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Heart of the Brush

Kazuaki Tanahashi

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Heart of the Brush

by Kazuaki Tanahashi
Heart of the Brush
Heart of the Brush

Brush 150 Characters Through Centuries of Art

Explore Chinese and Japanese calligraphy through history, aesthetics, and philosophy. Study 150 classic characters in multiple styles with meanings, pronunciations, and etymologies. Clear stroke-order diagrams and practical guidance invite beginners to start brushing. Full-page interpretations by Kazuaki Tanahashi enrich each character study.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

Heart of the Brush

by Kazuaki Tanahashi
Condition guide

Book Condition Guide

Books in Like New Condition

This book may contain very minor cosmetic defects, but it is in pristine condition. There should be no yellowing, no foxing, no water damage, and no annotations of any kind on the cover and the pages. For paperbacks, there should not be any crease marks on the spine. This book is good as new — lucky you!

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Very Good Condition

This book has been used, but it is still in a clean condition. There should be no foxing or annotations of any kind on the inner pages, but a sparse amount may be present on the cover, title pages, or outside edges of the book. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be light crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Good Condition

We do our best to ensure the quality of our books, but there is no escaping the wear and tear that comes with time. Slight foxing and some annotations may be present on the pages and the cover. There should be no water damage of any kind. For paperbacks, there may be several crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

Books in Well Read Condition

This is a well-read book, which means that the previous owner probably really enjoyed it! The cover and pages may include moderate foxing and annotations, but the text is not obscured and still readable. Moderate cosmetic defects and minor water damage may be present on the edges of the book. For paperbacks, there may be multiple crease marks on the spine.

*Books may be missing bundle media (e.g. CD, e-book code), if included.

 

Find out more about our process here.

ISBN: 9781611801347
Author: Kazuaki Tanahashi
Publisher: Shambhala Publications Inc
Format: Paperback
Related Collections: Art, History, Philosophy
Related Topics: Drawing, Design, History, Crafts, Art and Photography, Asia, Art History

Description

Its history, techniques, aesthetics, and philosophy, with an in-depth practical guide to understanding and drawing 150 characters. A guide to the history and enjoyment of Chinese and Japanese calligraphy, offering the possibility of appreciating it in a hands-on way, with step-by-step instructions for brushing 150 classic characters. 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 aficionado 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. The 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 the 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.
 

Brush 150 Characters Through Centuries of Art

Explore Chinese and Japanese calligraphy through history, aesthetics, and philosophy. Study 150 classic characters in multiple styles with meanings, pronunciations, and etymologies. Clear stroke-order diagrams and practical guidance invite beginners to start brushing. Full-page interpretations by Kazuaki Tanahashi enrich each character study.

Note: While we do our best to ensure the accuracy of cover images, ISBNs may at times be reused for different editions of the same title which may hence appear as a different cover.

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