Triangular Calligraphy Set with 5 Brushes

Triangular Calligraphy Set with 5 Brushes

This handsome set contains all the tools necessary to create traditional Chinese calligraphy. Included are five fine brushes made of ornamented bamboo and hair, a blue and white porcelain brush rest, a stick of solid black ink, a stone palette for mixing ink, a porcelain water holder, a soapstone chop, ready to be carved with your own artist mark, a decorated porcelain pot filled with red ink, and a brass spoon. The set is presented in a fan shaped case covered in muted green and gold brocade with bone fasteners. The interior is lined in red velvet, with molded indentations to hold each item.

By controlling the concentration of ink, the thickness and adsorptivity of the paper, and the flexibility of the brush, the artist is free to produce an infinite variety of styles and forms. In contrast to western calligraphy, diffusing ink blots and dry brush strokes are viewed as a natural impromptu expression rather than a fault. While western calligraphy often pursue font-like uniformity, homogeneity of characters in one size is only a craft. To the artist, calligraphy is a mental exercise that coordinates the mind and the body to choose the best styling in expressing the content of the passage. It is a most relaxing yet highly disciplined exercise indeed for one's physical and spiritual well being. Historically, many calligraphy artists were well-known for their longevity.

 

Brush calligraphy is not only loved and practiced by Chinese. Koreans and Japanese equally adore calligraphy as an important treasure of their heritage. Many Japanese schools still have the tradition of having a student contest of writing big characters during beginning of a new school year. A biannual gathering commemorating the Lanting Xu by Wang Xi Zhi (The most famous Chinese calligrapher in Jin dynasty, ) is said to be held ceremonially in Japan. There is a national award of Wang Xi Zhi prize for the best calligraphy artist. Not too long ago, Korean government officials were required to excel in calligraphy. The office of Okinawa governor still displays a large screen of Chinese calligraphy as a dominating decor.

 

In the West, Picasso and Matisse are two artists who openly declared the influence by Chinese calligraphy on their works.