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Questions about using a Fude Pen... - Printable Version

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Questions about using a Fude Pen... - PotbellyPig - 2012-04-26

I picked up a fude brush pen to mess around with writing some kanji. I see there are some videos available on learning Japanese calligraphy but they use a traditional brush. Are the techniques the same as when using a smaller brush pen? I think the techniques are transferrable(how to manipulate the brush to create the different stroke endings, etc) but I just want to ask someone who has experience in the matter. Thanks.

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - rich_f - 2012-04-26

Fudepens are generally stiffer and harder to use to get good strokes out of than real brushes. You'll probably find that a real brush is a lot easier to use. Get the right tool for the job. In this case a decent $15 brush is better than a $25 fudepen.

If your goal is to learn 書道, then find a good teacher/group (there are some great teachers in NYC! OMG!), get a brush (doesn't have to be a $100 brush), and get cracking.

If you just want to make your RTK reviews more interesting (no crime in that), then a fudepen is fine. Just don't expect miracles, because fudepens have artificial hair, which is much stiffer than the hair in a regular brush.

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - kainzero - 2012-04-26

fudepens are completely different from a brush. controlling the thickness, endings are different techniques altogether. if your technique sucks like mine, you get these ugly thick characters. =)

you can watch this guy write the names of arashi with a fude pen:



compare it to some random 書道:



Questions about using a Fude Pen... - PotbellyPig - 2012-04-26

Actually, the fude pen I picked up is a disposable one I got for $5 at Kinokuniya in NYC. I think that if I got a caligraphy set that I'd just make a mess of things without proper instruction (the ink would be all over the place :>). If I ever get the time, I'll look up a teacher like you suggested. I found some books on using a fude pen on Amazon Japan. Though I haven't seen any tutorial like videos on the net. If anyone knows of any. please let us know. I really like the set of videos by the NHK on regular handwriting.

edit:Thanks kainzero for the video link!

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - Splatted - 2012-04-26

PotbellyPig Wrote:I really like the set of videos by the NHK on regular handwriting.
That sounds interesting. Can you remember what it was called?

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - kainzero - 2012-04-26

Splatted Wrote:
PotbellyPig Wrote:I really like the set of videos by the NHK on regular handwriting.
That sounds interesting. Can you remember what it was called?



Questions about using a Fude Pen... - Splatted - 2012-04-26

kainzero Wrote:
Splatted Wrote:
PotbellyPig Wrote:I really like the set of videos by the NHK on regular handwriting.
That sounds interesting. Can you remember what it was called?

Thanks! I just watched a bit and it looks like just what I'd hoped it would be. Big Grin

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - EratiK - 2012-04-26

kainzero Wrote:I really like the set of videos by the NHK on regular handwriting.
That sounds interesting. Can you remember what it was called?

Neat series, thanks!

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - rich_f - 2012-04-27

TV Japan did a piece about an excellent 書道 teacher in NYC. Totally forgot her name, but I have it on my DVR. I'll dig it up and post the info if you're interested later today. She's an excellent calligrapher, and seems to be a nice person, too.

I've had a lot of fun studying both Chinese and Japanese calligraphy in group settings. Not formal group classes per se, but just groups of people that get together for calligraphy instruction where it's offered. I like the teachers I'm working with now, because they're different, with different approaches, and the people I meet are generally pretty laid-back.

I've been studying for around 6 years now, and I've gotten a lot out of it in the sense of meeting interesting people and having fun trying to get better at something that is at times really freaking hard. But it also improves my appreciation of the language. (Right now, I'm also taking some lessons from a nice person who's teaching me how to write poetry in hiragana, and we're doing the lessons all in Japanese. Two or three birds, one stone. Poetry, calligraphy, and Japanese. Woot.)

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - vileru - 2012-04-27

@OP and fudepen veterans

What books/resources have you found most helpful? Since writing letters is such a big part of the culture here, I'd very much like to learn how to write with a fudepen. Nonetheless, although I admire calligraphy using the traditional tools, I can't be bothered with all the supplies, preparations, and cleanup involved. I suspect there's others like me, so please come forth and share!

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - PotbellyPig - 2012-04-27

I agree wih you. Seems a fudepen is quicker and cleaner, especially if you have not been properly trained. I found this book on amazon.co.jp http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%9B%B8%E3%81%8D%E8%BE%BC%E3%81%BF%E5%BC%8F-%E7%AD%86%E3%83%9A%E3%83%B3%E5%AD%97%E7%B7%B4%E7%BF%92%E5%B8%B3-%E5%92%8C%E7%94%B0-%E5%BA%B7%E5%AD%90/dp/4415031668/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1335538802&sr=8-6 White Rabbit Express also recommends (and sells) this particular book for using a fudepen. There are a few other books related to it on amazon. I haven't seen a good tutorial video that goes through the basic strokes.

rich_f: The calligraphy sessions seem like they would be fun but I would need a lot of free time to devote to it. I'll keep it in the back of my mind for the future.

Questions about using a Fude Pen... - ファブリス - 2012-04-27

I think while some ideas translate between the two, such as the basic thick-thin strokes, the fude pen and the brush are really two different beasts.

That said I had never heard about the fude pen practice books like that @PotbellyPig linked, and never thought asking my calligraphy teacher about it.

So I mean this positively: since I found my skill at calligraphy class did not translate directly with the fude pen, I imagine you could get some serious practice out of the fude pen practice books. Perhaps the only thing missing would be some videos like the one @kainzero linked to.

kainzero Wrote:you can watch this guy write the names of arashi with a fude pen:

That is some insane fude pen skills!