Calligraphy

Calligraphy (from Greek καλλος kallos "beauty" + γραφος graphos "writing") is the art of decorative writing. A style of calligraphy is described as a hand.

East Asian calligraphy

[[Image:Su shi-calligraphy.jpg|frame|right|This piece of Chinese calligraphy was penned by Song Dynasty official Su Shi.

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For centuries, Chinese literati were expected to master the art of calligraphy.]]

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Calligraphy is an art dating back to the earliest day of history, and widely practiced throughout China to this day. Although it uses Chinese words as its vehicle of expression, one does not have to know Chinese to appreciate its beauty. Calligraphy, in essence, is an abstract art.

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East Asian calligraphy typically uses ink brushes to write Chinese characters (called Hanzi in Chinese, Kanji in Japanese, and Hanja in Korean). Calligraphy (in Chinese, Shufa 書法, in Japanese Shodō 書道, in Korean, Seoyae 書藝, all meaning "the way of writing") is considered an important art in East Asia and the most refined form of East Asian painting.

Related Topics:
Ink brush - Chinese character - Kanji - Japanese - Hanja - Korean - Shufa - Shodō - Seoyae - East Asia - Painting

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Calligraphy has influenced most major art styles in East Asia, including sumi-e, a style of Chinese and Japanese painting based entirely on calligraphy.

Related Topics:
East Asia - Sumi-e - Chinese - Japanese painting

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