What do you think is most important when creating a piece of calligraphy?
The skill of the artist? Of course, it’s essential.
Expensive brushes and ink? Depending on the piece, special brushes might be necessary, and the variety in ink—its thickness and shades—is crucial as well.
However, what I value the most is the paper—washi. Washi comes in an incredible variety of textures and colors, and selecting the perfect one for each piece is quite challenging. I purchase my washi from a shop called Ozu Washi, which carries a wide array of beautiful papers. I can easily spend one or two hours wandering around, admiring their collection. Washi is delicate and beautiful, often inspiring my work. Sometimes, despite buying the perfect paper, the brush doesn’t glide as expected, leading to a failed piece. It’s a profound world to explore.
Ozu Washi has a gallery that hosts calligraphy and torn paper collage exhibitions. They also offer workshops where you can experience making hand-pulled washi. I’ve never made my own paper, but I want to try it someday. If you ever visit Tokyo, I highly recommend stopping by!
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