Mio’s Day of Calligraphy
Mio decided to attend a traditional calligraphy class in Kyoto to deepen her understanding of the culture. She walked through a street lined with quiet townhouses and entered an old building. Inside, the space was calm and filled with the scent of ink.
The teacher, a gentle woman named Teruko, began to talk about the history and spirituality of calligraphy. “Calligraphy is not just about writing characters. It’s an art of expressing your heart,” Teruko explained.
Mio started by learning how to use the brush and ink. She practiced holding the brush, grinding the ink stick, and the angle of the brush on the paper. She realized all these elements helped calm the mind and enhance focus.
For her first attempt, Mio chose to write the character for “quiet” (静). Under Teruko’s guidance, she carefully drew each stroke with emotion. As she wrote, Mio felt released from the stress of daily life, spending valuable time reflecting on herself.
Looking at her finished piece, Mio deeply felt the quiet beauty of calligraphy and the inner peace it brought. This experience deepened her understanding of art and inspired her for future creative activities.