Shodo: The Art of Coordinating Mind, Body and Brush [Paperback]

William Reed (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1990

Explains how the brush can be used to rejuvenate the mind and body and release creativity, demonstrates how to recognize, visualize, and write Japanesse characters, and discusses the aesthetics of Japanese calligraphy.

Shodo: The 'Way of the Brush' is not just an art of painting Oriental calligraphy on paper. Shodo is the art of refining your chapter, and integrating mind and body through the brush. It is also considered to be one of the few arts which achieves a perfect fusion of language, emotion, and vision. Yet because of the language barrier, it has long been a mystery to the Western mind. This book offers an insider's view of the art, based on the authors's years of study Ki energy in the Japanese arts.

Product Details

• Paperback: 197 pages
• Publisher: Japan Pubns (March 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0870407848
• ISBN-13: 978-0870407840
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,151,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is a must for the practitioner of the art, May 7, 2000

By 

Ahmet Kutsi Nircan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shodo: The Art of Coordinating Mind, Body and Brush (Paperback)

Having studied shodo for more than 10 years, I felt very lucky to find this book in a bookshop back in 1998.

Where English sources are very scarce, this book provided me everything from how to handle the brush to the aesthetics.

Mr. Reed takes the subject in its broadest form and with use of many black&white pictures he succesfully explains the "Way of Brush Writing".

It is a must for the practitioner, and as well for those who are interested in Japanese culture. I think those who are intested in Chinese painting and Sumi-e will like it too.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top Notch!, August 15, 2009

By 

L. D. Rafey "math'nmore" (Ft. Walton Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shodo: The Art of Coordinating Mind, Body and Brush (Paperback)

I have reviewed dozens of texts concerning the art of Shodo, but this one really stands out as exceptional. Reed covers every aspect with almost painful attention to detail and even includes some interesting cognitive concepts concerning the mental processing involved in this particular art. There is no mystery here but an entirely straight forward approach to the art and skill required with emphasis on the central concept of coordinating mind, body and brush to render the vision of the individual artist's essential connection with the subject. This text is an absolute must for the beginner or the intermediate Shodokan (even an advanced student will benefit, I would think). Additionally, don't overlook Alison Cameron's Chinese Painting Techniques, in which, once again, extraordinary attention to detail is emphasized. Between these two texts, all questions are answered concerning the use of the brush, strokes and materials as well as technique. If the student is interested in transfering the techniques to painting, Lian Quan Zhen's Chines Painting Techniques for Exquisite Watercolors is top of line.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book on "the way of the Brush" Shodo., July 26, 2009

By 

Joseph J. Truncale "warriorwriter" (Vernon Hills, Il) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shodo: The Art of Coordinating Mind, Body and Brush (Paperback)

I have been a life time student of the martial arts (Karate, Judo, Kobudo, Kenjutsu)and I even took up the study of Shodo for a short while. This book was very helpful to me when I was began my study of this art form. This is not a book to read superficially. This excellent text is to be studied in order to get the most out of it. This book is broken down into three detailed sections. If you are interested in mastering Shodo, this book in combination with study under a Shodo master is a good choice. However, even if you are seeking an great intoductory text on shodo, this is the book for you.

Rating: 5 stars. Joseph J. Truncale (Author: Haiku Moments: How to read, write and enjoy Haiku).