Introduction to Japanese calligraphy

In ancient Japan, calligraphy was called "Tathagata" or "calligraphy". It was not until the Edo period (17th century) that the word "calligraphy" appeared. In Japan, the popularity of writing Chinese characters with a brush should be after the introduction of Buddhism. Monks and Buddhists imitated China and copied scriptures with a brush. China's calligraphy began in Japan. The Book of Crane Jingyi copied by Shoto Kutaishi is a masterpiece influenced by the calligraphy style of China in the Six Dynasties. On his return from China, Japanese Tiantai Zongzuyi brought back the calligraphy works of Wang Xizhi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and promoted them.