Parents' Column | Calligraphy
Calligraphy (Shuji/Shodo) Tuition:
Average Fees and Other Costs
“How much is calligraphy a month?” “What about the calligraphy set and paper?” For children’s shuji/shodo classes, the number of lessons and what the tuition covers differ from class to class. Here we cover average monthly tuition, the other costs, how to compare classes, and a guide to a year’s costs at Kodomo School.
Calligraphy classes range from classes held in a teacher’s home to classes at community centers and cultural centers. Each sets its tuition differently, so if you compare on price alone you may find “there were fewer lessons than I thought” or “the tools cost extra.” Here we go through average tuition and the costs besides tuition, one by one.
Average monthly tuition
Most children’s calligraphy classes charge around ¥5,000 a month. Classes that meet twice a month start from the ¥3,000s; classes that meet once a week or more, or have longer lessons, can be around ¥6,000.
| What changes the tuition | How it changes |
|---|---|
| Lessons per month | Twice a month, three times a month, once a week (four times a month), etc. More lessons means higher tuition |
| Length of a lesson | 30, 60 or 90 minutes, etc. Some classes let children come any time within set hours |
| What is taught | Brush only, or pencil (kohitsu) as well |
| What tuition includes | Whether consumables such as paper and ink, and model sheets, are included in the tuition |
These figures are a guide (as of October 2026, based on amounts given on parenting information websites and the like). Please check with each class for details.
Costs besides tuition
| Cost | When? | Guide and tips |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment fee | Once, when joining | Often free to about ¥5,000. Some classes offer a sibling discount |
| Calligraphy set | Once, at the start | Brush, inkstone, ink (liquid ink), paperweight, felt mat, brush roll, etc. Often ¥5,000–10,000. Some classes let you use the school set |
| Consumables such as paper and liquid ink | When they run out | Some classes include them in the tuition; at others you buy them separately |
| Pencil-writing paper and model sheets | When used | Usually included in the tuition, but it depends on the class |
| Kyu/dan grade exam fees | When taking an exam | Classes with a kyu/dan system may charge exam fees or membership fees |
| Exhibition and contest entry fees | When entering | Entry is usually optional |
The calligraphy set is also used at school in shosha (brush writing) class from Grade 3. Ask whether the school set can be used at the class as well, so you don’t buy two.
Comparing “per lesson”
Tuition can’t be compared directly when the number of lessons differs. Work out the cost per lesson: a year’s tuition ÷ the number of lessons a year.
| Example | Calculation | Per lesson |
|---|---|---|
| ¥4,000 a month, twice a month | ¥4,000 × 12 months ÷ 24 lessons | About ¥2,000 |
| ¥5,000 a month, four times a month | ¥5,000 × 12 months ÷ 48 lessons | About ¥1,250 |
| Kodomo School (¥4,600 a month, 42 lessons a year) | ¥4,600 × 12 months ÷ 42 lessons | About ¥1,310 (60 minutes) |
Look also at the length of a lesson (30 or 60 minutes) and whether facility fees and consumables are included in the tuition, and the differences become clear.
Five points for comparing classes
- Compare “how much per year”
Tuition × 12 months, plus the enrollment fee, facility fees and tools.
- Number of lessons, and length of each
Twice a month or once a week also changes how fast your child progresses.
- Does it teach pencil (kohitsu) too?
If you want neater writing in notebooks and tests, choose a class that looks carefully at pencil writing as well. See Shuji, Shodo and Kakikata: What’s the Difference? for more.
- Tools and consumables
Check whether you must buy the calligraphy set at the class, and whether paper and liquid ink are included in the tuition.
- Ease of attending
Is it close to home or school? Is there flexibility about when to come? Whether a child keeps going often comes down to how easy it is to attend.
At Kodomo School (a year’s costs)
Kodomo School’s Kakikata Shodo class is once a week, 60 minutes (42 lessons a year), and teaches both pencil (kakikata) and brush (shodo). Lesson hours are basically 16:10–18:30, and children come at any time within those hours (a “free-time” system; some classrooms open from 15:40).
| Kindergarten (final year) & elementary | Junior high | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly tuition (tax included) | ¥4,600 | ¥5,500 |
| Facility fee (incl. insurance) | ¥1,100 / month | ¥1,100 / month |
| Monthly payment | ¥5,700 | ¥6,600 |
| Per year (12 months) | ¥68,400 | ¥79,200 |
| Enrollment fee | ¥4,800 (once, at the start; free from the second child in a family) | |
| Other | Calligraphy set (can also be bought at the classroom). For kindergarten children, the brush pen and water-calligraphy tools are provided by the classroom | |
For example, an elementary school child’s first year costs ¥68,400 (12 monthly payments) plus the ¥4,800 enrollment fee: ¥73,200 (not including the calligraphy set and so on).
Frequently asked questions
Should we buy a calligraphy set before enrolling?
You can wait until your child has enrolled. For the free trial lesson, writing supplies are all you need. You can also buy a set at the classroom when you enroll. Kindergarten children start with pencil, brush pen and water calligraphy, so a set isn’t needed right away.
Is tuition separate for pencil and brush?
No. At Kodomo School’s Kakikata Shodo class, one monthly tuition covers both pencil (kakikata) and brush (shodo).
Will my child’s writing improve with just one lesson a week?
Yes. As a guide: grip and posture in 1–2 months, stroke order and character shapes in about six months, and notebook and test writing in six months to a year (it varies from child to child). See Neater Handwriting: What Changes with Calligraphy Lessons for details.
I’d also like to know average soroban tuition.
We have summarized it in Soroban class tuition: average fees and other costs.
Is the trial lesson free?
Yes (about 20 minutes). All you need to bring is writing supplies. If you have questions about fees or anything else, please ask the teacher or head office staff at the trial lesson.
Compare tuition “per lesson” and it’s much easier to see!
About the author
Taito MoritaFounder & principal of Kodomo School (Morita Group Co., Ltd.)
He carries on the Morita Juku founded in Toyohashi in 1972. Through soroban, calligraphy and art at about 90 classrooms in Aichi and Shizuoka and at our Hanoi school in Vietnam, he helps children build the strength to believe in themselves. He also gives talks and seminars on education.
Message from our founderTalks & seminarsUpdated: October 8, 2026
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Calligraphy (shuji) classes in your city
Start with a free trial lesson
Soroban and calligraphy trial lessons are free (about 20 minutes; just bring something to write with). The art trial lesson is 40 minutes and costs ¥1,000 (nothing to bring). Come with your child and see the feel of the classroom and how well the teacher suits your child.