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“Bokki, Spirit of the Brush” by Zakyu-An Senshō depicts the ideogram for ichi, meaning “one.” See pages 15–16.
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd
Copyright © 2013 by Shozo Sato
Background image for cover, front & back endpapers, pages 14-15; 24-25, 36-37; 50-51; 66-67; 82-83; 112-113; 154-155; 162-163: ©abzee/istockphoto.com
Special thanks to Rev. Robert Yanasak for several of the photographs in Chapter 9.
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Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data for this title is on record at the Library of Congress.
ISBN: 978-1-4629-1188-2 (ebook)
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Mizu Itaru Kiyoshi Nashi Sakana (“Water Reaches Purity No Fish”) by Zakyu-An Senshō. See page 151.
Sen Shin (“Purify the Soul”) by Seikō Hirata of Tenryu-ji. See page 62.
Contents
Bokki: The Spirit of the Brush
The Chinese Roots of Shodo
The Artistry and Philosophy of Bokuseki
CHAPTER 1
What Is Kanji?
Writing Styles
CHAPTER 2
The Four Treasures
Mastering the Brush
Useful Information for Basic Brush Strokes
CHAPTER 3
Mu (“Nothingness”)
Mu or Yume (“Dream”)
Hanatsu (“Release”)
CHAPTER 4
Nyoze (“As It Is”)
Fu Metsu (“Immortal” or “Indestructible”)
Sen Shin (“Purify the Soul”)
CHAPTER 5
Mu Kan Sho (“No Hot Cold”)
Kai Da Ko (“Release Beat Drum”)
Mu Sho Jū (“No Place to Live”)
Zai Gan Zen (“Front of Your Eyes”)
CHAPTER 6
Ichi Go Ichi E (“One Lifetime One Meeting”)
Wa Kei Sei Jaku (“Harmony Respect Purity Tranquility”)
Za Ichi Sō Shichi (“Sit