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Shodo: The practice of mindfulness through the ancient art of Japanese calligraphy
This is a beautiful guide to harmonize the body and mind connection through elegant Japanese calligraphy for fans of Ikigai and Wabi Sabi.
SHO 書: to write, writing, calligraphy. DO 道: the path, the way or the Tao, the path of life
The ancient Japanese art of calligraphy is more than just a decorative skill; it is a revolutionary approach to mindfulness. This book is a beautiful introduction to Shodo, which shows how the movement of a brush channels energy through the body and mind, uniting both in harmony. What results on the paper is a true depiction of the present moment, a movement towards a more peaceful mindfulness.
Shodo expert and professional calligrapher Rie Takeda shares the history, philosophy and craft of Shodo. Decorated throughout with her stunning art, Takeda begins with the basic brushstrokes, and builds up to drawing complete kanji, beautifully nuanced in both appearance and meaning. Introductory sections include practical information on what sort of ink, pens and brushes to use, how to prepare your space, how to sit and breathing exercises. This is alongside spiritual guidance, including the concept of Mushin (an undisturbed mind), Qi energy, and how to discover your unique inner quality.
A final troubleshooting section allows you to identify what wobbles and imperfections in your lines can tell you about the various tensions and stresses in your body and mind.
SHO 書: to write, writing, calligraphy. DO 道: the path, the way or the Tao, the path of life
The ancient Japanese art of calligraphy is more than just a decorative skill; it is a revolutionary approach to mindfulness. This book is a beautiful introduction to Shodo, which shows how the movement of a brush channels energy through the body and mind, uniting both in harmony. What results on the paper is a true depiction of the present moment, a movement towards a more peaceful mindfulness.
Shodo expert and professional calligrapher Rie Takeda shares the history, philosophy and craft of Shodo. Decorated throughout with her stunning art, Takeda begins with the basic brushstrokes, and builds up to drawing complete kanji, beautifully nuanced in both appearance and meaning. Introductory sections include practical information on what sort of ink, pens and brushes to use, how to prepare your space, how to sit and breathing exercises. This is alongside spiritual guidance, including the concept of Mushin (an undisturbed mind), Qi energy, and how to discover your unique inner quality.
A final troubleshooting section allows you to identify what wobbles and imperfections in your lines can tell you about the various tensions and stresses in your body and mind.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 18, 2022
11 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 28, 2022
I have previously done an online course on Shodo, so I was interested to see what this book would be like. Overall, I think it is a good guide, especially for beginners. As well as discussing Zen and mindfulness, the author reviews the equipment required for Shodo and the basic strokes, before introducing a series of kanji to practice with in more detail. The book is nicely laid out and illustrated throughout with useful diagrams and images of completed kanji calligraphy. It would definitely make a good introductory text for anyone interested in Shodo and it gets 4 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 5, 2025
I purchased this book along with a few others to learn the basics of East Asian brush calligraphy. Of the many resources I encountered, this one gradually became my personal favorite. However I wouldn’t recommend this book as a sole resource.
As a beginner, I often find my brush work to be clumsy and not at all like what I am trying to mimic. This means that, mid-stroke, I find myself disappointed and frustrated with the result before the piece is even finished. I also get so hyperfocused on trying to get the technique right that I cannot relax.
I’ve found Takeda’s book to be the right antidote for this situation. She does, I believe, the best job of presenting the Zen heart of shodo: posture, awareness, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, body-mind integration, and ki. As a scientist, I’ve found discussions of ki to be too vague for my taste. But I found the presentation of ki here to help toward achieving the clear mind that allows one to enjoy the process, regardless of result.
Takeda’s style is gentle and friendly. At first I also felt it too repetitive and unclear. I initially resonated with other authors. But over time my opinion flipped, and I found myself cherishing the warmth and joy of her tone.
An additional strength of this book is the ten expressions (each including anywhere from one to four characters) that you learn to brush. I’ve encountered books that teach more, but the ten here are broken down and explained thoroughly. I note that they are also presented roughly in order of difficulty, which to me indicates a well-thought out, didactical progression.
The only weakness I maintain is some imprecision in the description of technique. All basic brush strokes and their uses in characters are described completely. However, I found a few descriptions confusing. For example, compare “Pull your energy upward from the back of the brush while you let the tip slowly come down toward” (harai-right) and “Pull the energy upward and let the tip of the brush follow” (hane). In these two contexts, “up” means either lifting out-of-plane or pushing away from the body. This and other examples left me confused. I found cross-referencing other books or YouTube videos necessary.
To sum, I find Takeda’s book lets the heart of shodo shine brightly. For a self-learner like me, I consider it an indispensable resource.
As a beginner, I often find my brush work to be clumsy and not at all like what I am trying to mimic. This means that, mid-stroke, I find myself disappointed and frustrated with the result before the piece is even finished. I also get so hyperfocused on trying to get the technique right that I cannot relax.
I’ve found Takeda’s book to be the right antidote for this situation. She does, I believe, the best job of presenting the Zen heart of shodo: posture, awareness, diaphragmatic breathing, meditation, body-mind integration, and ki. As a scientist, I’ve found discussions of ki to be too vague for my taste. But I found the presentation of ki here to help toward achieving the clear mind that allows one to enjoy the process, regardless of result.
Takeda’s style is gentle and friendly. At first I also felt it too repetitive and unclear. I initially resonated with other authors. But over time my opinion flipped, and I found myself cherishing the warmth and joy of her tone.
An additional strength of this book is the ten expressions (each including anywhere from one to four characters) that you learn to brush. I’ve encountered books that teach more, but the ten here are broken down and explained thoroughly. I note that they are also presented roughly in order of difficulty, which to me indicates a well-thought out, didactical progression.
The only weakness I maintain is some imprecision in the description of technique. All basic brush strokes and their uses in characters are described completely. However, I found a few descriptions confusing. For example, compare “Pull your energy upward from the back of the brush while you let the tip slowly come down toward” (harai-right) and “Pull the energy upward and let the tip of the brush follow” (hane). In these two contexts, “up” means either lifting out-of-plane or pushing away from the body. This and other examples left me confused. I found cross-referencing other books or YouTube videos necessary.
To sum, I find Takeda’s book lets the heart of shodo shine brightly. For a self-learner like me, I consider it an indispensable resource.
January 8, 2024
Книгата е практическо ръководство, всъщност си е направо книжен мини курс по японска калиграфия, ако трябва да бъда откровена.
Споменавайки това, според мен ако човек никога не е виждал демонстрация на shodo на живо, вероятно книгата ще му дойде трудна за разшифроване. Посещавала съм мини работилница по японска калиграфия в София и докато четох книгата си припомнях колко невероятно приятно изживяване е да практикуваш shodo и можех да визуализирам в главата си отделните стъпки, но се притеснявам, че ако не си пробвал сам или не си гледал някакъв вид демонстрация, нищо няма да ти говорят нещата.
Това настрана, авторката на книгата има и Domestika курс, който вероятно чудесно ще се допълва с книгата и моите планове са в някакъв момент да комбинирам двете и да пробвам упражненията в книгата и дай боже си създам редовна калиграфска практика.
Книжката е малка, но красиво оформена. По-голямата част от книгата са десет упражнения на десет думи и там има едно непрестанно повтаряне на информация, тъй като структурата и стъпките са едни и същи, та тази практическа част не е точно лесно четима. Наистина е много повтарящо и в един момент започва да ти е досадно да четеш едно и също нещо, да се успиваш и да ти доскучава, но пък всяка дума има своето описание и произход, което беше интересно като информация.
С това имам предвид, че да четеш книгата просто за четене, както аз направих - си е малко безсмислено упражнение без да си готов да задълбаеш и да пробваш предложената практика. :)
Споменавайки това, според мен ако човек никога не е виждал демонстрация на shodo на живо, вероятно книгата ще му дойде трудна за разшифроване. Посещавала съм мини работилница по японска калиграфия в София и докато четох книгата си припомнях колко невероятно приятно изживяване е да практикуваш shodo и можех да визуализирам в главата си отделните стъпки, но се притеснявам, че ако не си пробвал сам или не си гледал някакъв вид демонстрация, нищо няма да ти говорят нещата.
Това настрана, авторката на книгата има и Domestika курс, който вероятно чудесно ще се допълва с книгата и моите планове са в някакъв момент да комбинирам двете и да пробвам упражненията в книгата и дай боже си създам редовна калиграфска практика.
Книжката е малка, но красиво оформена. По-голямата част от книгата са десет упражнения на десет думи и там има едно непрестанно повтаряне на информация, тъй като структурата и стъпките са едни и същи, та тази практическа част не е точно лесно четима. Наистина е много повтарящо и в един момент започва да ти е досадно да четеш едно и също нещо, да се успиваш и да ти доскучава, но пък всяка дума има своето описание и произход, което беше интересно като информация.
С това имам предвид, че да четеш книгата просто за четене, както аз направих - си е малко безсмислено упражнение без да си готов да задълбаеш и да пробваш предложената практика. :)
January 1, 2023
This is a beautiful introduction to the world of Shodo. The author expertly outlines such an ancient and important art in a way that is easy to understand for beginners and non-Japanese speaking people. Covering topics such as essential equipment, initial techniques and practice kanji, as well as the more weighty aspects of zen and mindfulness, this rounded approach to Shodo ensures anyone can practice and begin to see the benefits of this kind of approach.
Having the author's examples throughout the book was really wonderful, and helped to gain that understanding of the difference between Shodo and merely writing out the characters, It also assists with learning Japanese for anyone not familiar with the kanji covered. I felt like reading on my kindle didn't allow the work to shine as it should, so I'd recommend getting a hard copy of this book,
A lovely piece that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in Japanese language & culture, mindfulness, or calligraphy itself.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions here are my own, honest, and freely given.
Having the author's examples throughout the book was really wonderful, and helped to gain that understanding of the difference between Shodo and merely writing out the characters, It also assists with learning Japanese for anyone not familiar with the kanji covered. I felt like reading on my kindle didn't allow the work to shine as it should, so I'd recommend getting a hard copy of this book,
A lovely piece that I would recommend to anyone with an interest in Japanese language & culture, mindfulness, or calligraphy itself.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC - all opinions here are my own, honest, and freely given.
October 13, 2022
I enjoyed this and found it really useful as I have recently taken interested in calligraphy. I have yet to try the techniques but am looking forward to putting them into practice.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.
May 17, 2023
I very much enjoyed this beautiful book. The illustrations and directions are well done, concise and clear. The combination of Calligraphy and Mindfulness interested me and Shodo was not a disappointment. I would thank the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC of this lovely book.
December 18, 2022
A good book for beginners, the book is very well written
The zen and mindfulness was an interesting part to read and helped me to think about things I usually forget about. As a child I was very interested in Calligraphy so this was a nostalgic read for me and it's something I think I'd like to take back up again, it's often a dying art as we move further into the modern world, it's something we should keep alive, Shodo is very expertly researched and translates into a wonderful book that is slightly different to most given the subject topic and it's because it has the highlighted area's of zen and meditation something I feel the modern world needs.
A very calming book and a very interested and mindful read.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for my somewhat late but not forgotten review!
The zen and mindfulness was an interesting part to read and helped me to think about things I usually forget about. As a child I was very interested in Calligraphy so this was a nostalgic read for me and it's something I think I'd like to take back up again, it's often a dying art as we move further into the modern world, it's something we should keep alive, Shodo is very expertly researched and translates into a wonderful book that is slightly different to most given the subject topic and it's because it has the highlighted area's of zen and meditation something I feel the modern world needs.
A very calming book and a very interested and mindful read.
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for my somewhat late but not forgotten review!
October 7, 2022
I would like to thank NetGalley and Watkins Media Limited for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Shodo by Rie Takeda. This book is very clearly written. I enjoyed the detailed breakdown of the different Shodo Calligraphy techniques. The stoke instructions were easy to follow, especially on the ebook set up next to my workspace. The beginning of the book has a detailed history of the practice and is quite interesting. All of these things in themselves would make this book a real gem for anyone's art room. What sets this book apart is taking the idea of a regular Shodo practice into a more meditative, mindfulness practice. The relaxation and energy achieved from trying her techniques were much welcomed by this stressed-out reader!
I thoroughly enjoyed Shodo by Rie Takeda. This book is very clearly written. I enjoyed the detailed breakdown of the different Shodo Calligraphy techniques. The stoke instructions were easy to follow, especially on the ebook set up next to my workspace. The beginning of the book has a detailed history of the practice and is quite interesting. All of these things in themselves would make this book a real gem for anyone's art room. What sets this book apart is taking the idea of a regular Shodo practice into a more meditative, mindfulness practice. The relaxation and energy achieved from trying her techniques were much welcomed by this stressed-out reader!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews