Japanese Calligraphy for Beginners

According to the Japanese, handwriting can reflect a person’s condition. The more precise and calmer your mind, the better each symbol looks.

Japanese calligraphy or Shodo (書道) is the most prevalent kind of excellent and clear writing in the Orient. The word Shodo translates to "the way of writing" or "the way of calligraphy" in Japanese: 

• 書 (Sho) means "writing" or "to write";
• 道 (Do) means "way" or "path," a concept that implies a spiritual journey or discipline, similar to the "Do" in martial arts like Judo or Kendo.

Calligraphy is an integral part of Japanese culture. Japan's artwork is highly regarded within local society and in the international market. Statistical Data from the Art Tokyo Association research indicates that in 2016, the value of artworks bought from Japanese dealers by residents was about 200 billion yen, while the value of art exported from Japan was 35 billion yen.

If you’re just starting with Japanese calligraphy exercises, it is okay if nothing goes as planned initially. Learning Japanese calligraphy rules is neither a short process nor requires a couple of practices. the initial changes, and after a year, you will hardly In about two and a half months, you will be aware of believe how much you have accomplished.

This article will teach you how to breathe while doing Japanese calligraphy, the basic rules, and where to start.  

Learn Japanese Calligraphy

As the Japanese say, the first step to doing a good job is using the right tools. With all the information, classes, and courses, you can learn Japanese calligraphy at different levels. Let's examine what is needed for beginners.

Choice of Workplace

Select the right atmosphere for the start. It should be free from noise and have adequate light. On the table, lay down a place for a tablet and a lectern for a sheet of 50 by 70 cm, with spaces for tools. By the way, you can always buy a professional Japanese calligraphy set to ensure you have everything before your practice. 

Calligraphy Paper

The most suitable paper for Japanese writing calligraphy is washi or hanshi paper. The paper should be soft, a natural shade of unbleached cotton — rice or sandalwood bark. It should not wrinkle after being wet and should shrink slightly. Use bunchin paperweight to keep your paper in place. 

Ink for Calligraphy

• Dry inks. Carcass in bars is considered the best. It has a luxurious velvet coating that contains various resins, oils, and soot.
• Ready-made liquid ink. Consider for beginners. 

To make ink for Japanese calligraphy, an inkstick (called sumi) is ground against a suzuri ink stone. The process begins with adding a tiny amount of water to the inkstone reservoir. The inkstick is rubbed on the stone's surface in circular motions, combining with the water to form a smooth, dark liquid ink. While time-consuming, it is regarded as a meditative, preparatory stage in traditional calligraphy. 

Beginners frequently use ready-made liquid ink for convenience. Still, more experienced calligraphers are urged to grind their ink since it strengthens their connection to the craft.

Fude Brush for Calligraphy

For the basics of Japanese calligraphy, we recommend using only natural brushes. Shodo brushes have properties that retain and release moisture on the paper. The most famous brushes are blonds, goats, hares, and wolves (column). A wooden or plastic insert separates the pile surface from the handle. To dry the brushes, use a hanger.

Suzuri Inkstone

This is a particular basis for rubbing inks. It has many forms, configurations, and types. The following materials are most often used:

• stone (the most popular material);
• unfired clay;
• metal;
• ceramics;
• porcelain (rare specimens).

What is important? The bottom should be perfectly flat and polished.

How to do Japanese Calligraphy

Japanese lettering originated in China and was imported in the 6th century, along with ideograms (called kanji in Japan). Japonisme explains that calligraphy is created with a single movement and can almost be body language.

It requires calmness and concentration. Before starting, clear your mind by taking a few breaths. Breathe lightly before making the first sweep; invite concentration into your practice. When the stroke is finished, breathe to relax and make each movement look fluid. Take some time off between the strokes to ensure your breath is not interrupted before returning to your full awareness at the next stroke.

Start with the basic signs to train your hand and improve your skills daily. Depending on your level and the amount of time you are willing to dedicate to practice, learning the characteristics of Japanese calligraphy can take a few months to a few years.

Learn the Basic Strokes

Mastering the basic brush strokes is the foundation of Japanese style letters. Practice hitsuzendo or the "way of the brush" repeatedly to get comfortable with the brush and the flow of ink:

• Tome (止め). This is a "stop" stroke, where the brush finishes with a clean stop. 
• Hane (跳ね). The "flick" stroke, where the brush is lifted at the end to produce a sharp, upward flick. 
• Harai (払い). This is a "sweeping" stroke in which the brush gradually lifts off the paper, tapering the line into a thin, flowing end.
• Tensetsu (転折). It is also known as a "corner" or "turning" stroke. This involves changing direction in the middle of a line, often seen in box-like or angular characters.
• Migi Harai (右払い). It is a "rightward sweep" stroke, similar to harai, but it moves explicitly from left to right and tapers off.
• Yoko (横). The "horizontal" stroke is important for balance in kanji. This stroke runs evenly from left to right, creating a robust and horizontal line.
• Tate (縦). The "vertical" stroke, which moves from top to bottom, is often slightly curved to maintain fluidity.
• Nuki (抜き). A "pulling" stroke that starts thick and gradually thins out as the brush is pulled away, giving a soft finish.
• Mawari (回り). A "circular" or "loop" stroke creates rounded shapes. 
• Kasure (かすれ). This refers to a "dry" or "textured" stroke, achieved by slightly lifting the brush to create a rough texture. 
• Sumi-Nagashi (墨流し). This technique subtly changes pressure to vary ink thickness, giving the character depth and texture. It is not precisely a single stroke.

Each requires precision, control, and practice to convey the elegance and expressiveness that define Japanese calligraphy.

Start with Simple Characters

Begin by writing simple Japanese calligraphy, using basic characters like those found in hiragana or katakana (the two phonetic syllabaries of Japanese). These characters have simpler forms and are easier for beginners to practice.

• Examples: さ (sa), ひ (hi), す (su), etc.

Beginners often start with the Kaisho style, the traditional font or style for Japanese calligraphy.

Practice Writing Kanji

After getting comfortable with hiragana and katakana, you can start practicing kanji (漢字), the complex characters borrowed from Chinese. Start with basic kanji that have fewer strokes.

• Examples: 一 (one), 人 (person), 日 (sun).

Important Points for Writing Kanji:

• Stroke order. Follow the correct stroke order for each character. Generally, you write from top to bottom and left to right.
• Balance and proportion. Kanji characters should be balanced, with even spacing and proportionate strokes.
• Pressure control. Varying the pressure on the brush creates thick and thin lines, contributing to the beauty of the calligraphy.

Focus on Flow and Rhythm

Shodo is about the flow of the brush and the balance between the strokes. The brush should glide smoothly over the paper, not rushed but with intention. The brush should never be forced; each stroke should feel natural and fluid.

Experiment with Layout

Once you’re comfortable writing individual characters, experiment with creating phrases or poems in calligraphy. You can also try arranging the characters vertically (as in traditional Japanese calligraphy) or horizontally.

Add Final Touches

After completing your handwriting, some artists stamp their calligraphy paintings with a personal seal (hanko) to sign. Hanko (判子) is an individual tool, often carved out of stone or wood, stressing a signature or an emblem of genuineness. Like that, they signify their print, adding an element of individuality and professionalism.