Shodo

Just wanted to post this picture (thanks Ellen!), to show you folks at home my Japanese hobby. Every thursday night, I (along with Kat and Ellen) go to a Shodo class in my town. Shodo is the practice of Japanese calligraphy, using different brushes (we use a fat beginners one at the moment though!), black ink, and a type of thin paper. At the class we all sit on the floor, at low tables, and spend between an hour and 90 minutes, learning the correct way to draw the Japanese characters (kanji in our class). We have been going for a couple of months now, and are gradually getting used to holding the brush correctly, taking our time on each stroke, and coping with sitting cross-legged for such a long time. I am definitely not 'good', as it takes many many many years to even be considered anywhere near 'good', but I enjoy it, and I love to see my collection of kanji characters develop, as my folder fills up with more of my work each week. Last night, we practised the kanjis for 'directions'. On this photo I am attempting to follow my teacher's example of 'higashi' and 'nishi' (east and west). It's a nice hobby, as it helps my Japanese learning, it's actually quite relaxing, and the teachers and other ladies who sometimes come to class, are all so lovely (last night they gave us cucumbers!...random gift, but generous and sweet nonetheless). Maybe when I get 'better' I will put more pictures here of my work...we'll see!