Calligraphy paper from China through Taobao

Calligraphy paper is not cheap. When I mentioned this to a friend, I was told that I could try buying from Taobao.

Several years ago, I had bought some stuff from Taobao. Compared to Aliexpress, I really didn't like the experience. It was difficult to find the things that you want, and the payment methods weren't very friendly for someone living outside China.

Still, I decided to give it a try, and order some calligraphy paper on 20 November. The products arrived at the consolidation centre in China on 23 November, was shipped out of China on 24 November, and delivered to me on 26 November.

Wow! I was really surprised at the speed of delivery. Yes, shipping wasn't exactly cheap, but it wasn't that expensive too, considering that paper isn't exactly light when you are buying reams of 100 sheets. Still, delivering in a week wasn't what I expected. It was a pleasant surprise. I even got two free calligraphy brushes, but they are a bit small and I am unlikely to be using them.

That was also when I realised that I should have spent more time searching on Taobao. The problem with Taobao, as mentioned, is that it is hard to find stuff that you want. In this case, the product pages made it look like the paper I ordered were made by hand, with "Class A" in the name, but when I checked the paper, I did not see any brush marks on the paper, which meant they were probably machine made. Sigh. After checking Taobao again, it seems that I should have looked for the keyword "手工" (made by hand) in the LONG product names; anything without this keyword meant it is probably machine made, even though it is made in Jingzhou, Anhui (the home of handmade Xuan calligraphy paper).

Anyway, the three types of paper I bought were from a brand called 檀溪:

特净 (extra high sandalwood content)

A级特净 (Class A extra high sandalwood content)

加厚A级特净 (extra thick Class A extra high sandalwood content)

I also did my usual work of adding their samples to my paper catalogue. Below are the samples written using a bear hair calligraphy brush. From left to right, 特净, A级特净, 加厚A级特净.

While they are likely machine made, they still write quite well and are more than enough for practice paper. I mean, they are priced like practice paper (even with shipping costs included) so I guess it was worth it.

Next would be to actually get actual calligraphy paper made by hand through Taobao... (will update here)

 

Update 4 December 2023: I placed a second order of paper from Taobao, this time from the brand known as 汪同和, paying attention to look for the keyword "手工" (made by hand) in the LONG product names.

- Ordered on night of 27 November.

- Package reached consolidation centre in Shanghai on 29 November.

- Package dispatched to airport on 30 November.

- Package left China in the morning of 1 December and reached Japan on 1 December in the afternoon.

- Cleared customs on 3 December night.

- Delivered on 4 December.

汪同和 seems to be an established brand in China. Even the packaging looks nice. Each ream of paper came with its own carrying bag too. I actually don't know what to do with these bags, since I don't think people actually go around walking with 3kg of paper...

 

The blue package is 净皮 paper under its entry 精品书画 line. It weighs 3.16kg for 100 sheets of 四尺 size 单宣 paper.

The orange package is 净皮 paper under its 御用贡品 line, one grade above the entry level. It weighs 3.3kg for 100 sheets of 四尺 size 单宣 paper.

As for how it writes, here samples written using a bear hair calligraphy brush. Left is 净皮 paper from the entry 精品书画 line, and right is 净皮 paper from the 御用贡品 line.

 

Anyway, based on this second experience, I guess it takes around a week to maybe 10 days to get here, from the time of placing an order to the time it is delivered to me. Checking the logistics log, it seems that it takes quite a short time for delivery within China to the logistics consolidation centre in Shanghai and then out of China from there. It did take a while for processing at the airport, so that could well be the bottleneck. If this brand turns out well, I may even stick with it.

Calligraphy piece 其疾如风，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山

In Sunzi's Art of War, there is a phrase "故其疾如风，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山，难知如阴，动如雷震。" (from 孙子·军争).  Takeda Shingen is said to have taken this phrase and used the characters "风林火山" for his war banners, making the phrase "其疾如风，其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山" famous in Japan.

 

I really like this phrase and decided to use it for calligraphy practice, eventually writing this piece.

 

Kind of like it. 😊 

Xiaoxue 小雪

After Lidong, or 立冬, comes Xiaoxue, or 小雪, another of the 二十四節気 24 solar terms. It literally means small snow, signifying that it is starting to snow (in northern China where this system was developed).

 

 

Goat hair calligraphy brush 精品青鋒 二号 from 洪塘湖筆

The other day, I saw this long goat hair calligraphy brush being sold on an auction site. The handle states that it is 精品青鋒 二号 from 洪塘湖筆. Such brushes actually get better with age, if maintained properly, so I took the chance and bought it.

The length of the hair is 99mm with a diameter of 15mm. This makes it more than suitable for writing several large characters on a single sheet of 半切 paper (34.5cm by 135cm). In fact, this was the brush I used to write these two pieces.

It actually writes very well, and I will likely be using this brush for an upcoming exhibition since it requires me to write big characters on a big sheet of paper.

Calligraphy piece 士為知己者死 女為悦己者容

A phrase which I like.

士為知己者死
女為悦己者容

And so, I used it for practice today.

Not bad for a quick practice, if I say so myself. Plus presentation helps to make it look better too. 😅

Note: This brush was used to write these two pieces.

KyoAni Music Festival 2023

KyoAni Music Festival, the 6th Kyoto Animation Thanks Event, took place on 11 and 12 November 2023 at ROHM Theatre Kyoto Main Hall. This was the same place where the 5th event was held in 2021. When they first announced the event with no options other than going to Kyoto, I was quite disappointed because it would be too costly for me to travel to Kyoto for this event. However, they subsequently announced that the event will be broadcast live at many (79, if I recall) cinemas nationwide in Japan. Then, finally, closer to the event's dates, they announced that the event will also be available for streaming online, with this option also available to people living outside Japan.

So I proceeded to book my online streaming ticket for Day 2 (which featured Violet Evergarden series) but eventually also booked a ticket for Day 1. This allowed me to enjoy the event without having to travel, which turned out to really help since I needed to work on the weekend in which the event was held.

Day 1 featured the following series: AIR, Kanon, CLANNAD, Miss Kobayashi's Maid Dragon, Suzumiya Haruhi, Tsurune, Nichijou, Full Metal Panic, and Munto.

This was the program for Day 1.

Day 2 featured the following series: Violet Evergarden, AIR, Kanon, Kyoukai no Kanata, CLANNAD, Suzumiya Haruhi, Sound! Euphonium, Free!, and Munto.

 

This was the program for Day 2.

Both days started with Munto, which can be said to be the start of Kyoani's anime production history. Before that, Kyoani did work on other works but not as the lead studio. So starting with Munto seems a fitting start. This year's event also brought back the older series like AIR, Kanon, Full Metal Panic, and CLANNAD, with a lot more overlap too. For example, Munto was the only overlap at last year's event, but this year, Munto, AIR, Kanon, CLANNAD, and Haruhi were featured on both days. So if you are a fan of Miss Kobayashi's Maid Dragon, Tsurune, Nichijou, or Full Metal Panic, go on Day 1; a fan of Violet Evergarden, Kyoukai no Kanata, Sound! Euphonium, or Free! would go on Day 2. All other Kyoani fans can just go on either day. Anyway, both Day 1 and 2 ended with all performers singing "Te to te to te".

 

There is no MC for this event (like last year) so it really depended on the artists to try to fill the gap when they were setting up the stage for the next artist. Some, like TRUE, are very good at this; others are more "green" in this area. Composer Yokoyama Masaru had it worst because he was the first one who had to do this, and he is a composer who usually works behind the scenes.

Also, I am quite amazed that Kyoani decided to focus on the older series for this event. And how they probably dragged some of the artists out of semi-retirement (I don't think any of them is actually above 65 years old, but some look well on their way there). Some of them probably hadn't performed on stage for years, if not a whole decade or more. Younger Kyoani fans may not even know who these artists are, except through hearing their voices when they watch Kyoani's older series on streaming platforms. 

 

Meanwhile, K-On!, Phantom World, Chuunibyou, and Tamako Market series (which were featured in 2021's event) were not in the program this year. It would have been nice to have Tamako Market series at least, since 2023 is the 10th anniversary of the series.

 

Still, Kyoani had decided that this lineup would help them fill the ROHM Theatre on both day, draw crowds to 79 cinemas nationwide, and still have enough people wanting to watch online that online streaming would be profitable. It shows the confidence that Kyoani has in its brand and the loyalty of its fans.

In the end, I am glad I did not travel to Kyoto, or even the local cinema, for this event. Violet Evergarden did not get as much time this year compared to the 2021 event, although Tsurune had quite a long time slot. It was enjoyable enough for me watching it from home on a computer screen while wearing headphones.

Note: The illustrations in this post were taken from KyoAni Music Festival's official Twitter account and the official website. The photos are screenshots taken by me.

Komada: A Whisky Family (駒田蒸留所へようこそ)

Komada: A Whisky Family (駒田蒸留所へようこそ) opened in Japanese theatres on 10 November 2023, and I had really wanted to catch it on its opening day. But it was raining heavily and riding in the rain on my scooter was not something I wanted to try. So today, I made my way to the local cinema and caught the first show of the day.

 

This is an occupation-related anime movie by P.A. Works. The story is about a young online magazine writer Takahashi Kotaro who was told to write a column on Japanese craft whisky, and helping him in this column is Komada Rui, the young CEO of a whisky distillery called Komada Distillery. In 91 minutes, the movie manages to set the stage, introduce the back story of the distillery (and its CEO) through a recollection narrated by one of its employees, a disaster that challenged the protagonists, and a happy ending with some touching moments. As well as the meaning being the name KOMA (which is the whisky the CEO was trying to recreate).

If you like the voice actor Hayami Saori (who voices Yor in Spy x Family, for example), this is a movie for you. Behind the movie is a message that, in life, we may not end up doing the things that we want. Most of the time, circumstances cause us to end up making certain choices and doing certain things. But rather than dwell in unhappiness, we should try to look at them in a more positive light. The things that we do are not always for the present. Sometimes, we will only see the results several years (or more) later. Somewhere in this movie is also a desire for preserving tradition, of wanting to recreate a familiar taste from the past so that this tradition continues into the future.

The length of the movie was just about right to develop the main story, but I felt it could have given a bit more attention to some of the side characters, especially Rui's friend Tomoko. For an anime movie, some of the scenes could have been animated a bit more smoothly. Then again, this could actually be the normal standard for anime movies, and my sense of "normal" could have been warped by watching too many Kyoto Animation and Shinkai Makoto works. 😅

It did still make me a bit interested in Japanese craft whisky. And I am really curious how much whisky these whisky blenders actually have to drink as part of work. Even if it is a small sip each time, having to taste whisky from barrels and barrels... those sips add up.

 

BTW, Komada Distillery is modeled after a real one, Saburomaro Distillery 三郎丸蒸留所 (which belongs to a sake brewery called Wakatsuru Shuzo Co., Ltd.) in Tonami City, Toyama Prefecture. Saburomaru Distillery's name was even mentioned in the movie, and the distillery has put out a range of products based on the movie too.

(Source: Saburomaru Distillery's official X page)

In conclusion, this is one of those occupation-related anime for those who like this genre. At 91 minutes, it is not too long to be boring but long enough to help kill time. It also serves as an easy way to learn a bit about Japanese craft whisky (not a lot... enough to spark interest). And fans of Hayami Saori will probably be the ones who watch this movie more than once.

Official website (in Japanese)

Official website (in English)

First anniversary of "Suzume"

Time flies, and today marks one year since Suzume opened in cinemas in Japan.

Since then, I have watched the movie 11 times. Some of them included live broadcast of events being held at another cinema and a "director's retake".

Suzume no Tojimari all-Japan stage greeting

Suzume stage event with director Shinkai Makoto

Final screening of Suzume in Japan with live broadcast of stage event

I wrote a post taking a deep dive into Suzume.

I saw director Shinkai Makoto in person at two events.

Director Shinkai Makoto in person at Dolby Cinema screening of Suzume no Tojimari

Suzume stage event with director Shinkai Makoto

 

I translated the two short stories handed out to movie-goers in Japan.

Suzume—Tamaki’s Story (unofficial translation of 小説すずめの戸締まり～環さんのものがたり～)

Suzume—Serizawa’s Story (unofficial translation of 小説すずめの戸締まり～芹澤のものがたり～)

I still have to write that summary for the audio commentary, though... 😅

Note: There is an online event with director Shinkai Makoto tonight on X (previous Twitter), this is the link to that event, which starts at 7 p.m. (1900) JST on 11 November 2023.

The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store 北極百貨店のコンシェルジュさん

The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store (北極百貨店のコンシェルジュさん) opened almost three weeks ago in Japan, and I finally got a chance to watch it last night at a local cinema.

The movie has been running for almost three weeks now, and I found myself being the first person there for this particular screening. The cinema I was at only screens it once a day now, at one of its smaller screens.

Okay, in the end, this screening had an audience of 12, including me. This is quite disappointing, because this is actually a really nice movie, something that can be easily enjoyed with the family.

First, a quick introduction. This movie is about a new concierge working at a department store. She is under probation and tries her best to please the customers. In this story, the department store is staffed by humans, while the customers are all animals. The wealthy customers, the important ones for the department store, are termed "VIAs" for Very Important Animals. The owner of the department store, though, is an animal too, a great auk. The movie follows our new concierge as she goes about helping some of these VIAs.

In a way, this is like a slice-of-life anime, with a bit of funny, gaggy part to it through exaggerated visuals and a running gag of the concierge stepping on the owner of the department store and calling him a penguin. At the same time, there is the environmental message behind it all. Not obvious, but there if you want to look. For example, the VIAs are all extinct animals. They include laughing owls, sea minks, Japanese wolves, Barbary lions, a woolly mammoth, a Carribean monk seal, and a paradise parrot. And of course, the owner of the department store, a great auk. These species became extinct due to human greed. In this movie, the department store symbolises human greed, but turns it around to make human serve animals instead.

What I like is how this movie focuses on entertainment first, even though it has that environmental message. Often, we see Disney movies where the politically correct message ends up too prominent, drawing attention away from the story. Well, not this one. At 70 minutes, the focus was on an enjoyable story that uses visual and audio to captivate the audience. The environmental message in the setting is left for the audience to discover, if they so choose; all the movie does is to give a quick narration about each extinct species as a sort of introduction, since not everyone may know them. I mean, you can't find them in a zoo anymore. I feel that this non-intrusive way of delivering a message through entertainment is what makes Japanese anime in general more appealing to the masses than recent Disney ones.

 

Hopefully, more people can catch it while it is still showing in Japan. If not, I hope it makes its way into streaming, and performs better with a global audience.

Official website (in Japanese)

Lidong 立冬

After Shuangjiang, or 霜降, comes Lidong, or 立冬, another of the 二十四節気 24 solar terms. It signifies the start of winter.

 

 

Scarcity, value, and image generation AI

We have heard the arguments for image generation AI, that it allows you to unleash your creativity even if you do not have the artistic skills necessary for giving form to the images in your mind. But before we plunge deep into AI, we need to ask ourselves, what is value?

Economics may sound like some deep academic stuff, but at its core, it is just a way of trying to explain how we make certain decisions in life, as an individual and as a group (whether as small groups, markets, countries, or society as a whole). One basic economic concept is the relationship between value and scarcity. Put simply, a thing has value because it is scarce, i.e. there is a limited amount of it available. For example, in the early days of the Industrial Revolution, business owners paid people to work in their factories because human labour was limited (a factor of the population size). An example closer to image generation AI would be the Mona Lisa, which is valuable because there is only one such copy in existence. The works of Leonardo da Vinci are valuable because no new da Vinci work can ever be created now that he is dead.

What then is the value of an illustration, for example? An illustration comes from two elements: the imagination and creativity of the illustrator, plus the skill of the illustrator. Imagination and creativity are subjective, but skill takes time to develop and is therefore easier to peg a value to, in terms of how scarce it is. While the overall value of an illustration may come from both the subjective element (imagination and creativity) and the illustrator's skill, in the end, in a practical sense, it is largely affected by skill.

So if we take skill out of the equation through the use of image generation AI, what remains of the value? Why would anyone pay anything for your work, which is based on the subjective element of your imagination and creativity, when they can easily generate their own works that appeal to their own tastes? If we see art as valuable because it is scarce, due to the limitation in the number of people with the skills to create them, would not the removal of scarcity result in the removal of value from art itself? In the end, does image generation AI allow us to generate more value, or does it remove the concept of value from art?

Update 7 February 2024: A comment I made on YouTube.

"AI will kill skill-learning, which in turn kills the evolution of that skill. So, if as a society, we think a skill is not worth keeping and don't mind it dying, then I think AI should be used to substitute that skill."

History of computer role playing games (CRPGs)

Nothing much. Just links to articles about the history of computer role playing games (CRPGs).

BRIEF: Everything We Know About 1970s Mainframe RPGs We Can No Longer Play

m199h: New Findings Both Solve and Deepen Mysteries

Using the names of RSN's frigates for calligraphy practice (part 2)

A few months ago, I wrote about using the names of RSN's frigates for calligraphy practice.

The Republic of Singapore Navy has six stealth frigates: RSS Formidable, RSS Intrepid, RSS Steadfast, RSS Tenacious, RSS Stalwart, and RSS Supreme, and the corresponding names in Chinese: 威武号, 刚毅号, 坚信号, 强力号,忠诚号, and 精湛号. 

 

I have used 威武, 刚毅, and 精湛 in past works (in bold below), and thought about doing something for the rest. So I sat down and started thinking of phrases that can be created using these characters. The goal was to create 七言 phrases that start with the Chinese characters of each name. From there, I see if I can create 五言 and 四言 phrases from that base phrase.

RSS Formidable 威武号
威风壮志镇四海
武德明智服天下
威风镇四海
武德服天下
威风壮志
武德明智

威镇四海
武服天下

RSS Intrepid 刚毅号
刚勇魄力似猛虎
毅然英姿如古松
刚勇似猛虎
毅然如古松
刚勇魄力
毅然英姿

RSS Steadfast 坚信号
坚守边疆固山河
信誉卓越留青史
坚守边疆
信誉卓著

RSS Tenacious 强力号
强盛精英日月勤
力护家园万古记
强盛精英
力护家园

RSS Stalwart 忠诚号
忠义不歇护江山
诚恳全力保民生
忠义护江山
诚恳保民生

忠义不歇
诚恳全力

RSS Supreme 精湛号
精锐之师稳天下
湛湛冰心治万民
精锐之师
湛湛冰心

This is my best attempt at creating the phrases. Next would be to check the calligraphy dictionary to source for how to write each character, and then actually try writing them out. The 七言 phrases will have to be written on 半切 paper, which is about 34.5cm by 135cm. The 五言 and 四言 phrases will probably be written on paper of half that size, aka 34.5cm by 67.5cm. If they look nice enough, I may even submit them for exhibitions.

 

Something like this:

 

 

Calligraphy piece 威武

Calligraphy piece starting with 剛 and 毅

Calligraphy piece - 精湛

Calligraphy piece - 精湛 exhibition piece