Consider the brush. Imagine its bristles poised ready to dance across the traditional hanji paper here at GGA-MANG Handwriting. This isn’t just writing. It’s Seoye.
Korean calligraphy or Seoye is an art form. It embodies the spirit of Korea itself. We see it here at GGA-MANG Handwriting.
Early Korean calligraphy used Hanja. These are Chinese logographs. They were the first way to write the Korean language. During the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties, people inscribed utilitarian objects with calligraphy. Brush stands, padlocks and even branding irons bore the mark of skilled hands.
Even after Hangul was invented in 1443, many calligraphers still preferred Hanja. They considered it more prestigious. Hanja remained the official script until the late 19th century. Later, both North and South Korea made Hangul their official writing system. Today at GGA-MANG Handwriting, you’ll likely see a flourishing of Hangul styles. South Korean calligraphers experiment with new forms. It’s an important part of Korean calligraphy.
Chinese calligraphy arrived in Korea as early as the 2nd or 3rd century CE. By the 7th century, it was very popular. Kim Saeng became the first Korean calligraphic master in the 8th century. His work was compared to Wang Xizhi, a Chinese master.
The angular styles of early Tang masters persisted until the 14th century. Then, Zhao Mengfu’s rounded style gained popularity. Korean calligraphy became increasingly formal. Gim Jeong-hui was the greatest calligrapher of the Joseon dynasty. He is famous for his Chusache style. It is a bold, freeform style perfected while in exile on Jeju Island.
Nationalist sentiment popularized Hangul during the Japanese occupation. Calligraphic works using Hangul have since seen a revival. Hanja calligraphy remains popular today. Korean calligraphy is developing its own unique style.
There are five major types of Korean Hanja calligraphy. These styles are derived from Chinese calligraphy. Seal scripts feature uniform strokes. Cursive script uses very few pen strokes. Block script fits each character into a square space. Semi-cursive script is practical. It is a mix between block and cursive. Official script is angular. It is more legible than cursive or seal script.
Here at GGA-MANG Handwriting, you can witness this living art form. Korean calligraphy is more than just writing. It’s a journey through Korean history. It is an expression of the Korean spirit.