From a first impression, the calligraphy class felt more like a club meeting than an elective.
There were just too many people.
The entire lecture hall was packed. Those who couldn't find a seat had to leave in disappointment.
Shigū Takeru and Rindo Itaru had no classes that afternoon and arrived early, unapologetically taking the "throne" seats in the front row, center.
"It's mostly upperclassmen who come."
It seemed that the longer one stayed at the Academy, the more one could feel the charm of this course.
The special instructor, wearing a Captain's haori, didn't keep the students waiting and appeared at the podium early. As soon as he spoke, his voice was like a gentle spring breeze.
"Good afternoon, everyone."
"As is tradition, I will introduce myself to the new students."
"I am Aizen. Aizen Sosuke. I serve as the Captain of the 5th Division in the Gotei 13. However, today, I am standing here merely as a teacher."
"I am deeply honored and gratified to be able to share my understanding of calligraphy with you."
"The fact that more and more people are joining is a great encouragement to me. It proves that you and I are walking on the correct path together."
"But enough pleasantries. Let us get to the main topic—"
Takeru watched as Aizen took a scroll of white paper from his sleeve and unrolled it, hanging it on the blackboard. The visual impact of the two extreme,-opposing colors—white paper and black ink—was far less than the shock brought by the character itself.
"..."
As a "young master" who had some knowledge of both Japanese and Chinese calligraphy, Takeru understood what "level" this was.
Aizen's paper had only one character on it—"山" (Mountain).
But at a glance, no one could tell it was the character for "mountain." They only felt they were looking at a landscape painting. A pitch-black mountain leaped from the paper, creating an extraordinary visual experience.
Only then did their brains react and realize, Oh, that's the character for "mountain"!
"In past classes, I have said many times that calligraphy is an art, not a technique. This is because it focuses more on spiritual cultivation."
"This character... I did not use any special techniques. I simply wrote the 'mountain' as I understand it onto the paper. That is all."
Aizen, showing no airs of a Captain, said jokingly, "That's why this class has no textbook. You just need to show up. Newcomers need not worry about falling behind."
Takeru didn't know if this reassured the other new students, but he truly felt the charm of the class.
Aizen really was just sharing his experience with calligraphy.
Even Ichigo probably wouldn't have trouble understanding.
...No, he couldn't be so sure about that.
But at least Takeru understood.
Japanese calligraphy originated from Chinese calligraphy, but it eventually veered onto the track of "art." Not to say Chinese calligraphy wasn't art, but could fine art and performance art be compared?
Japanese calligraphy was the "performance art" of a character.
It boldly deformed and transformed characters, breaking the traditional shackles of text to express different emotions, taking innovation to the extreme.
For example, some works were full of imagination, like a child's graffiti; others were filled with a twisted feeling that made the heart uncomfortable; some even split a character in two.
It wasn't hard to find works that were even more abstract than an abstract painting.
It was no wonder Aizen didn't use a formal teaching method. Anything even slightly formal would easily make one's writing too "ordinary" and lacking in merit.
"Rindo, do you think the Academy invited him to teach calligraphy as a way for people to vent stress?"
Takeru leaned back and whispered.
Rindo Itaru thought for a moment and replied:
[I find it very interesting.]
"Fair enough. That's as good a reason as any."
In an Academy with no club activities, it wasn't easy to find something "interesting" to do.
At that moment, Aizen suddenly spoke from the podium: "...Regarding the importance of calligraphy for spiritual cultivation, I would like to ask a student to come up and write a character. Would anyone be willing to cooperate?"
As soon as he said it, almost every student stood up excitedly, raising their hands, afraid Aizen wouldn't see them. Some even shouted impulsively. The classroom instantly became chaotic.
Aizen smiled, not minding at all, like a gentle, good-natured man. He scanned the room and finally pointed to Shigū Takeru in the front row.
"Let's have this student, then."
The others subconsciously looked over, almost twisting their mouths in annoyance.
Shigū Takeru was sitting there silently, expressionless, with one hand raised high. He looked the same as everyone else, except he was holding a piece of paper with a character already written on it, holding it blatantly up for Aizen to see. It was like a director holding up a cue card for a host—how could he not be noticed?
And that wasn't all.
Before Aizen could even ask, Takeru stood up with perfect composure and calmly displayed the character he had written for everyone to see.
He said nothing, nor did he have a smug expression.
He was just doing it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Completely at ease.
The students were stunned. This guy is so weird.
They couldn't say why he was weird, but he was just... weird.
"Hmm..."
Aizen pursed his lips, seemingly organizing his words.
"This student... If I recall correctly, you are the genius who just enrolled this year, Shigū-kun, aren't you?"
"Teacher Aizen, what do you think of my character?"
Takeru was curious what level his calligraphy was in Aizen's eyes.
"Truly outstanding!"
Aizen gave a high evaluation without hesitation.
"At first glance, it looks like two separate characters, but together they form the single character '崩' (Hō - Collapse/Crumble)."
"Did you deliberately separate the top and bottom halves to express the meaning of something collapsing or splitting from within? Or perhaps there is a greater, macroscopic statement? By combining different things, new things can be formed—which is the exact opposite of the character's original meaning. A philosophy of seeking unity in opposition?"
"Or perhaps it is an ironic fable... implying that things forcefully pieced together will one day inevitably fall apart."
"Even from its appearance alone, the character possesses considerable aesthetic beauty."
"To be so creative and simultaneously possess such calligraphic beauty... it seems the Academy's evaluation of Shigū-kun was far too conservative."
After this multi-layered deconstruction, the students immediately looked at Takeru in a new light. They even felt a small amount of admiration, as no one had ever received such high praise from Teacher Aizen before.
"Everyone, do you understand now? A genius like Shigū-kun has a more thorough understanding of things, which is beneficial to improving one's own spiritual cultivation."
"Many people misunderstand calligraphy, thinking it has no meaning for a Shinigami's work. I don't want to deny that idea. After all, a calligraphy brush cannot slay an enemy who possesses strong resolve."
Aizen pushed up his glasses and said with a smile:
"However, even with the same character, the way each person writes it, the form it presents, is unique."
"Calligraphy is writing one's own heart. I hope that all of you, in the process of studying calligraphy, can come to understand your own hearts and strengthen your own convictions."
"This will not only help you communicate with your Zanpakuto and even understand and master high-level Kido, but it will also help you, after you become Shinigami, to flourish on this same path in your own unique way."
His words were not passionate, but they were filled with a strange, infectious power.
It allowed people to sweep away their distracting thoughts, their minds unconsciously following his rhythm.
By the end of the class, it felt like a spiritual baptism.
The effect was far more than simple "stress relief."
It was a powerful shot in the arm for almost everyone.
No wonder a mere calligraphy class was so popular.
It wasn't just Aizen's personal charisma. His actions truly brought benefits to others. That was the most crucial part.
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