Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo) classes in Tokyo

Posted: Tuesday, June 4, 2024

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Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy, is a traditional art with much history behind it.

Shodo's roots are in ancient China where kanji, one of the major forms of Japanese writing, originated. It was introduced to Japan around 600 AD and has been practiced ever since. If you would like to learn about Tokyo History, please read History of Tokyo.

Besides Japanese calligraphy, there are many other classes in Tokyo that can be great for immersing yourself in Japanese culture such as ikebana, taiko drums, etc. There are also many schools in Japan for studying martial arts including karate, judo, kendo.

What is Shodo?

Shodo is a form of Japanese calligraphy using a traditional brush “Fude” and ink “Sumi” which has a 4000-year history. Children in Japan learn the basics of calligraphy in Elementary School.

The preparation of ink is a time consuming process. You can find ink that is already prepared in a bottle however the quality is always inferior to fresh ground ink.

Shodo is not just writing in Japanese, but emphasizes the artistic nature of writing, with very precise and intentional brush strokes using traditional brushes and paper. That said, it's not a bad way to brush up on your kanji as well if you are trying to learn how to read and write Japanese, all while creating very beautiful and unique works of art.