Texts for the year of the Monkey
Konnnichiwa dear lovely SHODO learners!
As you may have noticed…
2016 is the year of the Monkey in zodiac calendar.
The kanji 猿 is commonly used for the animal “MONKEY”.
But when it comes to the zodiac calendar, you see the other one 申.
Monkey is called “SARU” in Japanese.
In Hiragana : さる and in Katakana : サル
In the children’s class, we practised both Hiragana and Kanji texts after our usual warming-ups. Every kid thought Hiragana was much easier to do, but in fact the Kanji can be less complicated to balance the middle line.
In the adult session, we first did the Hiragana text a few times as an extended warming up and then went with the Kanji text and so on.
The Kanji text has a major technique called KENSHIN /Needle -Technique. And the Kado/Corner Technique should be very thick and dynamic.
Hiragana text has quite a few points to remember:
-The whole balance line
-Hane/Jumping technique
-Kado/Corner technique
-Round & Folding technique
For the kid’s class and the Sumie class, I prepared this jumping monkey.
It is done mainly with many line-combinations.
The simple base is the layer of the “S” movement technique.
I would recommend for the zodiac calligraphy text like this in January/ February that you “calligraphy” the year and the date and your name ( or your calligraphy name). Finally you can finish off with your name.stamp if you’ve got one!! A bit of red colour from the stamp can round up the whole composition.
Have fun with Shodo and a good healthy year of the Monkey!!
ARIGATO*
HERE IS SOME MORE INFO ABOUT……….
The personality of the Monkey
People born in the Year of the Monkey are characterised as lively, quick-witted, curious, innovative and mischievous, but it is also believed to be one of the most unlucky years in the Chinese calendar.
The general image of people in this zodiac sign is of always being smart, clever and intelligent, especially in their career and wealth.
In addition, their gentleness and honesty bring them an everlasting love life. Although they were born with enviable skills, they still have several shortcomings, such as an impetuous temper and a tendency to look down upon others.
- Strengths: sociable, innovative, enthusiastic, self-assured
- Weaknesses: suspicious, cunning, selfish, arrogant, jealous
Lucky Signs for the Monkey
- Lucky numbers: 1, 7, 8
- Lucky colours: white, gold, blue
- Lucky flowers: chrysanthemum, alliums
- Lucky directions: north, northwest, west
Famous people born under the monkey sign
Julius Caesar, Leonardo da Vinci, Charles Dickens, Lord Byron, Elizabeth Taylor, Diana Ross, Michael Douglas, Alice Walker, Celine Dion, Tom Hanks, Will Smith, Halle Berry, Christina Aguilera, Owen Wilson, Daniel Craig, Mick Jagger, Bette Davis, Annie Oakley, Eleanor Roosevelt, Cuba Gooding Jr., Gisele Bundchen, Kim Cattrall, Nick Carter, Patricia Arquette, Alyson Stoner, Christina Ricci, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Nick Jonas, Selena Gomez.
Birth year of Monkey: 2016, 2004, 1992, 1980, 1968
(selected section from the telegraph,UK)
School of SHODO 