Chinese and Japanese Calligraphy I
F05
Shunzhu Wang

Chinese calligraphy is not only one of the highest forms of Chinese art, but also the chief and most fundamental element in every branch of it. A wonderful object of aesthetic appreciation in itself, it is also a kaleidoscope through which we enjoy the beauty and color of the Chinese language (which gives rise to Japanese kanji) and culture. This course provides students with the basic principles and techniques of writing characters with the “four treasures of study”: writing brush, ink stick, rice paper, and ink stone. An introduction is given to the Pin Yin system and evolution of the characters so that students are able to read and understand what they write. In the latter half of the term, we examine the application of calligraphy to other art forms. Students will be ushered into a world where poetry, painting, and calligraphy illustrate, enrich, and add beauty to each other.