China
Spotlight: Sino-Japanese cultural exchange
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Source: CCTV.com | 04-13-2007 15:26
Special Report: Premier Wen visits Japan |
As Wen Jiabao continues his visit to Japan, friendship between the Asian neighbors has again emerged as a hot topic. The earliest diplomatic contacts between China and Japan can be traced back to the Han Dynasty almost 2000 years ago. Meanwhile, it's in the field of the arts that we find some of their most important bonds.
It is the annual "First Calligraphy" contest of 2007, held on the first day of the year. Thousands of Japanese of all ages brush up both their calligraphy and resolutions at Tokyo's Budokan. The first act of the New Year in any field is considered especially auspicious by the Japanese. Thus the first calligraphy of the year, called Kakizome, is considered the most appropriate for New Year's resolutions.
Calligraphy is a widely practiced and revered as an art in Japan, China and Korea. About 5000 Chinese characters are commonly used in Japanese. An exhibition of calligraphic masterpieces in Shanghai tells the tale of the two countries' shared love of the art. This 62-character work by Eastern Jin Dynasty maestro Wang Xizhi, titled the "Letter of Sorrow" was taken to Japan in the 8th century. The work of the renowned 12th century Japanese monk Ikkyu Sojun is also on display.
