Japanese calligraphy, commonly referred to as shodō, is something many students are interested in learning but have no idea how to go about it. If you bring up shodō in a conversation, rest assured that many people will attest to wishing they knew how to write it.

Students are having a hard time finding a teacher who is willing to take them through Japanese calligraphy, but thankfully, the internet gives them access to a plethora of professional writing services that hire shodō teachers.

The internet allows you to stream online shodō classes and learn real-time, the right stroke to use for different figures. If you have an undeniable passion for Japanese calligraphy, you’ll need to be patient with yourself because, just like learning a new language, mastering it will take time. Take solace in the fact that the internet will give you access to whatever resources you might need to expedite the learning process.

Learning Japanese calligraphy is a Nobel practice because you not only appreciate Japanese culture but empower yourself with the skills to make wonderful art.
Keep reading to learn the five tips that can help you learn Japanese calligraphy in no time.


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1. Go Through the Written Basics with Supervision
The key to learning the right stroke order of Japanese calligraphy is to ensure you have reliable supervision when you’re going through the written basics. Even though you could teach yourself shodō, going into this venture with a supervisor ensures that you don’t pick up any errors that might end up being stuck with you for months. Since you’re learning foreign calligraphy, the last thing you want is to practice the wrong strokes over time because you’ll need to spend a lot of time rectifying these errors.

2. Put in the Effort
Imagine oddly writing English letters; while you might have an idea what the person intended to write, the weird letters definitely interfere with your reading experience. Doing this with the Japanese language will give the impression that you didn’t bother to learn the calligraphy. So, even if you had good intentions, your work would be frowned upon.

3. Respect the Calligraphy
Proceeding to write Japanese calligraphy before you learn the right strokes is a mistake you don’t want to commit. Individuals of Japanese descent will see you as a lazy individual who romanticizes their calligraphy but does not respect it enough to put in the required effort to learn the correct way to write it. As a history buff, you wouldn’t want this to be associated with laziness and disrespect when it comes to other people’s cultures.

4. Don’t Skip What’s Hard
It’s easy to tell yourself that you will go back to the complex chapters, but actually doing it is a different story. Avoid skipping what’s hard because chances are if you do, you won’t have the motivation to learn these concepts.

5. Invest in Quality Learning Material
Japanese calligraphy has been around for eons, so you can bet that there are numerous resources out there that purport to teach shodō; however, don’t fall for anything because many people sell unreliable resources just to make money. Instead, invest in quality learning materials that guarantee accurate information.

Wrapping Up
Japanese calligraphy is an interesting yet complex skill many people would like to learn but are not willing to put in the work. If you decide to learn shodō, ensure you prepare yourself for the work required to master the right strokes.