{"product_id":"heart-of-the-brush-isbn-9781611801347","title":"Heart of the Brush","description":"\u003cb\u003eIts history, techniques, aesthetics, and philosophy—with an  in-depth  practical guide to understanding and drawing 150 characters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA   guide to the history and enjoyment of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy   that offers the possibility of appreciating it in a hands-on way—with   step-by-step instructions for brushing 150 classic characters.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This book  is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the history  and art  of calligraphy as it's been practiced for centuries in China,  Japan, and  elsewhere in Asia. It works as a guide for the beginner  hoping to  develop an appreciation for Asian calligraphy, for the person  who wants  to give calligraphy-creation a try, as well as for the  expert or  afficionado who just wants to browse through and exult in  lovely  examples. It covers the history and development of the art, then  the  author invites the reader to give it a try. \u003cbr\u003e     \u003cbr\u003eThe heart  of the  book, called \"Master Samples and Study,\" presents 150  characters--from  \"action\" to \"zen\"--each in a two-page spread. On each  verso page the  character is presented in three different styles, each  one chosen for  its beauty and identified by artist when possible. The  character's  meaning, pronunciation (in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and  Vietnamese),  etymology, the pictograph from which it evolved, and other  notes of  interest are included. At the bottom of the page the stroke  order is  shown: the sequence of brush movements, numbered in their  traditional  order. On each facing recto page is Kaz's own  interpretation of the  character, full page.Contents:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePreface\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction to East Asian Calligraphy \u003cbr\u003eWhat Is Ideography?\u003cbr\u003eEvolution of Styles\u003cbr\u003eShall We Begin?\u003cbr\u003eBrush Movement\u003cbr\u003eBasic Strokes\u003cbr\u003eApplied Strokes\u003cbr\u003eAspects of Ideography\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMaster Samples and Study\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInside Calligraphy\u003cbr\u003eAesthetics in Formal Script\u003cbr\u003eAesthetics in Cursive Scripts\u003cbr\u003eHeart of Creativity\u003cbr\u003eContemporary Art \/ International Art\u003cbr\u003eContinuous Practice\u003cbr\u003eMounting Artwork\u003cbr\u003eOnline Studies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAppendix\u003cbr\u003eList of Radicals \u003cbr\u003eList of Compounds\u003cbr\u003eList of Technical Terms\u003cbr\u003eList of Ancient Artists \u003cbr\u003eRecommended Supplies \u003cbr\u003eSelected Bibliography\"\u003ci\u003eHeart of the Brush\u003c\/i\u003e is many things, and all of them astonishing: a rich historical compendium; a subtle object of contemplation; an inspiring instructional manual; a profound spiritual practice; a true artist’s testament; a stunning work of art. And it's become a companion, as well. The book now lives on my work table, and every morning I turn at random to a different character, taking a moment to study the form and meaning, and then letting it inspire me throughout the day.\"—Ruth Ozeki, author of \u003ci\u003eTale for the Time Being\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e“I have always felt the power of a single ideograph by a master hanging in a zendo, but I understood little else.  This book is a gift, illuminating the approach, the meaning, the possibility, the actor and the action; the stroke, the mark, the dancer and the dance.  We become rooted in calligraphy's history and then carried beyond that--smack into the present moment. Kaz Tanahashi and his work are a transcultural treasure.”—Natalie Goldberg, author of \u003ci\u003eWriting Down the Bones\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Great Spring\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"There are several books on how to do East Asian calligraphy, but \u003ci\u003eHeart of the Brush\u003c\/i\u003e by Kazuaki Tanahashi is clearly the best. His explanations are clear and lively, his multitude of brushwork examples are thorough and generous, and he demonstrates how to do each character stroke by stroke. In addition, he makes the availability of different scripts an exciting opportunity rather than an overwhelming burden. In effect, Tanahashi invites us into many aspects of the dynamic and wide-ranging world of calligraphy, and we can understand why it has been considered the highest of all art forms.\"—Stephen AddissKAZUAKI TANAHASHI is an accomplished Japanese calligrapher, Zen teacher,  author, and translator of Buddhist texts from Japanese and Chinese to  English, most notably works by Dogen. He first met Shunryu Suzuki in  1964, and upon reading Suzuki's book \u003ci\u003eZen Mind, Beginner's Mind\u003c\/i\u003e he stated, \"I could see it's \u003ci\u003eShobogenzo\u003c\/i\u003e in a very plain, simple language.\" He has helped notable Zen teachers  author books on Zen Buddhism, such as John Daido Loori. A fellow of the  World Academy of Art and Science, Tanahashi is also an environmentalist  and a peace worker.Its history, techniques, aesthetics, and philosophy--with an in-depth practical guide to understanding and drawing 150 characters","brand":"Shambhala","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46304355877093,"sku":"NP9781611801347","price":39.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781611801347.jpg?v=1767728839","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/heart-of-the-brush-isbn-9781611801347","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}