I’ve noticed that on Jisho.org in the stroke order examples for kanji, vertical lines start with a very little downwards angled line and then tha actual vertical straight down line starts (all in the same stroke). I’ve also noticed that horizontal lines sometimes have a bit of a wavy shape or are angled a bit upwards.
I think I get that the upwards angle on horizontal lines is like an ornament just for prettines and isn’t required?
But my main question is, im really not sure if I have to do the angled start on vertical lines and if I have to do wavy horizontal lines, or they are just used to make the kanji look more artistic and isn’t required in average writing.
Sorry if this post is confusing to understand what im asking about but I don’t know in what other way to refeer to these kanji techniques, maybe an example would help understand what im talking about, for example in jisho.org on the 下 kanji the first stroke looks like a very slightly wavy horizontal line and the second stroke has that angled start at the top of the vertical line before actually going straight down.
Thanks to anyone that took the time to even just read this haha
3 comments
I think what you’re referring to is just the flourish that comes with the traditional method of writing with a brush. Personally, to me, it’s kind of just like serif vs sans serif fonts (or Times New Roman is a serif font with the little hanging parts, Calibri is a sans serif).
As far as I’m aware, the extra little bits are necessary when practicing proper calligraphy, but not for your everyday writing habits. Although I could be mistaken.
You don’t have to do the angled bit of the vertical lines. “Wavy” horizontal lines are done so that the kanji doesn’t look square and blocky, so you’ll see this done a lot in regular handwriting too. You don’t have to do it if it’s too much to handle, but I’d recommend transitioning to that at some point. Similarly, at some point start paying attention to varying the lengths of horizontal lines like in 三 or 書.
Technically, both the first and second strokes for 下 are “tome” (留め). All that means is you start at point A, maintain consistent pressure until point B, then lift. Some people do fancy curves or hooks at the beginning of “tome” strokes in order to give it a brushed/calligrapher look, but it’s not necessary to do so.
Watch this hiragana video by Calligrapher Takumi to get a better sense of tome, hane, and harai: [https://youtu.be/ctRXU3w-Exo](https://youtu.be/ctRXU3w-Exo)
Do note that vertical strokes are pretty much totally vertical, but horizontal strokes do creep ever so slightly upwards at maybe 1-2 degrees.