Welcome to Takase Shodokai
Section 1: Kaisho Basic
This is the first section of the Takase Shodokai Learn Japanese Calligraphy Series.
This section introduces Japanese Calligraphy using the kaisho (Block) font. Kaisho is probably the most commonly seen Japanese font today and is noted as being bold and powerful with precise and crisp lines.
By the end of this section the student will have a good understanding of the tools used in Japanese Calligraphy along with their usage and care. The student will also have a solid introduction to the basic strokes and lines that comprise the kaisho font.
In this first lesson we discuss the tools required for Japanese Calligraphy. We discuss what to look for when purchasing tools and their proper care. Finally we discuss their usage including how to hold the brush and how to prepare the ink.
In this lesson we concentrate on basic lines where we cover the three basic styles each of yokoga (horizontal lines), tatega (vertical lines) and tensetsu (compound lines).
This lesson focuses on the eight basic strokes of kaisho calligraphy using the kanji for Eternity which is ei in Japanese. Ei (Eternity) is usually the first character taught as it includes all of the basic strokes.
In this lesson we focus on the two harai strokes and on drawing yokoga (horizontal lines) which will cleanly bisect the tatega (vertical line).
In this lesson we focus on ten, tatega, yokoga, and tensetsu.
Finally we focus on the character yuu 由 concentrating again on the tatega and tensetsu. This character combined with ji 自 from the previous lesson gives us the word jiyuu 自由 meaning Freedom or Liberty.
Full Curriculum Roadmap
The complete curriculum spans four years and 86 lessons — from your first brush stroke to semi-cursive calligraphy. New sections will be added over time.
Year 1 — Kaisho (Block Style) Foundations
| Section | Lessons | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section 1: Fundamentals | L001–L006 | Tools, Lines, First Kanji (永本自由) | Available |
| Section 2: Kaisho Basic | L007–L012 | 主月花岩友目 | Coming Soon |
| Section 3: Kaisho Basic | L013–L018 | 耳手米国光空 | Coming Soon |
| Section 4: Compounds | L019–L024 | 見, 天地, 春風, 克己, 洗心, 喜 | Coming Soon |
| Section 5: Katakana | L025–L030 | Full katakana syllabary | Coming Soon |
Year 2 — Kaisho Intermediate
| Section | Lessons | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sections 6–9: Radicals | L031–L054 | Radical recognition & compound kanji | Coming Soon |
| Section 10: Hiragana | L055–L060 | Full hiragana syllabary | Coming Soon |
Year 3–4 — Gyosho (Semi-cursive)
| Section | Lessons | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sections 11–14: Gyosho | L061–L084 | Semi-cursive versions of kaisho kanji | Coming Soon |
| Section 15: Gyosho Final | L085–L086 | Gold & Cherry Blossoms | Coming Soon |
Fine Japanese calligraphy by Master Calligrapher Eri Takase