Parents' Column | Calligraphy
When should a child start calligraphy?
From pencil to brush, one gentle step at a time
Our short answer: pencil handwriting from the final year of kindergarten, and the brush (with ink) from around January of that year. There is a gentle order to follow, so we never hand a child a brush straight away. Here is what children learn, and how, at each age.
From what age can a child start?
Japanese calligraphy and handwriting (kakikata shodo) can be started from around the final year of kindergarten, when a child becomes interested in hiragana. At this age, what matters more than writing beautifully is the correct pencil grip and a good sitting posture. Once a bad grip becomes a habit, it takes time to correct. Learning the right “form” before elementary school makes handwriting lessons and notebook writing at school much easier.
The brush (with ink) usually starts from around January of the final kindergarten year. Ink easily stains clothes and desks, and preparing and putting away the tools takes some calm, so at Kodomo School we introduce it step by step, watching how each child is doing.
Pencil → brush pen → water writing → ink brush: a gentle order
- Pencil (pencil handwriting): correct grip, posture and stroke order. Children write hiragana and katakana while looking at a model.
- Brush pen: children learn the pressure for the stroke endings (tome, hane, harai) without using ink.
- Water calligraphy: special paper on which strokes written with water appear, then disappear as they dry. Children can practice as many times as they like, with no mess.
- Ink brush: starting carefully with preparing and putting away the tools. Children progress from the basic stroke endings to model characters, and then to the monthly assignment.
Taking these steps in order, children almost never come to dislike the brush because it is “too hard.” Being able to learn both pencil handwriting (kakikata) and brush calligraphy (shodo) in the same classroom is one of Kodomo School’s strengths.
How children learn at each age
Final year of kindergarten: grip, posture and hiragana
Using our original textbook, children learn hiragana one character at a time: tracing lines, looking at the shape, copying it. The goal is for them to feel that “writing is fun.” There are no grade exams during the final kindergarten year; from April of Grade 1, children start working toward grades through the monthly assignment.
Grades 1–3: connecting with handwriting lessons at school
Children write the kanji they learn at school, checking the stroke order and shape against a model. They can also work on their school handwriting assignments, such as kakizome (New Year’s calligraphy), in class. Grade exams (kyu and dan) are available in brush writing (there are no exams for pencil handwriting), and can be taken at the classroom your child usually attends.
Grades 4–6: balance, and writing quickly and beautifully
Kanji with many strokes, and the size and spacing of characters within a sentence. Children become able to write “easy-to-read” characters quickly, in notebooks and on tests too. More children start aiming for dan ranks.
Junior high: semi-cursive script, and handwriting for life
In addition to the standard script (kaisho), students learn the flowing semi-cursive script (gyosho). The impression made by handwritten assignments and exam papers, and beautiful handwriting as an adult, are assets for life. See Continuing in Junior High for details.
The difference between “shuji,” “shodo” and “kakikata”
| 習字 (shuji) | “Learning characters” by copying a model. The word is used for both pencil and brush. |
|---|---|
| 書道 (shodo) | Calligraphy with brush and ink, as an art and a discipline. The word used in junior high school classes and for creating artworks. |
| かきかた (kakikata) | Practicing correct, beautiful writing with a pencil (pencil handwriting). The foundation for “shosha,” the handwriting subject at elementary school. |
Kodomo School’s “kakikata shodo” means a class where children learn both pencil handwriting (kakikata) and brush calligraphy (shodo). Whether you are looking for a “shuji class,” a “shodo class” or a “kakikata class,” the same classroom can meet your needs.
What to bring, and monthly tuition
| What to bring | Writing supplies and a calligraphy set (when your child starts the ink brush). Brush-pen and water-calligraphy tools are provided by the classroom |
|---|---|
| Lessons | Once a week, 60 minutes (a “free-time” system: children come at any time within the lesson hours, usually 16:10–18:30; some classrooms open from 15:40) |
| Monthly tuition | Kindergarten and elementary school ¥4,600, junior high school ¥5,500 (tax included) |
| Other fees | Facility fee ¥1,100 / month (incl. insurance), enrollment fee ¥4,800 (free from the second child in a family), materials fee separate |
| Trial lesson | Free, about 20 minutes. Just bring writing supplies |
For the benefits beyond neater handwriting, see The Benefits of Calligraphy.
Frequently asked questions
My child is left-handed. Is that all right?
Yes. For the pencil, your child keeps using the left hand, and we adjust the grip and the position of the paper. For the brush, we sometimes practice with the right hand after talking it over with the child. We never force a change.
How long until my child’s handwriting improves?
Once the grip and posture are in place, many parents feel that “the lines have become firmer” within one or two months. For the writing in school notebooks to change, allow about six months to a year.
Will my child’s clothes get dirty?
On days when ink is used, we recommend clothes that can get dirty, or a smock. During the final kindergarten year, children mainly use the brush pen and water calligraphy, so there is no mess.
Can my child take both soroban and calligraphy?
Yes. Many classrooms hold both soroban and calligraphy at the same venue on different days of the week. The free trial lesson can cover both at once.
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 11, 2026
Parents' Column
More about calligraphy
Find a classroom
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.