The History of Japanese calligraphy (日本書道史) has been heavily influenced by Chinese calligraphy. For a long time, the most esteemed calligrapher in Japan had been Wang Xizhi, a Chinese calligrapher in the 4th century. After the invention of Hiragana and Katakana, the Japanese unique syllabaries, calligraphers developed styles intrinsic to Japan. Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of history, and widely practiced throughout China to this day. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Author:Wang Xizhi Wang Xizhi (王羲之) (303-361) was a famous Chinese calligrapher. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji Hiragana ) is a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system, along with katakana and kanji; the Latin alphabet is also used in some cases. ... Katakana ) is a Japanese syllabary, one component of the Japanese writing system along with hiragana, kanji, and in some cases the Latin alphabet. ...

Hushincho (風信帳), letter written by Kūkai to Saichō
9th century

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 422 pixelsFull resolution (1502 × 792 pixel, file size: 167 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Notes : 画像詳細項目中における日本語の説明は資料に記されていたもの、英語による説明はAmagaseが翻訳したものです。 Japanese descriptions of this summary were taken from the source. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 422 pixelsFull resolution (1502 × 792 pixel, file size: 167 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Notes : 画像詳細項目中における日本語の説明は資料に記されていたもの、英語による説明はAmagaseが翻訳したものです。 Japanese descriptions of this summary were taken from the source. ... Painting of KÅ«kai (774-835). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Before the Nara period

Inscription on the halo of the statue of Bhaisajyaguru, Hōryū-ji Temple
Written in 7th century

The oldest existing calligraphic text in Japan is the inscription on the halo of the Bhaisajyaguru statue in Hōryū-ji Temple. This Chinese text was written in Shakeitai (写経体) style, famed in Six Dynasties. There are also bibliographic notes for the Lotus Sutra in same temple. This Hokkegisho (法華義疏) have been said to be written by Prince Shōtoku in 615, but some scholars criticised this assertion. Hokkegisho was written in Cursive script and good example to show the high skill to copy Chinese original texts in Asuka period. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 597 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1293 × 1299 pixel, file size: 386 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This Inscription was made before 6th or 7th century. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 597 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (1293 × 1299 pixel, file size: 386 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) This Inscription was made before 6th or 7th century. ... Bhaisajyaguru (藥師佛／薬師 Ch. ... Horyu-ji. ... Bhaisajyaguru (藥師佛／薬師 Ch. ... Horyu-ji. ... Six Dynasties (六朝) is a collective noun for the six Chinese dynasties, namely the Kingdom of Wu, Eastern Jin Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Qi Dynasty, Liang Dynasty and Chen Dynasty. ... The Lotus Sutra or Sutra on the White Lotus of the Sublime Dharma (Sanskrit: Saddharma PuṇḍarÄ«ka SÅ«tra; 妙法蓮華經 Chinese: MiàofÇŽ Liánhuā JÄ«ng; Japanese: Myōhō Renge Kyō; Korean: Myobeomnyeonhwagyeong) is one of the most popular and influential Mahāyāna sutras in East Asia and... Sculpture of Prince Shotoku in Asuka Dera, Asuka, Nara Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子 574-622) was a regent and a politician of the Imperial Court in Japan. ... Events The Edict of Paris grants extensive rights to the Frankish nobility. ... Chinese characters of Cursive Script in regular script (left) and cursive script (right). ... The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Yamato period. ...

Broken Stone in Uji Bridge (宇治橋断碑) and Stone in Nasu County (那須国造碑) are also typical examples in this time. Both of inscriptions were influenced by Northern Wei robust style. The Northern Wei Dynasty (北魏 386-534) is most noted for the unification of northern China in 440, it was also heavily involved in funding the arts and many antiques and art works from this period have survived. ...

In 7th century Tang Dynasty established hegemony in China. Their second Emperor Taizong esteemed Wang Xizhi's calligraphic text and this popularity influenced Japanese calligraphers. All of the original texts written by Wang Xizhi did lost, and some copies such as Gakkiron written by the Empress Komyo regarded as important sources to know Wang Xizhi's style. China under the Tang Dynasty (yellow) and its sphere of influence Capital Changan (618–904) Luoyang (904-907) Language(s) Middle Chinese Religion Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism Government Monarchy Emperor  - 618-626 Emperor Gaozu  - 684, 705-710 Emperor Zhongzong  - 684, 710-712 Emperor Ruizong  - 904-907 Emperor Ai History  - Li... Emperor Taizong of Tang China (Chinese: , January 23, 599–July 10, 649), born LÄ­ ShìMín (Chinese: ), was the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty of China from 626 to 649. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Author:Wang Xizhi Wang Xizhi (王羲之) (303-361) was a famous Chinese calligrapher. ... Gakki-ron, written by the Empress Empress Kōmyō ) (701-760) was the Nara period consort of Japanese Emperor Shōmu (701-756). ...

Soukou Shujitsu is the first text which shows Japanese unique calligraphic style. This Tanka text was written in 749 and shows some difference from Chinese calligraphy. Waka (和歌) or Yamato uta is a genre of Japanese poetry. ...

Heian period

Emperor Kammu moved the capital from Heijō-kyō in Nara, first to Nagaoka-kyō in 784, and then to Heian-kyō, Kyoto in 794. This marks the beginning of the Heian era. Chinese influences in calligraphy were not changed in the early period. For example, under the Emperor Saga's reign royalty, the aristocracy and even court ladies studied copying Chinese poetry texts in artistic style. Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737–806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Tokyo, the seat of the Government of Japan and home of the Emperor, is the capital of Japan. ... Heijō Kyō(平城京)also known as Nara no Miyako,was the capital city of the Nara period in Japan. ... Nara can refer to: The city of Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan The Nara Period of the History of Japan Nara prefecture, part of the Kansai region of central Honshu, Japan Nara is a major Manchu clan. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Nagaokakyo, Kyoto. ... Events August 31 - Paul IV abdicates as Patriarch of Constantinople December 25 - Tarasius elected Patriarch of Constantinople The Japanese capital moved away from Nara. ... Heian kyō(平安京)was the capital of Japan from 794 to 1180 & 1180 to 1868. ... Events Kyoto becomes the Japanese capital. ... History of Japan Paleolithic Jomon Yayoi Yamato period ---Kofun period ---Asuka period Nara period Heian period Kamakura period Muromachi period Azuchi-Momoyama period ---Nanban period Edo period Meiji period Taisho period Showa period ---Japanese expansionism ---Occupied Japan ---Post-Occupation Japan Heisei Overview The Heian period (平安時代) is... Emperor Saga (嵯峨天皇, Saga tennō) (786–842) was the 52nd imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain by Emperor Gaozong Hand-painted Chinese New Years duilian (對聯 couplet), a by-product of Chinese poetry, pasted on the sides of doors leading to peoples homes, at Lijiang City, Yunnan Poetry is the most highly regarded literary genre in ancient China. ...

Wang Xizhi's influences remained dominant, which are shown in calligraphies written by Kukai or Saichō. Some other Chinese calligraphers, such as Ouyang Xun and Yan Zhenqing were also became highly evaluated. Most notable admirers for each one were Emperor Saga and Tachibana no Hayanari. Painting of Kukai (774-835). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Ouyang Xun (歐陽詢 pinyin: ou1yang2 xun2; aka Ouyang Hsun) (557 - 641 AD) was a Confucian scholar and calligrapher of the early Tang Dynasty (唐朝). In 622 AD he was one of three who compiled the Classics Anthology of Literary Works (藝文類聚, pinyin: yi4wen2 lei4ju4, Yiwen Leiju). ... Yan Zhenqing (Simplified Chinese: 顏真卿; Traditional Chinese: 顏真卿; pinyin: ) (709 – 785) was a leading Chinese calligrapher and a loyal governor of the Tang Dynasty. ... Emperor Saga (嵯峨天皇, Saga tennō) (786–842) was the 52nd imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Tachibana no Hayanari (橘逸勢, 782-844) was a Heian period Japanese government official, calligrapher, and member of the Tachibana family. ...

At the same time Japanese unique calligraphic style was emerging. Kukai said to Emperor Saga “China is large country and Japan is relatively mall, so I suggest to write in the different way.” Cry for noble Saichō (哭最澄上人), which was written by Emperor Saga for Saichō's death, was one of the example for such a transformation.

Kamakura and Muromachi period

Edo period

Today

Calligraphy was adopted as one of the subject in elementary school of Japanese mandatory education system. In high school, calligraphy is one of the alternatives among art subjects, with music or painting. Some universities such as University of Tsukuba, Tokyo Gakugei University and Fukuoka Kyoiku University have the branch of calligraphic study and emphasize teacher-training programs with calligraphy. Japanese calligraphy also fascinated through the centuries many western artists, mainly appreciated calligraphers, who studied and practiced calligraphy as a parallel activity to their Arts. Since the later years of the 20th century, one notable name among them is the Italian Fernando Lembo di Pino, also known as Yorukamome (夜かもめ) or Ou An Sensei (鴎庵先生). Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ... Compulsory education is education which children are required by law to receive and governments to provide. ... The University of Tsukuba has a modern campus The University of Tsukuba ), located in the city of Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture in the Kantō region, is one of Japans most prestigious national universities. ... Tokyo Gakugei University (東京学芸大学) or Gakudai (学大), for short, is a national university in Koganei, Tokyo. ... fernando lembo di Pino was born in 1953 on the Amalfi Coast (Italy), true heart of the mediterranean area, where he lives and works, although in a rather different domain, as he actually is a teacher of linguistics and philosophy. ...

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Japanese calligraphy

• East Asian calligraphy
  • Chinese calligraphy

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... The Wikimedia Commons (also called Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ... The art of calligraphy is widely practiced and revered in the East Asian civilizations that use Chinese characters. ... Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of history, and widely practiced throughout China to this day. ...

References

• History of Japanese calligraphy (和様書道史), Hachiro ONOUE (尾上八郎), 1934