Skip to content

The way of the Universe in Zen Calligraphy

In September at Zen Brush Shodo calligraphy, as we moved into Autumn, we brushed the dynamic two kanji characters of the word Shinnyo 真如 – meaning tathata or the true thusness or reality of things and the universe. They are lovely characters to brush, and we had some time to get a feel for the fude brush and practice the strokes.

The way of the Universe in Zen Calligraphy

Finding the balance between both kanji, we brushed them together in three styles (kaisho, gyōsho, sōsho), and this time we looked at some different versions of the kanji styles from calligraphers dating back to the Tang and other Chinese dynasties, such as Ogishi (王羲之), Chiei(智永) and Chosuiryo (褚遂良) ✨

The way of the Universe in Zen Calligraphy
The way of the Universe in Zen Calligraphy

A waka poem by Dogen Zenji catches the wondrous interconnected nature of things  –

To what shall
I liken the world?
Moonlight, reflected
In dewdrops,
Shaken from a crane’s bill.

Dogen Zenji -translation by Heine

Thanks to everyone for taking part, and to some of the participants for sharing your efforts – we like the funky iPad calligraphy!