As you know, there has been a big move in Japan recently – they want to apply for calligraphy, or "calligraphy" as they call it, to become a UNESCO intangible cultural heritage. As soon as this incident came out, it was like an explosion on the Internet, and all kinds of opinions and controversies flew all over the sky. Today, let's talk about this topic and see if calligraphy can become an intangible cultural heritage of Japan.
First of all, we need to understand what intangible cultural heritage is. To put it simply, it is the traditional culture, Xi, performing arts, etc. of a country or region, these things are not material, but they are the spiritual symbol of a nation and the cultural foundation of this nation. Now, the Japanese want to include calligraphy in this list.
But here's the catch: calligraphy originated in China, and that's a fact that everyone knows. Therefore, many people feel that Japan is "stealing" Chinese culture. But in fact, culture is not something you can steal if you say you can steal it. Cultures are fluid and mutually influential. Just like the flow of water, it flows from high to low, from the place of origin to all directions. In this process, it will bring a variety of colors and connotations, and become the common spiritual wealth of different regions and different nationalities.
In fact, Chinese calligraphy was successfully inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2009. This means that the value of calligraphy is recognized not only by China, but also by the world. Although Japanese calligraphy originated in China, it has been integrated into the daily life of Japanese people and has become a part of Japanese culture over the course of its long history. Just like the Japanese tea ceremony and flower arrangement, they were all passed down from China, but in the hands of the Japanese, they developed their own unique style and connotation.
So, can calligraphy become an intangible cultural heritage of Japan?I think it's entirely possible. Because calligraphy in Japan is not only a writing skill, it is also an art and a way of self-cultivation. In ancient Japan, people practiced Xi calligraphy to cultivate temperament and temperamentIn modern times, calligraphy is widely used in design, advertising and other fields, and has become a unique visual art.
Of course, this controversy also reflects some problems and challenges in cultural exchanges between China and Japan. How to better protect and inherit our own traditional culture, and at the same time actively absorb and learn from the excellent cultural achievements of other countries, is a topic that requires our joint efforts.
Finally, I would like to say that whether or not calligraphy eventually becomes Japan's intangible cultural heritage, it is an important bridge for cultural exchanges between China and Japan. Through calligraphy, we can gain a deeper understanding of each other's history and culture, and enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. Therefore, I hope that when the answer is revealed around November 2026, we can see a new chapter of China-Japan cultural exchanges that are more open, inclusive, and learn from each other. At the same time, I also hope that the friendly relations between China and Japan will continue to develop, so that the two peoples can find more resonance and cooperation points in cultural exchanges.
What do you have to say about this event?Everyone is welcome to like, comment and follow.
Note: The illustrations in the article are from the Internet, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete.