The art of calligraphy is widelypracticed and revered in the East Asian civilizations that useChinese characters. These include China, Japan, Korea, and formerlyVietnam[1].In addition to being an artform in its own right,calligraphy has also influenced ink and wash painting, which isaccomplished using similar tools and techniques. The East Asiantradition of calligraphy originated and developed from China,specifically the ink and brush writing of Chinese characters. Thereis a general standardization of the various styles of calligraphyin the East Asian tradition. Calligraphy has also led to thedevelopment of many other forms of art in East Asia, including sealcarving, ornate paperweights, and inkstones.
Tools
The paper, ink, brush, and inkstone are essential implements ofEast Asian calligraphy: they are known together as the FourTreasures of the Study (T: 文房四宝 / S: 文房四宝) in China, and as theFour Friends of the Study (HG: ???? / HJ: 文房四友) in Korea. Inaddition to these four tools, desk pads and paperweights are alsoused by calligraphers.
Paper
Special types of paper are used in East Asian calligraphy.
In China, Xuanzhi, traditionally made in Anhui province, is thepreferred type of paper. It is made from the Tartar wingceltis(Pteroceltis tartarianovii), as well as other materials includingrice, the paper mulberry (Broussonetia papyrifera), bamboo, hemp,etc.
In Japan, Washi is made from the kozo (paper mulberry), ganpi(Wikstroemia sikokiana), and mitsumata (Edgeworthia papyrifera), aswell as other materials like bamboo, hemp, rice, and wheat.somtimes the brush is used to put ink on a pen
Ink
The ink is made from lampblack (soot) and binders, and comes insticks which must be rubbed with water on an inkstone until theright consistency is achieved. Much cheaper, pre-mixed bottled inksare now available, but these are used primarily for practice asstick inks are considered higher quality and chemical inks are moreprone to bleeding over time, making them less suitable for use inhanging scrolls. Learning to rub the ink is an essential part ofcalligraphy study. Traditionally, East Asian calligraphy is writtenonly in black ink, but modern calligraphers sometimes use othercolours. Calligraphy teachers use a bright orange ink with whichthey write practice characters for students and correct students'work.
Brush
The brush is the traditional writing implement in East Asiancalligraphy. The body of the brush can be made from either bamboo,or rarer materials like red sandalwood, glass, ivory, silver, andgold. The head of the brush can be made from the hair (or feather)of a wide variety of animals, including the wolf, rabbit, deer,chicken, duck, goat, pig, tiger, etc. There is also a tradition inboth China and Japan of making a brush using the hair of a newborn,as a once-in-a-lifetime souvenir for the child. This practice isassociated with the legend of an ancient Chinese scholar who scoredfirst in the Imperial examinations by using such a personalizedbrush.
Today, calligraphy may also be done using a pen, but pencalligraphy does not enjoy the same prestige as traditional brushcalligraphy.
Inkstone
A stone or ceramic inkstone is used to rub the solid ink stick intoliquid ink and to contain the ink once it is liquid. Cheaperinkstones are made of plastic.
Inkstones are often carved, so they are collectible works of art ontheir own.
Paperweight
Paperweights come in several types: some are oblong wooden blockscarved with calligraphic or pictorial designs; others areessentially small sculptures of people or animals. Like inkstones,paperweights are collectible works of art on their own right.
Desk pad
The desk pad (Chinese T: 画毡, S: 画毡, Pinyin: huàzhān; Japanese: 下敷shitajiki) is a pad made of felt. Some are printed with grids onboth sides, so that when it is placed under the translucent paper,it can be used as a guide to ensure correct placement and size ofcharacters. These printed pads are used only by students. Both deskpads and the printed grids come in a variety of sizes.
Seal
Main article: Chinese seal
Works of calligraphy are usually completed by the artist puttinghis or her seal at the very end, in red ink. The seal serves thefunction of a signature.
Study
The Chinese method of holding the brushHow the brush is helddepends on which calligraphic genre is practiced. For Chinesecalligraphy, the method of holding the brush is more special; thebrush is held vertically straight gripped between the thumb andmiddle finger. The index finger lightly touches the upper part ofthe shaft of the brush (stabilizing it) while the ring and littlefingers tuck under the bottom of the shaft. The palm is hollow andyou should be able to hold an egg in there. This method, althoughdifficult to hold correctly for the beginner, allows greaterfreedom of movement, control and execution of strokes. For Japanesecalligraphy, the brush is held in the right hand between the thumband the index finger, very much like a Western pen.
A paperweight is placed at the top of all but the largest pages toprevent slipping; for smaller pieces the left hand is also placedat the bottom of the page for support.
In China, there are many people who practice calligraphy in publicplaces such as parks and sidewalks, using water as their ink andthe ground as their paper. Very large brushes are required.Although such calligraphic works are temporary (as the water willeventually dry), they serve the dual purpose of both being aninformal public display of one's work, and an opportunity tofurther practice one's calligraphy.
In Japan, smaller pieces of Japanese calligraphy are traditionallywritten seated in the traditional Japanese way (seiza), on theknees with the buttocks resting on the heels. In modern times,however, practitioners frequently practice calligraphy seated on achair at a table. Larger pieces may be written while standing; inthis case the paper is usually placed directly on the floor, butsome calligraphers use an easel.
A man practicing calligraphy in Beihai Park, BeijingCalligraphytakes many years of dedicated practice. Correct stroke order,proper balance and rhythm of characters are essential incalligraphy. Skilled handling of the brush produces a pleasingbalance of characters on the paper, thick and thin lines, and heavyand light inking. In most cases, a calligrapher will practicewriting the Chinese character yong (永) many, many times in order toperfect the eight basic essential strokes contained within thecharacter. Those who can correctly write the yong characterbeautifully can potentially write all characters with beauty.
Basic calligraphy instruction is part of the regular schoolcurriculum in both China and Japan.
中国书法艺术的特点（中英文）
1.中国书法是用动物或植物纤维等制成的圆锥形毛笔，按照中国书法的书写法则来书写汉字的线条艺术，在世界艺术中独一无二。西方许多艺术大师如毕加索、米卢、达芬奇等等都曾从中国书法里学习借鉴书法线条的表现方法。
Zhong Guo Shu Fa (ChineseCalligraphy), world unique art of strokes, is to write Chinesecharacters using a cone-shaped brush made from animal fur or plantfibre. Many great western artists like Picasso and da Vinci hadalso studied and referred to the expressive technique ofcalligraphic strokes from Zhong Guo Shu Fa.
2、中国书法艺术表现的汉字艺术有五种－－篆书、隶书、楷书、行书和草书。
汉字已有8000～10000年的历史。
There are five character fonts presented by Zhong GuoShu Fa —— Zhuan Shu (seal character), Li Shu (officialscript), Kai Shu (regular script), Xing Shu (running script) andCao Shu (cursive script). Chinese characters have a history of 8000~ 10000 years.
3、中国书法的线条可以体现书写人的个性特征、书写时的喜怒哀乐、平和与激动等心情，具有抽象和具象结合的艺术特点。
Strokes in Zhong Guo Shu Fa, which artisticallycombine abstract with representation, can reflect the hand-writer’spersonality and as well show happiness, anger, sadness,cheerfulness, peace of mind and excitement at the time ofperformance.
中国书法用线条造型，书写具有象形特征的汉字，体现轻、重、缓、急、枯、湿、浓、淡、涩等艺术性。
Zhong Guo Shu Fa uses strokesto shape pictographic Chinese characters, in artistic styles suchas gentle, heavy, slow, brisk, dry, damp, dense, light andrough.
4、学习和练习中国书法，具有提高脑神经和手指等的灵敏度，加强思想注意力，培养耐心和毅力，预防老年痴呆。并且具有练习中国气功的健身延寿的作用。所以，中国书画家普遍长寿。
Learning and practising Zhong Guo Shu Fa may helpincrease sensitivity in cranial nerve and fingers, promoteconcentration, cultivate patience and willpower and prevent seniledementia. One can enjoy prolonged life and promoted health throughit —— the same benefit from practising ChineseQigong. Therefore, Chinese painters and calligraphers aregenerally known for their longevity.
5、拿中国毛笔的方法一般是五指执笔法，笔杆要竖直。
Basically, one should use five fingers to hold a Chinesewriting brush and keep the shaft upright.
6、好的书法艺术是书写人的文化艺术修养，高超的书法技巧和宣纸、毛笔、中国墨的完美结合。
Fine calligraphy is a perfect integration of hand-writer’scultural and artistic accomplishment, excellent handwritingtechnique, rice paper, brush and Chinese ink.
7、中国书法必须通过长期的训练才能进入艺术的境界。
The artistic realm of Zhong Guo Shu Fa can only beachieved through continuous long-term practice.
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