Japanese art promotes discipline, cultural awareness

Photo By Cpl. Abigail Brown | Michiko Urasaki, a community relations specialist at Camp Foster’s Personal Services Center, in Okinawa, Japan, shows students in her Japanese calligraphy class two of the same shodo, or calligraphy symbols written in different styles. She explained how both symbols mean the same thing even though they were written differently.  

OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.25.2011

Story by Cpl. Abigail Brown 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

OKINAWA, Japan - With only a brush, ink, paper and a little practice, artists can create shodo, an intrinsic traditional style of Japanese calligraphy.

Service members, Department of Defense employees and their families have the opportunity to try their hand at this traditional art in a calligraphy class offered at Camp Foster’s Personal Services Center.

The class is a basic introduction course that allows attendees to experience part of the Japanese cultural arts.

“It can take many years to become proficient in shodo,” said Michiko Urasaki, a community relations specialist at the PSC. “[Japanese] start while we are in middle school and continue learning from there.”

The class begins with an introduction to necessary supplies, posture and direction of writing when practicing shodo.

“Artists will develop their own style, but it’s important to practice the basics and learn the discipline associated with the art,” Urasaki said.

The class is presented with examples of several symbols written in different styles to show students they can develop their own style.

As the class progressed, students learned the meaning of several shodo symbols, including those representing the moon, a flower and a heart. Urasaki also showed the students how to paint their names in katakana, Japanese symbols based on sounds.

“This is a good experience and opportunity since I’m in Okinawa,” said Carly Shumaker, a class attendee. “I keep seeing the house signs in calligraphy out in town and I wanted to make one for my house as well.”

For those interested, Urasaki can introduce students to local calligraphy teachers.

“I may be interested in continuing on with this,” Shumaker said. “This is a great opportunity since I am where the art originated.”

To enroll in the Japanese calligraphy class, contact Michiko Urasaki at the Camp Foster PSC, at 645-3127.

• Date Taken: 02.25.2011
• Date Posted: 02.27.2011 21:31
• Story ID: 66175
• Location: OKINAWA, JP