Shodō: The Art of Japanese Calligraphy

Understanding Japanese Calligraphy

Shodō (書道), meaning ‘the way of writing,’ is a refined art form that combines beauty and precision. Also known as shūji (習字), it transforms written Japanese characters into artistic expressions.

Origins and Development

Japanese calligraphy originally relied on Chinese characters (kanji). The advent of hiragana and katakana syllabaries introduced distinctively Japanese calligraphic styles, adding depth and variety to the art.