Some Ideas About Chinese Calligraphy

(Sample English names translated phonetically)

To the Western mind, calligraphy means beautiful writing. For centuries, people in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries have been fascinated by practicing Chinese calligraphy in that it is not just writing or giving autographs. It is a sublime art form with deep mental focus combined with theories and philosophy. It requires one to cultivate his mind, body and spirit to achieve a high level in Chinese calligraphy. (Of course, it can also be practiced as a hobby.) My demonstration or service here is to share with you Chinese calligraphy in its purest and most original spirit.

There are some popular misconceptions about Chinese calligraphy:  

• Chinese characters are "symbols."
  All the writings in the world can be categorized into picture writing, ideography, and alphabetic writing. Chinese characters have revolutionized from picture writing to ideograph, and then the current Standard Style (Kai Shu). Chinese characters are composed of strokes, radicals, and section headings. Chinese characters are NOT symbols. And they are traditionally read and written from "top to bottom" and then "RIGHT to LEFT."
  
  There are five major styles of Chinese calligraphy and numerous "derived styles" within each major style. Each master calligrapher's style is based on their insight and artistic creation.
  
  

• People usually think "faster and bigger" writings are more skillful or of higher level.
  

  About speed:

  Our eyes may deceive us. When we watch an airplane and a car moving, can our eyes tell us which is faster? Speed is relative, not absolute. It depends on the observer’s position.

  Not only Chinese calligraphy adopts the importance of “slow practice” which is quite contrary to the public notion. Carl Tausig, Franz Liszt’s favorite student, would play slowly every note and detail again on the piano right after each concert. He was such a brilliant pianist  and it was said that he had no equal! The Chinese internal martial arts (Taichi, Hsing Yi, and Ba Gwa) also emphasize on slow practice... If you practice "slowly" with your mind focused, you will be "astonished" by your progress. In fact, some of the best masterpieces of Chinese painting were completed after the painters had worked for 3 to 5 years!

  Sometimes during my public events, some Chinese would come to me and say, "Can you write faster? You don't need to write that beautifully for non-Chinese? They cannot even read Chinese characters..." As an artist, I treat every character I write with sincerity, respect, and delicate design. 

  Would you like your work to be created with enough respect and deliberate mental design and be appreciated for long or lifetime? Or you just want it right away?

  I cannot "water down" or rush my art even if you are not a Chinese. It's against my artistic conscience to be dishonest. (This DOES NOT mean that I will slow down in the public events.)

  About size:

  Some people think that the bigger sizes are more impressive. However, the saying "The varieties and nuances of beauty are just within inches. ( 方寸之間，氣象萬千 )" applies to Chinese calligraphy and seals. In fact, small scale writings are more difficult due to precision requirement.
  
  

• About signature:

  The saying "If it is not signed, it's worthless" may NOT be applied to Chinese calligraphy and some Asian arts. Most of the best masterpieces of calligraphy were "anonymous" in ancient China. The artists were not concerned about fame and were "not possessive." If the artwork is not signed, the art already speaks for itself and the creator. A forged signature only "destroys" the original work. So why worry if it's not signed?

  Chinese artists never sign on the "back" of the painting or calligraphy works. The signature and seal(s) are placed usually at the corners of the painting or calligraphy works.

   

To sum up, writing Chinese calligraphy is a deliberate (not tedious) coordination of :

• mind: belief, personality, philosophy, artistic and creative design, concentration...

• body: ergonomics, muscle and nerve coordination, energy (Chi or Qi) level...

• spirit: the beauty of our human soul

This is why Chinese calligraphers live longer and healthier than most Chinese people throughout history.

So, please take your time and do not rush for services. 

Thank you for your time and understanding.

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