Parents' Column | Calligraphy
“Shuji,” “Shodo” and “Kakikata”:
What’s the Difference?
Shuji classes, shodo classes, kakikata classes — with so many names, it’s hard to know what the difference is. Here we gently sort out what shuji, shodo, shosha, kohitsu (pencil) and mohitsu (brush) mean, when children learn them at school, and what to look for when choosing a class for your child.
“Shuji class or shodo class — which is better?” “Is a kakikata class different from shuji?” These are questions we often hear from parents who come for a trial lesson. The way these words are used varies a little by person and region, but they usually mean the following.
What the five words mean
| Word | Meaning | Where you hear it |
|---|---|---|
| 習字 (shuji) | Learning to write characters: practicing to write correctly and beautifully by copying a model | “O-shuji,” “shuji class” |
| 書道 (shodo) | The art of expressing beauty and feeling through characters; includes creating works and learning various scripts | “Shodo class,” art lessons in high school, exhibitions |
| 書写 (shosha) | The name of the time in Japanese class at school for learning character shapes and stroke order | Japanese class in elementary and junior high school |
| 硬筆 (kohitsu) | Writing with a hard writing tool such as a pencil or pen; also called “kakikata” (written かきかた or 書き方) | “Kakikata class,” “pen shuji” |
| 毛筆 (mohitsu) | Writing with a brush and ink | Kakizome (New Year calligraphy), shuji lessons at school |
How these words are used varies a little by class and region. Here we have summarized the meanings in common use.
Shuji vs. shodo
The biggest difference is the purpose.
- Shuji aims at “being able to write correctly, beautifully and legibly.” Practice is mostly copying a model.
- Shodo aims at “expressing yourself through characters.” After mastering the basics, children write their own works and learn various scripts.
That said, in a children’s class, both “shuji” and “shodo” start with the basics (posture, holding the brush, stroke order, character shapes). Whatever the name, what children do in elementary school is almost the same.
Shosha at school: what is learned, and when?
Elementary school Japanese class includes “shosha” time. Under Japan’s national curriculum guidelines, kohitsu (pencil) is taught from Grade 1, and mohitsu (brush) from Grade 3.
| Grade | Main content |
|---|---|
| Grades 1–2 | How to hold a pencil and sit; stroke order and shapes of hiragana, katakana and kanji (kohitsu) |
| From Grade 3 | Kohitsu plus mohitsu (holding the brush; writing dots and lines; tome, hane and harai — the stops, hooks and sweeps of strokes) |
| Winter break | Kakizome (New Year calligraphy; usually pencil in Grades 1–2, brush from Grade 3) |
Brush practice also improves the pencil writing in notebooks and tests. Carefully writing the stops, hooks and sweeps with a brush builds the skill to tidy up pencil writing. And the other way around: if the pencil grip and posture are poor, brush writing doesn’t go well either. Pencil and brush grow together.
Four points for choosing a class
- Does it teach kohitsu (pencil) too?
The writing people see most is in notebooks and tests. Check that pencil writing is looked at carefully, not only brush writing.
- Is there an order that suits the child’s age?
For kindergarten and lower elementary children, starting with ink right away can mean mess and failures that put them off. A class that starts with the pencil and moves on to the brush is reassuring.
- Can the child work on school assignments (kakizome and so on)?
It is a great help if the class also supports school shosha work and kakizome practice.
- Are there goals?
Goals such as kyu/dan grade exams and contests — “next, up to here” — give children the strength to keep going.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for my child, shuji or shodo?
In elementary school, you don’t need to worry much about the difference in names. Either way, children start with the basics: posture, grip, stroke order and character shapes. Rather than the name, we recommend choosing by whether pencil writing is also taught and whether there is an order suited to the child’s age.
Is a “kakikata class” different from a “shuji class”?
“Kakikata” usually means kohitsu — writing with a pencil or pen. Kakikata classes often focus on pencil and shuji classes on brush, but some classes teach both. Ask at the trial lesson which is taught, and how much.
What is “pen shuji”?
It is practicing beautiful writing with a ballpoint pen or other pen. It is one kind of kohitsu, and is often learned by adults. Children usually start with pencil kakikata.
From what age should my child start?
As a guide, pencil kakikata from the final year of kindergarten, and the brush (ink) from around January of the final year of kindergarten. See When should a child start calligraphy (kakikata shodo)? for details.
What happens at a trial lesson?
Kodomo School’s Kakikata Shodo trial lesson is free (about 20 minutes), and all you need to bring is writing supplies. Come and see the classroom atmosphere and how your child gets on with the teacher.
Pencil or brush, writing carefully makes you feel calm and clear inside!
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
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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.