History of Japanese calligraphy

The beginnings of shodo (Japanese Calligraphy) can be traced back to China, in the person of Wang Xizhi. It was in the 8th century when shodo was first introduced to Japan. The early Heian colleagues Emperor Saga, Kuukai, and Tachibana no Hayanari were known as The Three Great Brushes (Sanpitsu), and their calligraphy artworks were identified as true depictions of Chinese calligraphy’s classic elegance. 

During the 10th and 11th centuries the Sanpitsu were followed by the Sanseki (Three Traces): Fujiwara no Yukinari, Fujiwara no Sukemasa, and Ono no Toufuu. They were the ones considered originators of what would become the first truly unique Japanese calligraphy style called as wayou or joudaiyou. The Sesonji school followed Fujiwara no Yukinari's style and Ono no Toufuu acted as a standard for the Shouren’in school that lately became the Oie style of calligraphy. Oie style was utilised for official documents during the Edo period and remained as the style taught in the terakoya schools during that time.

As calligraphy has changed throughout time, its wide range for imagination, creativity and the growing number of women masters today epitomise the continued interest in calligraphy.