their YouTube channel. I genuinely hope you enjoy this content, and I sincerely thank you for joining us in spreading the #SummerCulturalJapanese initiative. Although the videos are in Spanish, my wish is to provide translations in the future so that more people can appreciate and learn from Japanese culture. Thank you for your support and enthusiasm!
Shodou” (書道) is a Japanese term that translates to “the way of calligraphy” or “the art of writing” in Spanish. It refers to the traditional Japanese practice of calligraphy, which involves writing Japanese characters with a brush and ink in an artistic and stylized manner. Shodou is not just about writing words or phrases but expressing the beauty and meaning of the characters through form, balance, energy, and harmony
The three most well-known Japanese writing styles, Kaisho, Gyosho, and Shosho, offer a rich diversity of calligraphic expression. Kaisho is the standard style, known for its readability and consistent strokes, ideal for formal documents and printed text. Gyosho, on the other hand, is a semi-cursive style that exhibits greater fluidity and rhythm in characters, perfect for informal and personal texts. Shosho is the cursive style, characterized by its artistic expression and stylized forms that allow for a more unrestricted calligraphic creativity. In your video, by showcasing examples of these three styles with the word ‘love,’ you not only highlight the diversity of Japanese writing but also the ability to convey emotions and meanings through calligraphy. It’s a beautiful representation of how the art of writing can express love in various deep and meaningful ways
Reiwa” (令和) is a Japanese era that began in May 2019 when Emperor Naruhito ascended to the throne. The term “Reiwa” is composed of two kanji characters: “Rei” (令), which means “order” or “command,” and “Wa” (和), which translates as “harmony” or “peace.” Therefore, “Reiwa” can be understood as “The Era of Peace and Harmony” or “The Era of Order and Peace.” This name reflects the hope for an era characterized by stability, unity, and cooperation in Japan, following a previous period of change and challenges.
The Japanese proverb “Nanakorobi yaoki” (七転び八起き) literally translates to “fall seven times, stand up eight.” This proverb emphasizes the importance of perseverance and determination in life. It means that no matter how many times you face difficulties or experience failures in your efforts, you must have the resilience to stand up once more and continue forward. It serves as a reminder that obstacles are inevitable in life, but the key to success lies in not giving up and continuing to fight, even when circumstances are challenging. “Nanakorobi yaoki” is an expression of the Japanese mindset of overcoming adversity with determination and perseverance. In the video, you can see how I create the calligraphy for this proverb.
Mitsuru Nagata