Customer Reviews

Shodo: The Art of Coordinating Mind, Body and Brush

5 star:		(3)
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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.

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.

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).