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Entity explores the history of calligraphy.

With its bamboo brushes, dark ink and papyrus paper, China is usually the first country that comes to mind when discussing calligraphy. Though this country has practiced the art of calligraphy for over 3,000 years, the arm form is not confined to China.

Calligraphy has its roots in many different regions around the world – such as Japan, India, Tibet and Europe – and has been used not only as a form of writing but as a craft that requires precise technique, aim and form, according to the MET

The New World Encyclopedia reports that the word “calligraphy” comes from from the Greek words κάλλος (beauty) and γραφή (writing). This definition is fitting, as calligraphy is regarded in every culture as the most beautiful way to convey a message. It is not just a way of writing; calligraphy is art.

In East Asian countries such as China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam, calligraphy has deep historical roots. According to the MET, “The earliest writing took the form of pictograms and ideographs that were incised onto the surfaces of jades and oracle bones, or cast into the surface of ritual bronze vessels.”

Eventually, the art evolved into using brushes, paper and ink. The clarity of the ink, the absorption of the parchment and the hairs on the brush affect the technique and style used by these artists. 

Indian calligraphy was greatly influenced by Persian and Arabic scripts. The style in South Asia is thinner than the East Asian style, featuring a looping and fluid style. Calligraphy appeared in India as a way to “print” holy texts, similar to calligraphy in Europe. The main purpose of calligraphy in Nepal was to write various mantras. 

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Tibetan calligraphy is the center of its culture. The nobles of Tibet were skilled calligraphers. For many centuries, calligraphy was the center of Buddhism because of the significance of the written word within the religion. For Tibetan scribes, calligraphy was used to write sacred texts and letters to religious authorities.

European calligraphy is the one most Americans are familiar with. It is the style of writing found in King James Version Bibles. The script was saved for religious texts and expressing art. 

Calligraphy today is still in use thanks to Edward Johnston. When he studied British Museum manuscripts in 1898, it sparked his interest in calligraphy. His love then sparked the interest of one of his students, Anna Simons. She translated his book “Writing and Illuminating, and Lettering” and brought it to Germany, where “a tremendous interest was sparked” in calligraphy as a result.

Now calligraphy can be enjoyed by anyone, as home calligraphy sets are available in many craft stores worldwide. Thousands of years after the birth of calligraphic art, everyday men and women can create their own masterpieces at home, ensuring that the tradition won’t die anytime soon.

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