TRACES OF ZEN BUDDHISM WITHIN JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY – A CULTURAL SEMIOTIC PERSPECTIVE
TRACES OF ZEN BUDDHISM WITHIN JAPANESE CALLIGRAPHY – A CULTURAL SEMIOTIC PERSPECTIVE

Summary/Abstract: Traces of Zen Buddhism Within Japanese Calligraphy – a Cultural Semiotic Perspective. This article showcases the Japanese art of calligraphy –shodō– through its close link to Zen Buddhism. The comparison between shodō and Zen spirituality and philosophy is done within the cultural semiotics framework, showcasing the common ground between the two, rather than the differences, thus revealing the meaning of shodō within the Japanese cultural context. In order to reflect this relationship, the article presents the fundamentals of shodō, its influence and role within the Japanese society, carefully building into the connection between Zen philosophy and the practices of shodō. Ultimately, the theoretical constructs are demonstrated by analyzing 3 calligraphic works created by Rodica Frențiu, pinpointing the similarities between Japanese calligraphy and Zen Buddhism.

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