Section 1: kaisho Basic
Welcome to Takase Shodokai
This is the first section of the Takase Shodokai Learn Japanese Calligraphy Series.
This section introduces Japanese Calligraphy using the kaisho (Block) font. kaisho is probably the most commonly seen Japanese font today and is noted as being bold and powerful with precise and crisp lines.
By the end of this section the student will have a good understanding of the tools used in Japanese Calligraphy along with their usage and care. The student will also have a solid introduction to the basic strokes and lines that comprise the kaisho font.
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Lesson 1
Tools and Technique
In this first lesson we discuss the tools required for Japanese Calligraphy. We discuss what to look for when purchasing tools and their proper care. Finally we discuss their usage including how to hold the brush and how to prepare the ink.
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Lesson 2
Lines
In this lesson we concentrate on basic lines where we cover the three basic styles each of yokoga (horizontal lines), tatega (vertical lines) and tensetsu (compound lines).
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Lesson 3
永 ei · Eternity
This lesson focuses on the eight basic strokes of kaisho calligraphy using the kanji for Eternity which is ei in Japanese. ei (Eternity) is usually the first character taught as it includes all of the basic strokes.
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Lesson 4
本 hon · Book
In this lesson we focus on the two harai strokes and on drawing yokoga (horizontal lines) which will cleanly bisect the tatega (vertical line).
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Lesson 5
自 ji · Self
In this lesson we focus on ten, tatega, yokoga, and tensetsu.
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Lesson 6
由 yū · Reason
Finally we focus on the character yū 由 concentrating again on the tatega and tensetsu. This character combined with ji 自 from the previous lesson gives us the word jiyū 自由 meaning Freedom or Liberty.