# Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy, Learn the Wisdom of Zen Through Traditional Brush Painting - Hardcover

by **Shozo Sato** (Author), **Gengo Akiba Roshi** (Foreword by), **Alice Ogura Sato** (Translator)

**In this beautiful and extraordinary zen calligraphy book, Shozo Sato, an internationally recognized master of traditional Zen arts, teaches the art of Japanese calligraphy through the power and wisdom of Zen poetry.**

Single-line Zen Buddhist koan aphorisms, or _zengo_, are one of the most common subjects for the traditional Japanese brush calligraphy known as _shodo_. Regarded as one of the key disciplines in fostering the focused, meditative state of mind so essential to Zen, _shodo_ calligraphy is practiced regularly by all students of Zen Buddhism in Japan. After providing a brief history of Japanese calligraphy and its close relationship with the teachings of Zen Buddhism, Sato explains the necessary supplies and fundamental brushstroke skills that you'll need. He goes on to present thirty _zengo_, each featuring:  

-   An example by a skilled Zen monk or master calligrapher
-   An explanation of the individual characters and the Zen koan as a whole
-   Step-by-step instructions on how to paint the phrase in a number of styles (Kaisho, Gyosho, Sosho)

  
A stunning volume on the intersection of Japanese aesthetics and Zen Buddhist thought, _Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy_ guides both beginning and advanced students to a deeper understanding of the unique brush painting art form of _shodo_ calligraphy.

**Shodo calligraphy topics include:**

-   The Art of Kanji
-   The Four Treasures of Shodo
-   Ideogram Zengo
-   Students of Shodo

### Author Biography

**Shozo Sato** is a master of traditional Zen arts, and has received the Order of Sacred Treasure from the Emperor of Japan for his contributions in teaching Japanese traditions. _His areas of expertise include_ ikebana (flower arranging), chanoyu (tea ceremony), and Japanese theater as well as sumi-e (ink painting). He conducts workshops on ikebana and sumi-e throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe and is the author of numerous books including _Tea Ceremony, Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy_ and _The Art of Sumi-e_. He was the founding director of Japan House at the University of Illinois, where he is Professor Emeritus and continues to teach Japanese arts. Shozo Sato resides in Champaign, IL.

**Number of Pages:** 176

**Dimensions:** 0.9 x 12.1 x 9.4 IN

**Publication Date:** March 11, 2014

## Details

- **Price:** 34.95 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 34.95 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy, Learn the Wisdom of Zen Through Traditional Brush Painting - Hardcover

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