Morning Calligraphy as a Way to Prepare the Mind
Every morning, before starting my work,
I spend a short moment practicing calligraphy.
This is not for creating a finished artwork,
nor is it a rehearsal for a specific piece.
It is more like a warm-up — a way to prepare both body and mind.
Just as athletes warm up before performing,
I use this time to quietly align my brush, breath, and senses.
Calligraphy Does Not Begin with Expression
A work of calligraphy does not begin the moment the brush touches the paper.
It begins earlier — with the weight of the brush,
the amount of ink, the texture of the paper,
and, most importantly, the state of one’s breathing and mind.
Only when these elements come together
does writing flow naturally.
For me, this morning practice is a gentle ritual
that prepares the ground for all the work that follows.
Calligraphy Lives in the Process
When we look only at a completed piece,
we often forget the time and sensation that led to it.
Yet every line carries the accumulation of these small moments.
This is what I refer to as Hisseki-jutsu —
not a special technique,
but a way of allowing one’s inner state to appear honestly on the page.
Why I Practice Every Morning
There are busy days.
There are mornings when time is limited.
Even so, holding the brush for just a few minutes allows me to return to my center.
In the past, when I was running an online business creating name calligraphy and personalized naming works, there was a period when I wrote 1,000 to 1,500 pieces every morning from early dawn.
Perhaps my body was shaped through those years of practice.
That is why I continue this morning calligraphy warm-up.
This quiet time forms the foundation for all the work and creations of the day.
