Writing practice しゅうじ 習字

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

writing practice 　しゅうじ　習字  shūji

たいへんよくできました

taihen yoku dekimashita

very well done

Handwriting

Here we have reproduced five of the same hiragana syllabary sets. Each time we chose a different font, so as to show you what different styles of handwriting look like. 

The first two are clearly designed for children. They are straightforward and do not have too many added flicks. Closely compare the yellow kana boxes and you can see the differences.

The next one is similar, but showing a different style. It is more compact and ‘so’ and ‘fu’ are in the most original form with separate dots, yet ‘ki’ is still joined.

The next one is already showing more curves and more flicks. It is more adult-like and more stylish (a matter of taste).

The last one clearly is a style of writing that an adult would aspire to. The added flicks make the handwriting more flowing and also show that older people tend to not lift their pen or brush as they keep writing by linking every word. It is obviously not a problem, if you are an experienced reader, but children find it stressful having to “read grandma’s handwriting”. 

We suspect that is the case in all languages and types of writing. Of course, here we have shown only hiragana, but if one adds kanji to it, it becomes really difficult to read for youngsters.

The most advanced forms of handwriting styles are called calligraphy. It is very difficult and one has to train for that. It has become an art form all of its own.

Kanji 漢字 かんじ

This page gives a very quick, glossy look at kanji, but doesn’t teach anything more. At the end of this page there are links to other pages, which systematically take you through the first few hundred kanji. There is a very logical system behind it (which makes sense), otherwise Japanese people themselves wouldn’t be able to figure it out. Imagine the New York telephone book: of course there is a logic and order behind it, but you don’t have to memorise every page; you only take what you need.

This would be a depressing page for Japanese youngsters. 

This is a lot friendlier for students:

This chart shows the close relationship between kanji and hiragana. Think of Hiragana as short-hand for kanji.

This is more helpful.

This too specific.

This is easier, if you know what to look for.

This is informative, if you’re studying.

This is cool, if you like kanji. Irritating, if you don’t.

Aha! This makes sense.

And I am lost again.

This is “be careful”.

These ones are really cool to have in your bar at home!

   love                             wealth

silence                          peace

and back to depression…

A font demonstration book.

But… have no fear!  Rescue is here: (it rhymes)

Here are two examples to demonstrate how kanji would have come about. Whether they had candles like this one 5000 years ago is not so relevant. Something was under the table and something was on the table:

There are quite a few more pages. In fact, this website covers the first 200 kanji of any learning programme. All these kanji have a pictorial origin and therefore they are easy to learn and remember. They are the earliest building blocks. Why don’t you have a go yourself?  Here are the three links:

620   http://www.lamijapan.com/2012/05/all-ncea-level-1-kanji.html

720   http://www.lamijapan.com/2012/05/all-ncea-level-2-kanji.html

820   http://www.lamijapan.com/2012/05/all-ncea-level-3-kanji.html

Here is a page that may help you figure out 
the shaping of kanji, e.g. sub-parts etc.

http://www.lamijapan.com/2012/05/have-another-look-at-kanji.html

You can also have a look at calligraphy.

Calligraphy 書道 しょどう

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

 calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

calligraphy  書道　しょどう  shodō

Have a look at KANJI as well.