Learning to read and write Japanese is a far more daunting task than learning to read and write a Western language. For one thing, there are multiple systems of syllables and of characters to be learned, including kanji or the idea based writing system adapted from Chinese characters.
Here, Kyle has rendered “ocean” – a component of the meaning/sound combination he has developed to render an approximation of “Kyle” as a given name in the Japanese environment.
We were invited to join him for his calligraphy lesson, expecting that we would sit in the background as observers. Instead, the couple who are the other students in his class had generously provided us with materials and given us their instruction time to teach us the rudiments of writing kanji with traditional calligraphy tools. They are learning to write the kanji in an older style that is used traditionally for poetry. Their teacher’s granddaughter also joined us.
The evening’s lesson was to work on writing “momo” or “peach” (coincidentally our dog’s name). Comparing notes later, we had both reacted with some unspoken initial consternation because we knew how to write “momo” and this wasn’t it! Naturally, we knew how to write “momo” with hirigana and this was kanji. Oh well.
We got off to a rough start until some of the elements began to come together. The brush must be held perpendicular, not like a pen or pencil, and it must be held somewhat loosely to enable a relaxed and free stroke. And, one must push the brush into the paper, rather than dab at it. In the photos, none of us are really doing it correctly. Despite our reluctance to try it, we had fun and developed a bit of confidence, helped along by a little translation here and a few words in English or French there. It’s surprising how little language is needed, when it comes down to it.
It was also surprising how individualized and expressive each person’s take on momo could be, how each writing of the word captured a slightly different sensibility that all of us could admire.