Japanese Calligraphy (Shodō): The Art of Writing

Japanese Calligraphy (Shodō): The Art of Writing

What is Japanese Calligraphy?

Japanese calligraphy (書道, shodō), also referred to as shūji (習字), is the artistic practice of writing in the Japanese language. It blends beauty and precision, turning written characters into art.

Origins and Evolution

Initially, Japanese writing relied solely on Chinese characters (kanji). However, the development of hiragana and katakana syllabaries introduced uniquely Japanese styles of calligraphy, enriching the art form with new expressions.