FIVE QUESTIONS TO MASTER NAGAYAMA

How would you explain to a layman what is shodô?

Shodô is an artistic discipline through which one cultivates oneself. It creates a framework using an object such as writing. It is the abstraction of this object that makes it possible to express, almost unconsciously, one’s own thought, one’s own emotions, one’s own spirit and, in short, oneself. Shodô is a picture of ourselves. The more we enrich our inner selves, the more the picture is enriched by subtle shades. Therefore, to make a beautiful shodô picture, one must cultivate oneself.

What is the relationship between technique and free expression in shodô?

Without mastery of the brush, of the paper, of the ink, of the space and of the rhythm, one is never free. Without this mastery there can never be freedom of expression in shodô.

Imitation of the works of Sensei is an important step in shodô. How does one proceed from this imitation to a personal style of one's own?

In imitation, you learn the spirit and rhythm of calligraphy, but above all you learn the spirit and the rhythm of Sensei. To be able to express one’s own spirit and one’s own rhythm, which is then one’s personal style, one must pass through faithful imitation of his works.

How is the energy "ki" manifested in shodô?

The ki is manifested in empty space, that is, the white part of the paper. The vigour and vitality of the lines creates a resonance in the white space on the paper. This resonance is the ki.

In what relationship are the martial arts and shodô?

All the arts that use the ideogram dô share the same rhythm and spirit. As long as the writing is small, one does not easily recognise that, but when one writes on paper with a big brush, one realises that it is like using a sword. However, if it is to be refined, even large calligraphy must give great importance to understanding of the smallest and minuscule movement.
Shodô serves to cultivate understanding of the small and minuscule movement and it is for this reason that the great masters of the martial arts practised this discipline constantly. Even if, in ancient times, being a good calligrapher was indispensable for all those in the noble and warrior classes.

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