Computer Technology and Application 7 (2016) 103-122 D doi: 10.17265/1934-7332/2016.02.005 DAVID PUBLISHING A Study on Quantitative Evaluation of Calligraphy Characters Zelong Wang1, Mengyuan Liao1 and Zenichiro Maekawa2 1. Department of Advanced Fibro-Science, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan 2. Future-Applied Conventional Technology Center, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan Abstract: In this study, a numerical method was proposed to evaluate the calligraphy work called calligraphy evaluation system. Four classical chirographies of “Kaisho”, “Gyosho”, “Sousho” and “Hiragana”, and 47 characters for each chirography, were selected and analyzed by this system. The “Sumi” distribution of character was clarified from 12 directions and summarized into four parts of horizontal part, diagonal left part, vertical part and diagonal right part. The character‟s contour line was converted to a signal data in order to calculate roundness index. The degree of character‟s radian was presented by roundness index. The smooth index was calculated at the same time. Additionally, width index, “Sumi” ratio, stability index also were calculated to contrast the features of each style. The main character points of four styles of “Kaisho”, “Gyosho”, “Sousho”, “Hiragana” were extracted to compare each other, and provide a reference for learners. The learners could obtain the quantitative data to understand their work‟s characteristics. It can also be compared with other person‟s work by this system in order to improve learners‟ writing skill. Key words: Calligraphy, chirography, quantization, evaluation, regular script, running script, cursive script, hiragana. Nomenclature are divided into two big flows of the phonogram and the ideograph at present. “Kanji”: Chinese character. Regular script, a kind of chirography of The history of Chinese writing extends back more “Kaisho”: Chinese character. than 6,000 years, and “Kanji” is the root of China and Running script, a kind of chirography of “Gyosho”: Chinese character. has the history of 4,000 years [1]. The “Kanji” is one Cursive script, a kind of chirography of “Sousho”: of most important representatives of the ideographs, Chinese character. “Hiragana”: Japanese character. which are the oldest written words of any language in Xuan paper is a kind of paper originating in the world. It is well known that “Kanji” is a ancient China used for writing and painting, “Xuan” paper: which is used for conveying the artistic representative of the ideographs and the alphabet is a expression of both Chinese calligraphy and representative of the phonograms, which is the main painting. “Sumi”: The ink of calligraphy. carrier of calligraphic art. The calligraphy, a visual art related to writing, is a splendid star and an exquisite 1. Introduction work in Chinese traditional culture, which was also a The purpose for the creation and development of kind of traditional art popular in Asia, including China, character writing was to preserve human Japan, Korea and Vietnam [2]. Put simply, calligraphy communication and create a way to characterize the is a kind of creation using brush dips in ink to write racial culture, which was the result of the joint efforts characters on “Xuan” paper [3]. Using calligraphy of all mankind through ages of social practice. There method written beautiful poems on the paper with red are a variety of characters exist in the world, which seal is a most important and art elegant in Asia. The Japanese character was originated from China, Corresponding author: Zenichiro Maekawa, Dr. Eng., adopted and used Chinese characters. The calligraphy senior fellow of Kyoto Institute of Technology, Applied traditional engineering. is also a widely practiced and revered art in Japan, 104 A Study on Quantitative Evaluation of Calligraphy Characters which is believed to cultivate the heart and improve influence the Japanese calligraphy for a long period of spirit [4]. time. Since the invention of “Oracle”, a writing is Japan is one of nations using the ideograph of incisions on bones and tortoise shell, Chinese “Kanji” and the phonogram of “Hiragana” at the same calligraphy font experienced five main stages of time. Japanese improved and simplified the “Kanji” development by the seal character, official script, and then formed the “Hiragana” character, whose “Sousho”, “Kaisho”, “Gyosho”. The mention of the forms had changed drastically and made impact on the styles of calligraphy had brought the “Wang Xizhi” “Kanji” radicals. Japanese “Hiragana”, which [5]. “Wang Xizhi” was the most famous calligrapher originated from China, has evolved to be Japanese traditionally referred to as the Sage of Calligraphy in unique character over a long time development, which China, who lived during the Jin Dynasty. He has has thin, long and smooth form. There was a long arguably been one of the most esteemed Chinese history of using calligraphy to express “Kanji” and calligrapher until, and a master of all forms of Chinese “Hiragana” character with the writing brush. calligraphy, especially the “Gyosho”. The one of the There was a widely accepted calligraphy practice most influential “Gyosho” works of “Wang Xizhi” is process during the calligraphy training in China the “Preface to the Poems Composed at the Orchid according to the writing speed and the coherent Pavilion” (兰亭集序), the preface of a collection of between each component of “Kanji”: “Kaisho”, poems by a number of poets when gathering at “Gyosho” and “Sousho”. There was also a similar “Lanting” (兰亭). Wang Xizhi was also reached the calligraphy practice process in Japan from “Kanji” to peak of perfection for “Kaisho”, which brushwork is “Hiragana”. Therefore, “Kaisho” is the foundation of particularly fine with elegant and unconstrained style calligraphy, beginner uses “Kaisho” to practice while making you feel natural and free. His “Sousho” calligraphy. Skilled “Kaisho” was basic condition for looks like the wind had blown over the grass in a written practice Gyosho and Sousho. “Gyosho” is a manner with disorderly and orderly. He not only is cross style between “Kaisho” and “Sousho”, coherent appreciated in China, but also has been remained than “Kaisho”, not beyond recognition like “Sousho”. influential in Japanese calligraphy. Beginners try to raise the writing speed to practice Date back to C.E. 804, Japan sent the seventeenth “Gyosho” when they think they can grasp skilled Tang Dynasty missions, whose embassador was “Kaisho”. The “Sousho” and “Hiragana” are the most “Kadonomaro Fujiwara”, assisted embassador was radical forms of simplifying characters. Learners “Ishikawa Michi-eki”, accompanied with members practice “Sousho” and “Hiragana” after mastering the including “Kukai”, “Saicho” and writing skills of “Kaisho” and “Gyosho”. “Sousho” “TachibananoHayanari”, who established the and “Hiragana” were considered as the inspiration for development of Japanese calligraphy immortal feats. the best carrier, which were often used to be as a Additionally, “Kukai”, “Emperor Saga”, platform of playing a creative inspiration by “TachibananoHayanari” were the famous “three pens” grandmaster. of Japanese calligraphy during the early Heian period However, it is very difficult for a learner to see the [6]. “Kukai” came to “Tang” dynasty and studied as relationship between the different steps in the the “Tang” Monks, his calligraphy not only has progression from basic to advanced during calligraphy “Wang Xizhi” style, but also incorporated with “Yan learning process. Because the diversity of forms and Zhenqing” style, who is a leading Chinese calligrapher structures, combined with the complexity of the and a loyal governor of the “Tang” Dynasty, which personal style and involved evaluator‟s feeling, makes A Study on Quantitative Evaluation of Calligraphy Characters 105 the learners very difficult to identify and imitate was to establish a quantitative analysis system to between different chirography styles, even if copying evaluate calligraphy work and provided an appreciate others work. The evaluation of calligraphy art is a software to learner as a reference. quite subjective work, anyone who wishes to develop Previous research, we did some preliminary writing skill needs to study the technique of writing research about the digital evaluation of calligraphy skill and learn to appreciate chirography art styles. In works [14, 15]. And the characteristics of calligraphy other words, the creation and evaluation of calligraphy, characters between expert and beginner were not only should master of writing knowledge, get rich compared by numerical method [16]. In this study, a practical experience, but also need to artistic calligraphy evaluation system was proposed, which appreciation ability, such as a good eye, intelligence was consisted of the “Direction section analysis and intuition, combined with long experience. system” and “Font shape recognition system” based The problem of overemphasis of blind training was on the traditional calligraphy evaluation method. Four also existing in calligraphy training, teacher trying to classical chirographies were paid attention, “Kaisho”, let student improve writing skill by increasing the “Gyosho”, “Sousho” and “Hiragana”. In order to intensity of training. Usually, learners were taught provide a valuable reference for the learners, 47 from teacher by coping practice and oral explanation characters related from each chirography were to study calligraphy skill. However, it is very difficult