Japanese calligraphy

2025/08/11

  Image: Writing Japanese calligraphy

Yuki’s work of Shakyo, copying Buddhist scriptures

Are you interested in calligraphy?

I had an interview with my friend Yuki where she talked about her experience of calligraphy. She said, “Calligraphy is focusing on writing, calligraphy is accumulating something and that is my growth.” She is in her early twenties and have been practiced calligraphy sine she was very young. Yuki has practiced calligraphy in calligraphy class or school clubs until she graduated her university. Yuki has been involved in calligraphy practice most in her high school. After classes, Yuki always went to the calligraphy club room and repeated practicing, copying classic calligraphy works. She sometimes worked to entry her works for exhibitions. She other times worked for calligraphy performance with her club members.

While practicing calligraphy, Yuki always focuses on writing without thinking anything. She should concentrate on writing. While repeating copying the same classic work, she learned that somedays she worked better, but the other days she didn’t. She realized who she was through her calligraphy. She gained strong sense of herself.  For Yuki, repeating writing the same characters bit by bit is accumulating her power.  While repeating writing the same classic work she realized she was better at calligraphy and that gave her a sense of accomplishment. She realized that she grew. And that made her happy. 

After Yuki graduated high school, she didn’t practice calligraphy so often as before, but  

calligraphy and writing are still her important occupation.

In daily life, Yuki sometimes has worries or problems, and she gets anxious or stressed. Then she starts Shakyo, handwriting Buddhist scriptures, or writing down what she worries. Concentrating on what she writes recalls her power and brings her a sense of accomplishment she gained from her calligraphy practice.  Sense of anxiety disappears. She feels calm and confident. Concentrating on handwriting makes Yuki get calm down, composed and encourages her to address her problems. It also let her reflect what happened to her in past.

Now, handwriting as well as calligraphy is Yuki’s important occupation. Comparing with smart phone, handwriting supports her to be composed to address her real life.