Japanese calligraphy is the essence of traditional japanese culture why not try your hand at this art shodo or japanese calligraphy is artistically written words that are written in a style that is both artistic and emotionally driven the art of calligraphy was handed down from china during the 6th and 7th centuries at which time the japanese learned how to make brushes ink and paper soon after its introduction it became an indispensable skill for educated nobles and samurai the lea