Calligraphy Part I

Calligraphy could be seen as an art form or a discipline. As a discipline it was intrinsically connected to the Chinese, and Japanese martial arts.

How can one see the connection? Both martial arts and calligraphy is a form of art in its own right. Seeing someone do this type of writing, is inspiring. There is the initial preparation of getting the paper ready, setting out the ink and the calligraphy pens. The process could be slow, especially if accuracy is of great importance. There should be consistency in each of the letters you form.
Calligraphy is, therefore, not for the impatient person. Alternatively, though, perhaps one could learn patience from this type of writing.

The comparison of the art form with that of martial arts, is the fact that precision is required: "your hand should do what you command it." What is also vital is the fact that you need to make the writing as clear, as possible, and as beautiful as possible (McCormick).

Aside from the martial art connection, calligraphy has been the way in which the people in previous centuries communicated information. This is the way in which books were written and data were recorded -- via the calligrapher's hand. As a child, I was fascinated by the way in which my father would, draw pencil lines on a clean sheet of paper, and see how the letters emerged as he gave shape to them as well as give color to the pages. It is unfortunate that I do not have a copy of his best work. He did most of his work for other people. The image here is of something he did when he was very ill.  

The calligraphers of the past were employed by the church to copy the Bible, for example. This form of art, however, has not just been reserved for the Christian realm. Islamic calligraphy is as much part of the history of calligraphy.

The importance of this entry here is for the purpose to illustrate the desire for people to write for centuries. These days, computers are the instruments of choice for writing. Although some traditional writers still use the typewriter. However, calligraphy is where it all started, and there are myriads of computerised fonts that can mimic the art form. It does not, however, take you through the painstaking, disciplined process of the art form. That is where the enjoyment lies -- the enjoyment I saw in my father's face and eyes when he completed his most intricate work.


Reference:

McCormick, David . "News & BlogCalligraphy and Martial Arts." Academie Duello Centre for Swordplay. Accessed September 18, 2017. https://www.academieduello.com/news-blog/calligraphy-and-martial-arts/.