Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy)
Shodo (Japanese Calligraphy)
Japanese calligraphy, also known as shodo, is a revered, centuries-old art form and Zen practice which evokes harmony, beauty, and balance. Shodo uses a brush and charcoal ink on paper, wood plaques, and fabric and includes Chinese characters (kanji) and Japanese hiragana. Although it originated in the techniques used for letter writing, with its unique form of expression it has developed into an art genre.
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Upcoming Workshops
Shodo Workshop for Beginners (Afternoon)
November 24, 2025 at 2pm
Spend an afternoon trying the art of Japanese calligraphy. In this in-person workshop, you will learn how to use a brush and the brush strokes in basic kanji and will complete a piece to take home.
Shodo Workshop for Beginners (Evening)
November 24, 2025 at 5pm
Spend an evening trying the art of Japanese calligraphy. In this in-person workshop, you will learn how to use a brush and the brush strokes in basic kanji and will complete a piece to take home.
Current Courses
Fall Shodo (In-Person)
October 3 – December 12, 2025
In-person courses for beginners and those with previous experience are offered.
Fall Shodo (Online)
October 3 – December 12, 2025
Basic Kanji only: October 3 – 31, 2025
These online courses will consist of at-home practice, instructor-student dialogue, and instructor demonstration. Courses for beginners and those with previous experience are offered.
Japan Society’s 120th anniversary initiatives and related programs are generously supported by Champion Sponsor, MUFG Bank, Ltd.
Japan Society programs are supported by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Support for Japan Society’s Language Center is provided, in part, by Mark F. Goldfield and Mary E. Hatch, Christopher Hong, Steven Giordano, and Dr. Bic Kanayjorn.