The origin of calligraphy 201210912
shungo sato
Topic: The origin of calligraphy
What is calligraphy? At first, the letter was
used only as means to convey. With development of the culture, a method to
express was born aesthetic by a letter. Such aesthetic letters are called “sho”, and
learning about that is calligraphy. In
generally, a thing used to writing brash and Chinese ink is called “mohitu”, and a thing used to a pen is called
“kohitu”.
･ The origin of
letters
The origin of calligraphy is Chinese. The Han race moved
to the Yellow River coast from the northwest about 5,000 years ago. And the
place became cultural center. Because people
carried out agriculture and livestock farming. Then, the letter
was born, and Chinese calligraphy is beginning. Compare to the letter at the
time with current letter, there are big difference. For example, at that time, the letter that mimics the
shape of the animal was common. Shape of
the letter began to change over
time. The origin of writing brash and Chinese ink is not known
clearly. But there are some theories. I would like to introduce to the origin
of brash and Chinese ink.
･
The origin of writing brash and chinese ink
Nobody knows for sure. When the letter was born, Chinese people had
dug letters in animal bone or metal. Then people used to a knife. Originally,
writing brash and Chinese ink was not born to write the letter. They are
created to color in pottery. These is the story of the years
from 1600 to 1050
BC. Several hundred years, the brash was used to write
the letter finally.
･ The origin of paper
The origin of the paper is said
to be "papyrus" in ancient Egypt 5,000 years ago. But, the
paper that we know were quite different. Which was the original form of
the current paper is one that is present
in the era of the Chinese Han. It is the story about 200 BC. Fabrication
technology of this paper was
spread by trade
through the Silk Road.
･ Beginning of “mohitu”
In this way, the tools of calligraphy is laid. From 206 BC to 221 BC, Chinese
general “moten” had begun to “mohitu”. He made new calligraphy brash. At the time, the brush was made from
rabbit hair. In addition, a variety of animals, such as deer,
cats, horses, goats were used. He was presented the brash to the emperor. This was a chance to spread calligraphy.
Calligraphy has a long history. Calligraphy has undergone various changes in its long history. Calligraphy has been developed
not only in China but also in the West. Here is
quite different from the Chinese
Calligraphy. Next , I would like to introduce the history
of these.
･sources
大島正二 『漢字伝来』（岩波新書、2006年）
