The 8th Century Masters

• By the 8th century the Japanese had begun to achieve considerable skill in the art of calligraphy. Three great masters of calligraphy in the 8th century were all influenced by the popular calligraphic style of the T'ang Chinese master Yan Zhenqing. The three Japanese 8th century masters are known as the "sanpitsu" or the "Three Great Brushes." They are: the Buddhist monk Kuukai (774-835); the Emperor Saga (786-842) and the courtier Tachibana no Hayanari (778-842). These three artists are responsible for popularizing calligraphy in Japan.
  
  

Unique Japanese Style

• In the 10th and11th centuries, the talented artists Ono no Tofu, Fujiwara no Sukemasa and Fujiwara no Yukinari developed the first uniquely Japanese style of calligraphy called wayou. Fujiwara no Yukinari's particular style led to the creation of the Sesonji School and Ono no Tofu's style began the Shouren School which went on to produce the Oie style that became the dominant Japanese style.
  
  

Buddhism and Calligraphy

• Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the middle of the 6th century and was influential in popularizing the art of calligraphy. Buddhist texts and poetry were produced and circulated using ornate calligraphy styles. Calligraphy was used by Japanese Buddhists as a way of showing their reverence for the Buddhist scriptures. When Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan from China in the 12th century it had a profound effect on Japanese culture in general. Zen influenced architecture, poetry, painting and ceramics; it had a large influence on Japanese calligraphy. Zen Buddhism promotes the importance of present moment attention, and calligraphy was seen as a perfect technique for attaining such attention; Zen sees calligraphy as a spiritual practice.
  
  

Main styles

• There are three main basic styles in Japanese calligraphy: kaisho, gyousho and sousho. Each has developed over the course of the last 10 centuries. Kaisho is a block style with little flow or movement; it is also called shinsho. Gyousho is an intermediate style which flows; it is not as stiff as kaisho or as flowing as the advanced style, sousho. Sousho is practiced by calligraphy masters; it is written with swift stokes and is highly demanding. The most extreme form of sousho is Kana, which is elegant and refined.
  
  

Modern styles and global influnence

• Japanese calligraphy has grown and evolved since its inception. Zen-ei sho--an avant-garde post-war calligraphy style--is an example of a recent stage in the evolution of Japanese calligraphy. The art form has also had a marked influence on Western art, notably on the work of Matisse and Picasso. Japanese calligraphy styles are also popular in Western industrial art, for example, in the logos of companies.