5 Scripts of Japanese Calligraphy

Japanese calligraphy, known as Shodō (書道, “the way of writing”), is a traditional art of writing with brush and ink. It’s about creating beautiful characters with each brush stroke. Just like how we have print and cursive in the English alphabet, Japanese calligraphy has several different writing styles. 

There are five primary styles in Shodō​. These styles developed over centuries to serve different purposes – some for official documents, some for artistic expression. In this beginner-friendly guide, we’ll introduce each of the five main styles of Japanese calligraphy and what makes them unique. Whether you’re just curious or thinking of trying calligraphy yourself, read on to learn about Tensho, Reisho, Kaisho, Gyosho, and Sosho!

Tensho (Seal Script)

Tensho is the oldest style of Japanese calligraphy, originating from ancient Chinese seal script. It has a carved, decorative appearance, almost as if each character could be stamped into clay or carved in stone. Tensho is mostly used for official seals or name stamps rather than normal writing​. 

The strokes in this style are usually clear and bold, with characters often fitting into a squarish shape. Tensho characters look elegant and archaic, but they are also quite complex and time-consuming to write by hand​. Because of this, beginners usually don’t practice Tensho as much. Still, it’s fascinating to see – for example, personal name seals in Japan often use Tensho style to give a formal, traditional touch. This style shows the historic beauty of kanji, connecting us to the ancient origins of written characters.

Reisho (Clerical Script)

Reisho was developed after Tensho as a more practical way of writing. The word clerical hints at its use by clerks and officials in ancient times. Reisho features broad, flat strokes – especially long horizontal lines – giving each character a wide, low profile​. 

In this style, the beginning and ending of strokes are often exaggerated, which creates a bold and commanding look. Reisho was originally invented to make writing documents faster and easier to read​. Because of its strong, clear appearance, it was commonly used for large text on plaques, signs, and official inscriptions in history​. You can imagine government scribes using Reisho to record information quickly, while still keeping a dignified style.

Today, Reisho isn’t used for everyday handwriting, but calligraphers enjoy it as an art form to convey a sense of tradition and authority. Its distinctive horizontal strokes and confident feel make it stand out as a very traditional style in Japanese calligraphy.

Kaisho (Regular Script)

Kaisho is the most common and standard style of Japanese calligraphy. It is often the first style that beginners learn, because it’s like the “printed” or block-letter form of Japanese writing. In Kaisho, each stroke is made separately and carefully, with a clear beginning and ending point​. 

Characters written in Kaisho have a neat, squared-off look, and they are very easy to read. This is the style you see in most books, newspapers, and official documents in Japan​. In fact, all Japanese schoolchildren learn to write in Kaisho style, just as one would learn print letters before cursive. Kaisho’s focus on precision and proper form makes it the foundation of calligraphy – it teaches you the basic shapes and stroke order for each character. 

If you’re new to calligraphy, you will likely start with Kaisho to build your skills. Practicing Kaisho helps you develop control of the brush. Once you can write neatly in this regular script, you’ll have a strong base to explore the more cursive styles. Think of Kaisho as the starting point: it’s simple, clear, and formal, perfect for learning and for any time you need readable, beautiful text.

Gyosho (Semi-Cursive Script)

Gyosho is a semi-cursive style, which means it’s a middle ground between the regular Kaisho and the cursive Sosho. You can think of Gyosho as the “in-between” style – more fluid than Kaisho but not as abstract as full cursive. In Gyosho, some strokes connect smoothly into one another, and the brush moves in a more continuous, rounded way​. This gives the writing a pleasant flow and allows you to write a bit faster than in Kaisho. 

The characters in Gyosho still keep their overall shape, so people familiar with standard writing can usually read them without much trouble. The style has a lively, casual feel, making it popular for personal letters, journals, or poetry where a bit of personal flair is nice. Many students of calligraphy learn Gyosho after they have confidence in Kaisho. It’s often taught alongside Kaisho in calligraphy classes​ because practicing Gyosho helps you loosen up your strokes while maintaining control. 

For a beginner, trying Gyosho is an exciting step – you get to break the “rules” of strict form a little and let your brush move more freely. Gyosho shows how a character can be slightly "simplified" or connected yet remain recognizable and elegant. It’s a wonderful style to practice once you’re comfortable with the basics, as it bridges discipline and freedom in calligraphy.

Sosho (Cursive Script)

Sosho is the most cursive and free-flowing style of Japanese calligraphy – in fact, the term Sosho (草書) literally means “grass writing,” evoking the image of grasses swaying in the wind​. This style is all about speed and fluid motion. In Sosho, many of the strokes from the standard form are merged or simplified, and sometimes, parts of a character are dropped entirely​. 

Instead of distinct, separate strokes, you get sweeping lines that often loop and connect in one continuous motion. This makes Sosho extremely fast to write but also very hard to read unless you’re trained to recognize the forms​. Historically, scribes in ancient China used Sosho for taking quick notes on bamboo slips because it allowed them to jot down information with just a few swift strokes​. Over time, Sosho was brought to Japan and became part of Shodō’s artistic repertoire. 

Today, Sosho is mainly seen as a form of artistic expression in calligraphy. Master calligraphers use it to create dramatic, abstract-looking characters that capture the spirit or emotion behind the words. A single character in Sosho might look like a dance of ink across the page – highly stylized but incredibly beautiful in its movement. For beginners, Sosho can be the most challenging style since it deviates so much from the regular forms. Don’t worry if you find it nearly impossible to decipher at first glance – that’s normal! 

Even many Japanese readers can’t read a Sosho piece unless they know what text it’s based on. The goal of Sosho is less about legibility and more about expressing feeling and rhythm. If you continue with calligraphy practice, exploring Sosho can be very rewarding. It shows how calligraphy turns writing into art, with each stroke flowing into the next. Seeing and attempting Sosho reminds you that at the heart of calligraphy, beyond writing words, is the joy of creative expression.

Conclusion: Finding Your Style in Shodō

Each of these five styles of Japanese calligraphy has its own charm and purpose. From the formal clarity of Kaisho to the artistic flow of Sosho, they demonstrate the versatility of written characters. If you’re a beginner, it’s best to start with Kaisho to build a strong foundation. With practice, you can then try the smoother strokes of Gyosho, and eventually even experiment with the lively curves of Sosho as your skills improve. 

Remember, the different styles exist so that writing can fit different needs – sometimes clarity, sometimes speed, sometimes beauty. As you practice Shodō, you might find yourself drawn to one style more than the others, and that’s part of the fun. No matter which style you choose, the key is to enjoy the process. Japanese calligraphy is not just about writing words – it’s about expressing yourself and finding beauty in each line and curve. So, grab a brush and some ink, and enjoy exploring these styles on your calligraphy journey! Happy writing!