Tibetan calligraphy : origines

Origins of tibetan calligraphy

. calligraphie

trousse pour les plumes en bambous de calligraphie tibétaine
The Tibetan Acarya Thomi Sambotha was the forerunner of Tibetan calligraphy at the end of the 17th century. Since the beginning of the second diffusion of Buddhist doctrine, Kyoungpo Youthri Bar set up calligraphic patterns with a printed letters format as they were established in the tradition of the great translator Kawa Peltseg. Then he separated them depending on their size and established the linage.

plume et encriers thibétains

At the time, these letters went through nearly nine successive modifications. The introduction of linage system by Youthri, as well as xylography, contributed to the progressive dissemination of printed letters, which didn’t went through changes since then.

In 1982, the well-known calligrapher Acarya Meunlam Gyamtso drew these letters for beginners. He also consulted Pang Lotsawa’s original book in Labrang Tashikyil monastery, as well as Jigmé Wangpo’s calligraphic specimens (the second incarnation of Jamyang Shépa), which are styles from the same tradition. vase encre plume tibétains

For his calligraphic work, Meunlam Gyamtso drew his inspiration from this tradition and from Mougué Samten’s teaching, the great master with whom he has studied since he was young. He drew the characters following a [9-square cross-ruling system] and then broke them down into “branches”, with names from “sDom tshig” with annotations.

Since drawing “heads”, “arms” and other “legs” depends on the shape of the nib used, as well as of its point and its bevel, some explanation is provided, thanks to the author’s great experience.