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In ancient China, characters were written vertically, with lines progressing from right to left. In Japan, where Chinese characters were introduced from China, “vertical writing” was also the standard; however, since the modern era, it has been used alongside “horizontal writing.”

Currently, the “horizontal writing” used in daily life is “left-to-right horizontal writing,” influenced by Western scripts; however, in calligraphy, the traditional format is “right-to-left horizontal writing” (with exceptions such as modern Japanese calligraphy).

Based on these traditions, calligraphy can be described as an abstract art form that uses characters as its medium to create flow, resonance, and depth within a space.