I have been studying Japanese calligraphy, or shodo, for about two years now. I got into it at the suggestion of a designer friend who I often do calligraphy for, and which he incorporates into his designs. When I say "do calligraphy for," what I mean is having a drink or two, and sitting on the floor for a couple of hours scribbling the same words over and over with a felt-tip pen, and faxing the results to my friend until he gets something he likes.
My moment of calligraphic glory so far was seeing my handiwork, i.e. the word "chemistry" as the title of an album cover emblazoned on one of those massive advertising trucks that ply the streets of Shinjuku. And if you haven't heard of Chemistry, it's a top selling Japanese rock-pop duo.
I've also done calligraphy for the album covers of other such "greats" as the Brilliant Green, Lisa, Tohoshinki, Eriko Imai, Kyo, Uehara Nami, Minori Chihara, Goose Bumps (I linked to this one because I like it), Shikao Suga, Naoto Kine, Kumiko Yamashita, to name a few.
On a more humble note, here's tonight's project. It's the end of the month, so we have to send our best to our teacher's teacher on Shikoku, who marks it and sends it back with comments. I've only just started gyosho, the cursive style you see pictured here. It looks kind of random, but it's actually just as exacting as the more print-like kaisho. And it means something like "reading is a solitary pleasure." Well, it sure ain't disco!
