KCP Calligraphy Class, Spring 2021
Japanese calligraphy (書道, shodō: “the way of writing”) is a form of artistic writing of the Japanese language. Wang Xizhi a Chinese calligrapher, politician, general and writer from the 4th century was Japan’s most esteemed calligrapher for some time. When Japan’s unique syllabaries, hiragana and katakana were formed, a distinctive Japanese writing system was developed. Calligraphers then produced styles inherent to Japan.
The Japanese writing system is made up of three character sets: kanji (thousands of Chinese characters), and hiragana and katakana (two syllabaries composed of 46 characters each; when combined are called kana). Calligraphy in Japan is taught in elementary school and is a popular hobby among adults. Japanese writing carries over to calligraphy in the manner placed in the order in which the strokes of how the characters are drawn.
There are three main styles of Japanese calligraphy. The block style (kaisho), is the most basic form and the simplest to write. Beginners usually start learning this style first. The semi cursive style (gyosho) is the more advanced technique followed by the cursive (sosho), practiced by the most skilled of calligraphers.
Check out KCP’s Spring 2021 students as they learn calligraphy.
The order in which the strokes of characters are drawn are important in Japanese calligraphy.
Using a shodo brush to practice strokes.
KCP Spring 2021 students.