Shodo 書道 literally translates as «way of writing».道 “way” also has the meanings of “art” and “method”. Accordingly, the meaning of shodo 書道 could be described as «the art of writing methodically practiced as a way of life».
Even before Chinese writing came to Japan around the 5th century, Chinese calligraphy, shufa (书法) was much more than a means of communication. In ancient China, the art of writing was considered the most important art along with poetry and painting.. More
