The art of Japanese Calligraphy goes back hundreds of years. A large number of members of the Samurai class and Zen masters of the past devoted their lives to the study and practice of this form of art. Famous Samurai who were also master calligraphers includes Musashi Miyamoto and Yamaoka Tesshu.

Shodo, as is known in Japanese, is to its fullest extent a form of self-expression; a way to transmit your KI (inner spirit) into the paper through brush and ink.

I have been practicing Shodo since 1998. For ten years I practiced alone teaching myself, but my calligraphy was always off— I could never get it to feel “right.” That was because I didn’t know the fundamentals and didn’t understand the way of writing. It wasn’t until I studied directly under a Japanese Calligraphy teacher that I was able to take my calligraphy to the next level. Through a long series of personal lessons under Maki Sensei, I learned the basics of Japanese Calligraphy and beyond. The methodology of this course is similar to the way Maki Sensei instructed me.

Many people all over the world are interested in learning Japanese Calligraphy, but it is challenging and rare to find a teacher. I have taught Japanese Calligraphy Workshops before, but I always get some many people expressing a deep interest in learning but can’t manage to travel long distances.

Now you have the opportunity to learn the basics of this beautiful art through easy to follow online lessons that you complete at your own pace.