Become a student member of the Japanese Shokaisha Foundation 書海社 of shodō calligraphy, founded in the Taishō period in 1921, by joining its first English speaking branch, the Pure Wind (清風 Seifū) branch, and following its course materials.
Why learn shodō with the Shokaisha School?
Flexible monthly learning
Study in person, through our online distance learning options, or a combination of both.
Shokaisha membership
Join one of Japan’s most esteemed schools, over 100 years of history, and over 2000 members.
Calligraphy name and rank
Receive a calligraphy name (in kanji), and a calligraphy rank from a prestigious school.
Small minimum commitment
Brush a minimum of one practice piece each month, and take a break when needed.
Guidance and demonstrations
High levels of teaching support with demonstrations (in person; Zoom; video).
Learn skills, receive certificates
Practice a range of shodō styles, certificates for upper ranks.
Exhibition opportunity in Japan
Entryway to exhibit in Japan (when you reach the standard) in prominent exhibitions.
Climb the ranks, or do as hobby
Practice to move up the ranks, or become an authorised teacher, or simply enjoy as a hobby.
How does the monthly course work?
Find out about brushing your kadai (assignments) and shodō ranks. Discover inspiring poems and calligraphy texts copied such as the Senjimon 千字文 Thousand Character Classic. Explore styles from the ancient oracle bones to flowing kana calligraphy, and follow the brush strokes of calligraphers of the 4th to 20th centuries.
How to join the Pure Wind 清風 branch, and course fees
Read about the simple steps to becoming a Shokaisha School member and start the coursework, as well as about monthly fees, membership details and accessing calligraphy materials.
Trial and meet the teacher, or join our online class
Receive an example of the course material and friendly guidance on how to brush it, and the option to meet your teacher (either in person or online). Find out more:
About the Shokaisha 書海社 Foundation
The Shokaisha Foundation is one of Japan’s most respected shodō organisations, founded in 1921 by Matsumoto Hōsui. Shokai-sha translates as ‘sea of calligraphy – organisation’, has 119 branches with over 2000 students, and is known for graceful styles aiming at ‘sublime calligraphic beauty’. Shokaisha organises prominent annual exhibitions including at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
Practice Shokaisha’s acclaimed styles and become a member of a vibrant organisation and welcoming community. After years practicing with Head of School Tanimura Shundō Sensei, Scotland based calligrapher Blair Thomson (calligraphy name 武禮 Burei) was authorised to teach Shokaisha styles in Europe and set up a Shokaisha branch. Read more:
Wellbeing and meditative brushing
Immerse yourself fully in the moment of brushing the beautiful characters of the Shokaisha school.
Benefit your body and mind as distractions are forgotten, brushing in harmony with the materials. Our students find their practice a welcome focus and therapeutic.
Frequently asked questions
At Shokaisha a full range of styles can be learned, including: kaisho 楷書 (regular script); kana calligraphy 仮名; reisho 隷書 (clerical style); gyōsho 行書 (semi-cursive), sōsho 草書 (fully cursive ‘grass’ style); kyōsō 狂草 ‘crazy’ cursive script; and tensho 篆書 (seal script). The principle styles for monthly and annual assignments are kaisho, gyōsho, sōsho and kana.
You can arrange your calligraphy practice around your work or family life. The basic minimum is to complete one assignment per month in kaisho regular style (but you have the option to complete up to three assignments), and you can take a break when needed. The shodō ranking system is somewhat similar to those in other Japanese cultural schools and the Japanese martial arts. Shokaisha students can move up the lower ranks each month depending on how their monthly assignments are assessed, and both lower and higher ranking students can move up by submitting shiken 試験 annual assignments.