This is a series of workshops designed by Azumi Uchitani to explore Japanese culture through the art of calligraphy and language. We will meet bi-weekly, slowly moving from season to season and uncovering new characters, rituals, concepts and beliefs deeply rooted in Japanese lifestyle. Each event we will centre around a new symbol: we will learn its meaning, discuss a poem about it, meditate and experience the power of the concept through calligraphy practice.
Laughter: 笑
The concept of laughter 笑 (warau) in Japanese culture extends beyond the physical laughter or smiling. It embodies a complexities of human emotions, social interactions, cultural norms in Japanese society. Okashii” 可笑しい in Japanese means “funny,” “unusual,” “abnormal,” or “intriguing.” This term is rooted in one of the ancient aesthetic concepts used in literature and poetry. In Japanese culture, “okashii” means more than just humour; it reflects a sense of peculiarity or uniqueness that captivates attention. This aesthetic appreciation of the unconventional is deeply ingrained in Japanese literature and art, where authors and artists often explore themes of eccentricity and curiosity.
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