History

• Japanese calligraphy can actually trace its roots back to China, but it was brought to Japan along with much of the written Chinese language as far back as the fifth century. When Korean priests from China introduced paper to the Japanese in the Nara period during the eighth century, Buddhist monks began inscribing sutra passages using calligraphy. This gave rise to three masters of the art known as the Sanpitsu ("Three Great Brushes"): the monk Kukai, the government official Tachibana no Hayanari and Emperor Saga. In the 11th century the trio was succeeded by the Sanseki ("Three Traces")---Fujiwara no Sukemasa, Fujiwara no Yukinari and Ono no Toufuu---who are credited with creating the first uniquely Japanese form of calligraphy, also called Wayou.
  
  

Styles

• There are many different calligraphy styles in Japan, but generally there are three main types. The first is called kaisho, a distinctive easy-to-read block style seen most commonly in Japanese newspapers and textbooks. The second is a semi-cursive style known as gyosho, used primarily to accent or separate certain words from other kaisho text. The third is sosho, or "grass script," a fully cursive script known for its flowing lines commonly seen on the most formal of shodo art.
  
  

Tools

• The tools for shodo have remained largely unchanged, and are standard for both beginners and experienced calligraphers. The brush, called a fude, comes in many sizes and features stiff bristles made from animal hair. Ink normally comes in stick form and is known as sumi; the stick is rubbed onto a suzumi (ink stone) along with several drops of water to create the ink. Hanshi is the paper typically used for shodo, with varying thickness depending on whether you're practicing or painting a detailed piece of art.
  
  

Learning Shodo

• For people who want to study shodo more in-depth, there are schools both in Japan and around the world with programs dedicated to keeping the ancient art alive. Cultural centers, like the Japan Society in New York City, usually offer programs throughout the year that are open to curious calligraphers.
  
  

Modern Usage

• The art of shodo is no longer considered a mandatory skill to learn, and although it's a common addition to programs for elementary-grade children, it's now a high school elective rather than a compulsory activity in most Japanese schools. Calligraphy is a popular decorative item for interior design, often in the form of a single kanji written with flowing script to symbolize a theme or concept.