Kanji Workshop The Way of Writing

History of kanji and the art behind it Kanji originated in ancient China as pictographic and ideographic symbols used to record meaning rather than sound. Over centuries, these characters traveled to Japan, where they were adapted into the Japanese writing system and became deeply intertwined with literature, religion, administration, and daily life. Beyond their practical use, kanji developed into an art form through calligraphy. The Workshop Experience Participants begin by putting on a traditional half jacket (hanten), symbolically entering the role of a learner of form. Each person then selects a single kanji to focus on. The session centers on writing that one character repeatedly, making adjustments and refinements with each attempt. The character gradually becomes a path of practice rather than just a symbol. The workshop concludes with each participant writing their chosen kanji on a formal board as a final piece (shikishi board).