Sacred Calligraphy of the East


Book Description

A new edition of the divinely designed explication of Eastern calligraphy, invoking the rich tradition of Japan, China, India, and Tibet to illustrate both the technique and significance of the characters. The volume provides historical background, reflects on the art of copying religious texts, provides biographies of Zen calligraphers, and supplies practical instructions on materials and methods for students. Includes tons of photographs. Distributed by Random House. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR




Sacred Kōyasan


Book Description

Takes the reader on a pilgrimage to Mount Kōya, the holy Buddhist mountain in Japan.




Shodo


Book Description

In this beautiful and extraordinary zen calligraphy book, Shozo Sato, an internationally recognized master of traditional Zen arts, teaches the art of Japanese calligraphy through the power and wisdom of Zen poetry. Single-line Zen Buddhist koan aphorisms, or zengo, are one of the most common subjects for the traditional Japanese brush calligraphy known as shodo. Regarded as one of the key disciplines in fostering the focused, meditative state of mind so essential to Zen, shodo calligraphy is practiced regularly by all students of Zen Buddhism in Japan. After providing a brief history of Japanese calligraphy and its close relationship with the teachings of Zen Buddhism, Sato explains the basic supplies and fundamental brushstroke skills that you'll need. He goes on to present thirty zengo, each featuring: An example by a skilled Zen monk or master calligrapher An explanation of the individual characters and the Zen koan as a whole Step-by-step instructions on how to paint the phrase in a number of styles (Kaisho, Gyosho, Sosho) A stunning volume on the intersection of Japanese aesthetics and Zen Buddhist thought, Shodo: The Quiet Art of Japanese Zen Calligraphy guides beginning and advanced students alike to a deeper understanding of the unique brush painting art form of shodo calligraphy. Shodo calligraphy topics include: The Art of Kanji The Four Treasures of Shodo Ideogram Zengo Students of Shodo




Zen and the Art of Calligraphy


Book Description




Sacred Script


Book Description

Arabic calligraphy is at once an expression of piety, aesthetic sensibility and artistic discipline. 'Muhaqqaq' was an early term which captured care, clarity and meticulousness in calligraphy. It was associated with the making of manuscripts of the Qur'an - a sacred task and one which helped to give the new Islamic order both identity and coherence. 'Muhaqqaq' energed in the eleventh century as the name for one of six classical scripts. This is the first book devoted entirely to 'muhaqqaq' tradition. Nassar Mansour, himself a highly respected calligrapher, here traces the development of 'muhaqqaq'. His book also presents examples of his own work in muhaqqaq whish demonstrate the enduring value of this script for today. This is an invaluable and beautifully executed reference work on Islamic calligraphy, which will attract art historians and practitioners alike.




Zen Brushwork


Book Description

With its bold strokes and mystic aura, Zen calligraphy has intrigued many Westerners, but has remained a little-understood art form. Master calligrapher and swordmaster Tanchu Terayama offers detailed lessons in Japanese brush techniques, as well as an appreciation of calligraphy's subtle elements. With its bold strokes and mystic aura, Zen calligraphy has intrigued many Westerners since the 19060s, but has remained a little-understood art form. Here, master calligrapher and swordmaster Tanchu Terayama offers detailed lessons in Japanese




Tibetan Calligraphy


Book Description

In Tibetan Calligraphy, Sanje Elliott shows us how to capture the elegance and grace of Tibetan calligraphy without prior knowledge of either Tibetan language or calligraphy. This beautiful book includes many prayers, mantras, and seed syllables to copy and study. Perfect for practitioners, artists, and anyone interested in the Tibetan language.




Secrets of Aikido


Book Description

Aikido harmonizes the body and spirit with natural forces and universal laws, this work explores the hidden secrets and spiritual aspects of Aikido. It also covers the Tantric dimension of Aikido, the Aikido science of sound, and the six spiritual pillars of Aikido.




Three Zen Masters


Book Description




Foundations of Reiki Ryoho


Book Description

A comprehensive guide to the first and second degrees of Usui Reiki Ryoho as well as Reiki’s history and Western evolution • Details hand positions, self-healing exercises, spiritual development meditations, and the Japanese Reiki techniques introduced in the first degree, shoden, and the second degree, okuden • Provides a thorough introduction to the five levels of byosen, the energetic mechanism used to scan an individual’s energy field and locate areas of disharmony • Examines the core teachings of Reiki founder Usui Mikao and offers a new comprehensive exploration of Reiki’s history and evolution • Explores tools and techniques adapted by Western lineages, such as working with crystals and the chakras Bridging Eastern and Western lineages to reclaim Reiki’s roots as both a healing art and a spiritual practice, Nicholas Pearson offers a new comprehensive exploration of Reiki’s history and evolution, the foundations of Usui Reiki Ryoho theory and practice, and the original techniques and modern tools of both the first degree, shoden, and second degree, okuden. He explores the etymology of key Reiki terminology and presents a complete discussion of the origins of the symbols used in the second degree, providing new historical, cultural, and spiritual context. He examines the core teachings of Reiki founder Usui Mikao, who taught that Reiki Ryoho enacted healing at the soul level, as well as insights from other important Reiki masters such as Hawayo Takata. Explaining what Reiki is and how it heals, the author outlines the six core characteristics that all varieties of Reiki share, including initiations and the Five Precepts. He details effective hand positions, self-healing exercises, spiritual development meditations, and the Japanese Reiki techniques introduced in first degree and second degree practice. He also explores a number of other techniques that have been adapted by Western lineages, such as aura sweeping, chakra tune-ups, and charging and programming crystals with Reiki. He provides a thorough introduction to the five levels of byosen, the energetic mechanism used to scan an individual’s energy field and locate areas of disharmony, allowing you to increase your ability to sense centers of toxic imbalance as well as begin dislodging them, thereby increasing the effectiveness of Reiki treatment. Offering Reiki tools to transform your life from the inside out, Pearson shows how Reiki Ryoho is a healing system that focuses on the inner and spiritual aspects of your being first, allowing you to polish the heart so it reflects the shining light of the soul.