We brushed the two kanji characters in the inspiring zen phrase Dōtoku 道得 (lterally way/express ; grasp/pick up/able to) which can be translated as expressing the way, expressing truth, or picking up the way. Blair discussed their Zen meanings and connection to calligraphic expression in… Read More »Expressing the Way in Shodo Japanese Calligraphy
At Zen Brush, our online Shodō calligraphy group (monthly on zoom) we brushed the four kanji characters in the heartful zen phrase Anjin-ryumyo 安心立命 (literally ease/peace ; heart-mind ; stand; fate). This can be translated in various ways such as peace and enlightenment, or letting… Read More »Midsummer Zen Shodo Calligraphy
At our online Shodō calligraphy group (monthly on zoom) we brushed the elemental zen word Unsui 雲水, literally meaning clouds and water, and more specifically meaning novice zen monks and nuns (it is shortened from going clouds-flowing waters), coming from a Chinese poem ‘to drift… Read More »Swirling inky clouds and water in Shodō calligraphy
At our zoom Shodō calligraphy in March, we brushed the beautiful zen phrase Ekō -henshō 回向返照, meaning ‘turning the light inward and illuminating the self’, or ‘turning facing, answering with light’. Blair talked about the meanings of the phrase and use in Master Dogen’s meditation… Read More »Brushing Zen Calligraphy: Turning the Light Inward
This month we brushed the expressive Omoi Yokoshima Nashi 思無邪, a Confucian and zenny phrase Blair’s first Shodo teacher Master Waskabayashi worked on. He was a great Granpa to Blair and gifted him several materials, books and lots of Shodo inspiration about Zen, nature and… Read More »Brushing freedom at Zen Shodo Calligraphy
We met online on Zoom for our cosy and friendly group for some calming and relaxing copying of the inspiring Heart Sutra 般若心経. It was a great practice for embracing the New Year and wishing wellbeing. The famous Heart Sutra – Maka Hannya Haramitta Shingyo -is… Read More »New Year Sutra Tracing – Meditative Heart Shakyo
At Shodō calligraphy for our first group this Tiger year (Tora in Japanese), we peacefully brushed the very airy and natural feeling Genpū 玄風 . This is a lovely zen word that can mean mysterious winds, meaning the profound teachings of the ancient zen teachers… Read More »Shodo Brushing the Winds of the Ancient Teachings
At Shodō calligraphy for our last group together in 2021, we had great fun brushing the lovely loose characters of Shikantaza 只管打坐 , about Zen sitting meditation (Zazen). We enjoyed exploring the kanji characters together in the semi cursive Gyōsho style and the quirky old… Read More »Brushing Shikantaza at Shodō Zen Calligraphy
Our Tenkoku Japanese and Chinese stamp making group explored composition and how to create movement and atmosphere. We had some images of sunshine, figures and spears too in the old tensho seal engraving characters ✨ We also enjoyed some carving, chipping away at our stones. Blair… Read More »Light and Movement at Tenkoku Stampmaking
It was a cosy and fang-tastic Halloween themed Sutra Tracing group on the 31st October, copying the famous Heart Sutra – Hannya Shingyo, known more fully as the Heart of the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. We couldn’t keep away the demons from joining, but thankfully… Read More »Fang-tastic Halloween Shakyo