Bristol University Japanese Calligraphy Workshop
In the Arts Complex of Bristol University at the end of April, Blair presented two taster Japanese Shodō calligraphy workshops with a Zen theme, for the Buddhist Studies Day in the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, with schools and staff participating.
This was part of a varied and educational day of events including discussions, demonstrations and lectures by university staff on Indian Buddhism, Zen Meditation and Mahayana Philosophy. It was a fun filled and insightful day of activity.
Taking the Zen word Godō 悟道, meaning the way or path of satori/enlightenment, Blair discussed the Buddhist and Taoist meanings and origins of the kanji characters, looking at the shell and bone kōkotsubun 甲骨文 examples as well as discussing transliteration, before working on stroke practice and then brushing Godō firstly in kaisho regular script and then the more flowing sōsho fully cursive, with examples brushed by Zen practitioner calligraphers.
