Learn Japanese Calligraphy

Founded by Master Calligrapher Eri Takase, Takase Shodokai offers authentic courses in Japanese Calligraphy.

While it is better to be able to sit down with an instructor, this is not always possible or practical. And if you are fortunate enough to have an instructor, sometimes more detailed information is needed. To this end we have developed an extensive Japanese Calligraphy course for both self-study and to supplement current studies.

The word shodokai in kanji is and means "Calligraphy Group". shodo in kanji is and literally means "the way of writing" which is translated as "calligraphy" and specifically Japanese Calligraphy. kai in kanji is and means group or club.

Japanese Calligraphy (called shodo) is all about movement and movement simply cannot be taught in a book. This is why we offer our unique courses on CD-ROM. Each CD in the series shows detailed explanations, stroke order, and frame by frame analysis and there are over thirty videos showing proper technique for brushing the character.

Calligraphy terms and proper pronunciation are also introduced though knowledge of Japanese is not required. At the click of a mouse one can actually hear the proper pronunciation. For more information see Sample Japanese Calligraphy Lessons.

Along with the correct way to brush the character, student samples and videos are also shown with corrections and explanations. By showing both right and wrong technique one learns what is correct and how to fix what is not.

Complete introductory sets, including the first CD, are available for $65 plus shipping at Calligraphy Set

The Takase Shodokai Learn Japanese Calligraphy Series on CD-ROM provides the in-depth instruction needed to master Japanese Calligraphy.

The first CD-ROM starts with tool selection and proper usage. Takase Sensei then guides the student through the basic strokes of the Kaisho script by using a combination of text, sample works, audio, video and frame-by-frame analysis. Following this several important characters are covered in detail offering more practice with the basic strokes.

The CD-ROM series is supported on Microsoft Windows using Internet Explorer or Netscape. All instruction is in English and does not require knowledge of Japanese.

Order Today!

Order the first session and calligraphy supplies at:
Takase Shodokai Calligraphy Supplies

By using a multi-media approach, Takase Sensei is able to teach Japanese Calligraphy in a way that is not possible through books alone. Being able to see the rhythm of the brush along with proper hand position and posture is essential to learning good technique and each CD contains over thirty videos and hundreds of photos.

Each lesson introduces one or more characters along with the usage, pronunciation and a word list. The calligraphic aspects of the character are shown in detail including a printable sample and an annotated version showing the stroke order and proper brush movement.

A video showing Takase Sensei brushing the character demonstrates proper brush movement, hand position, and technique. Following the video, every aspect of brushing the character is discussed in a frame-by-frame analysis of the video.

Takase Sensei also presents sample student works along with a detailed critique and corrections. Being able to see the mistakes and corrections of other student’s work shows the student what is considered wrong, why it is wrong, and how the fault can be corrected.

Master Calligrapher Eri Takase is ranked as Shihan in Japan's most prestigious calligraphic society, the Bokuteki-kai. She is among the few to have won several best of category awards in national competitions and her work has been displayed in the Osaka Museum of Arts.

Master Takase has been teaching Japanese Calligraphy for more than twenty years and for the past ten years has been teaching Japanese and non-Japanese speaking students in the United States.

Eri Takase has a monthly column on Japanese Calligraphy in Martial Arts Insider Magazine and her columns have been featured in Kampsport and Aviation Museum Foundation Magazine. For more on these and other articles visit the On-line Library