[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxd-4oQAXnQ]

Samurai, monks, rulers, and schoolchildren are taught the way of the brush as a way of understanding the deeper meaning of culture and language.  That being said, this is an amazing way to start learning about the characters central to aikido practice.

It is appropriate to realize that as a beginner I am supposed to be  truly awful at even the most basic task.  Aikido was certainly a similar struggle but has evolved to generally have the potential for a beautiful moment.  Starting to study eastern calligraphy would require whole landfills if not for “Magic Cloth.”  It is as amazing as it appears in the video; the water makes black brushstrokes and then after 15 minutes it completely disappears.   For serious calligraphy the making of the ink, preparation of the paper and the product (on the wall or in the landfill) has a lasting importance.  At the same time calligraphy is supposed to be a meditation on the meaning of a character which requires gaining an understanding of strokes, orders, and many unfamiliar characters so for the beginner this is a great way to achieve the appropriate results for the beginning stage.