In the 5th
or 6th century Japan adopted the Chinese writing system. It is of no surprise
then that the Japanese, being the industrious people that they are, adopted
the methods and ideology of the Chinese writing system as well. As proof of
the Japanese single mindedness they have stuck to this rigid style of writing
for the past 1500 years.
The Chinese belief that that government has its foundation
in writing dedicated great importance to the Four Treasures
of Writing: brush, ink, inkstone, and paper.
Upon copying the Chinese bureaucratic system of government the Japanese also
adopted the Chinese idea of the Four Treasures. One can trace this back to Japan's
earliest records from the 8th century where the brush, ink, inkstone and paper
appear as objects of adoration.
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