page_title: Japanese calligraphy
section_title: Tools
hierarchical_section_title: Japanese calligraphy / Tools
caption_attribution_description: English: For grinding inksticks (mixed with water) to make ink.
context_page_description: Japanese calligraphy also called shūji is a form of calligraphy, or artistic writing, of the Japanese language. For a long time, the most esteemed calligrapher in Japan had been Wang Xizhi, a Chinese calligrapher from the 4th century, but after the invention of Hiragana and Katakana, the Japanese unique syllabaries, the distinctive Japanese writing system developed and calligraphers produced styles intrinsic to Japan. The term shodō is of Chinese origin as it is widely used to describe the art of Chinese calligraphy during the medieval Tang dynasty.
context_section_description: A number of tools are used to create a work of modern calligraphy.
  The four most basic tools were collectively called the Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝, bunbō shihō).
  A brush (筆, fude)
  An inkstick (墨, sumi).The hardened mixture of vegetable or pine soot and glue in the shape of a stick.  The best inksticks are between 50 and 100 years old.
  Mulberry paper (和紙, washi)
  An inkstone (硯, suzuri) to grind the inkstick against, mixed with water.
  Other tools include:
  A paper weight (文鎮, bunchin) to hold the paper in place
  A cloth (下敷き, shitajiki) to place under the paper (often newsprint is used as well) to prevent ink from bleeding through.
  A seal (印, in). The art of engraving a seal is called "tenkoku" 篆刻. The student is encouraged to engrave his own seal. The position of the seal or  seals is based on aesthetic preferences. One is not allowed to put a seal on calligraphy of a sutra.
  During preparation, water is poured into the inkstone and the inkstick is ground against it, mixing the water with the dried ink to liquefy it. As this is a time-consuming process, modern-day beginners frequently use bottled liquid ink called Bokuju (墨汁, bokujū) .  More advanced students are encouraged to grind their own ink. Paper is usually placed on a desk, while a large piece of paper may be placed on the floor or even on the ground (for a performance).
  The brushes come in various shapes and sizes, and are usually made using animal hair bristles. Typical animal hair may come from goats, sheep, or horses. The handle may be made from wood, bamboo, plastic or other materials.
caption: A traditional inkstone to grind ink and water against.
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