Language Center書道2024 Fall Shodo (Online)(Japanese Calligraphy)
Japanese calligraphy, also known as shodo, is a revered,centuries-old art form and Zen practice which evokes
harmony, beauty, and balance. Shodo uses a brush andcharcoal ink on paper, wood plaques, and fabric andincludes Chinese characters (kanji) and Japanese hiragana.
Although it originated in the techniques used for letter
writing, with its unique form of expression it has developed
into an art genre.
These online courses will consist of at-home practice, instructor-student dialogue, and instructor
demonstration. Classes will meet online via Zoom. To participate fully, you will need access to a device
with internet, microphone, and camera (such as a laptop, smartphone, or tablet). Please note that all times
listed are New York time (ET). Students will need to purchase their own supplies.
The Language Center offers both online and in-person Shodo
course options. These courses are designed for adults aged
18 and above.
Please note this is not a language course. If you wish tolearn Japanese language, please see our other courses.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

In-Person Courses

Online Courses

Shodo forBeginners

Shodo forBeginners

Beginner

Basic Kanji⤋Open Level
AdvancedKanji
Kana

Shodo for Beginners:
Students will learn the brush strokes used in the basic 楷書 (kaisho)/regular script. This will be a small classsize, and the course will involve both homework practice and in-class time over Zoom. (For details of theschedule, please read below.) In the Zoom class, students are expected to show their work with the teacher
and other students so that everyone can learn from each other. Students must purchase their own supplies
ahead of beginning coursework, and the Language Center can provide recommendations for supplies. Thiscourse will prepare you for the Shodo Basic Kanji (online) or Shodo Open Level (in-person) course.
No prior Shodo or Japanese language experience necessary.
Section

Dates

Time

# of Classes

Instructor

Location

Beginners

Fridays, 9/20 – 11/8
(no class 9/27)

6:30 - 7:30 pm ET

7 classes

AsaiONLINE

Shodo Basic Kanji:
Students will mainly learn how to write Kanji in the 楷書 (kaisho)/regular script. In the class, theinstructor will give a demonstration in the beginning, and then students will get to practice. This course
is designed to be taken multiple times, and will help prepare you for the Shodo Kanji course (please
consult with your instructor for approval before enrolling in Shodo Kanji).
Prerequisite: students must have previously enrolled in the Shodo for Beginners course or have taken atleast 1 course (5+ lessons) of Shodo at Japan Society. (If you do not fit this prerequisite but have previous
experience with Japanese calligraphy, please contact us at language@japansociety.org.) Complete beginners toJapanese calligraphy should enroll in Shodo for Beginners.
Section

Dates

Time

# of Classes

Instructor

Location

Basic Kanji

Fridays, 9/20 – 11/8
(no class 9/27)

5:00 – 6:00 pm ET

7 classes

AsaiONLINE

Shodo Kanji:
Every week, two typefaces from 行書 (gyosho) / semi-cursive, 草書 (sosho) / cursive, and 隷書 (reisho) /clerical script are practiced in the class. This class is for those who have previous experience with Japanesecalligraphy and have learned the basic 楷書 (kaisho) / regular script already.
Prerequisite: students must have enrolled at least once in Shodo Basic Kanji at Japan Society, or havealready learned the basic kaisho/regular script style. (If you do not fit this prerequisite but have significant
previous experience with Japanese calligraphy, please contact us at language@japansociety.org.)
Section

Kanji

Dates

Fridays, 9/20 – 12/6
(no classes 9/27, 11/29)

Time# of Classes

Instructor

Location

1:00 – 2:00 pm ET

10 classes

Barringer

ONLINE

Shodo Kana:Students will write 俳句 (haiku) and 短歌 (tanka) using the Japanese syllabaries of hiragana, man’yogana(classic hiragana), and 草書 (sosho) /cursive script. This course is not for beginners.
Prerequisite: For participants with intermediate level Shodo experience and above. Hiragana recognition
and writing is required. (If you do not fit this prerequisite but have significant previous experience withJapanese calligraphy, please contact us at language@japansociety.org.)
SectionKanaDatesTime# of Classes

Instructor

Location

Fridays, 9/20 – 12/6

11:00 am – 12:00 pm
ET

10 classes

Barringer

ONLINE(no classes 9/27, 11/29)

COURSE STRUCTURE
These courses consist of online class meetings with instructor demonstration and live instructor-student
dialogue, at-home practice, and asynchronous instructor-student dialogue via feedback by email.
Class Meeting: see class meeting times above.
Students will meet with the instructor on Zoom. The instructor will review key points and details from thatweek’s sample at the beginning, and then work with students individually on technique, etc. This will happen
with everyone in the same Zoom meeting, so students will also hear/see feedback given to other students.
Writing Sample / kadai 課題:
Students will receive the writing sample from the instructor by email before each class meeting. This sample
will be practiced during the class meeting, and then students will continue to work on the sample over thenext week. Students may submit their final version any time before the next class meeting.
(Students are also welcome to begin working on the assignment once received from the instructor, even
before the class meeting time.)
We recommend that students print the assignment samples out in advance so that it can be used in practiceor in class.
Writing Sample Submission:
Students may submit their final sample/assignment(s) as a photo or scan to the instructor via email any time
before the next class meeting. In most cases, the instructor will email feedback to each student within 2
business days (weekdays) after receiving.
Further details will come from the instructor.

TUITION
7-Class Shodo Courses (Beginner, Basic Kanji)
Non-members: $260
Members: $230
10-Class Shodo Courses (Kanji, Kana)
Non-members: $340
Members: $300

Early Registration Discount (10-class courses only): at checkout, enter code EARLY through Wed., Aug.
21 to receive $10 off.
Japan Society Members: please log in to see the member price. To learn more about Japan Society
Membership, please visit the Membership page.

HOW TO REGISTER
Please register by Wednesday, Sept. 18 if possible. These classes are small, so we appreciate your earlyenrollment. Late registration may be possible if seats are available (please contact the office if registering
after Sept. 30).
Registration is accepted online (preferred), by phone at (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293, or in-person(please inquire for hours).
All registrants will receive a Welcome Letter by email from language_inquiries@japansociety.org on
the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024

Questions? Please email us at language@japansociety.org, or call (212) 715-1269 or (212) 715-1293.
ご質問は language@japansociety.org までご連絡ください。電話でのご登録を希望される方は、クレジッ
トカードをご用意の上、212-715-1269 又は 212-715-1293 までご連絡ください。

PLEASE NOTE
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are accepted until 12 pm ET on the business day before thecourse begins. After this deadline, cancellations are not accepted and tuition is not refundable ortransferable for any reason (including for credit). Upon cancellation, the tuition paid minus a service charge($20 for courses) will be refunded. Cancellations are only accepted via phone.
Japan Society also reserves the right to cancel any course if sufficient enrollment is not obtained. In suchcases, students already enrolled will receive full refunds (no service charge).
By registering for a course or workshop, you accept and agree to the above terms of thecancellation policy.
We do not record these classes, and recording of these classes is prohibited.

SHODO SUPPLIES
Shodo materials: Students should acquire their own shodo materials for at home use. The materials
needed are:• Brush (appropriate size for the work you are doing)• Kanji calligraphy (For classes: Beginners, Basic Kanji, Kanji, Open Level): 3cm or 1in brush tip (#3or #4)• Kana calligraphy (For classes: Kana, or Open Level advanced students working in Kana): skinny
sharp point brush• Ink (liquid or stick), and dish/container or ink stone to hold the ink• Paperweight• Felt pad• Hanshi paper (printer copy paper is fine as well)Alternatively, a limited quantity of Shodo supply kits (which include a brush, felt pad, and paperweight butNOT ink or paper) are available to rent for the semester from the Language Center. Supply kits are available
for a $40 rental fee (of which $35 will be returned for supplies with no significant damage). Partial kits can berented as well. Please contact the office to arrange rental and pick-up.
For suggestions and further details about the materials, please see the website.
Devices: a computer, tablet, or smart phone which has a camera, microphone, and speaker, or a computerwith an external microphone and camera, and internet access.
It is preferred that you set up a camera to show your work/brush strokes live, rather than your face. Thiscould mean using a stand or creating a comparable set up. If you have two devices, you could create anarrangement where the instructor can see both your work and your face. We can help you set this up inadvance; please contact the office.
For suggestions about your set up, please see the website.
Zoom: you will need to access Zoom for the Friday class meetings. We recommend downloading the app inadvance, since this will work better than the web browser.
If you need assistance acquiring Shodo materials, setting up your technology/checking your camera angle,
or further information, please email language@japansociety.org.
If you are purchasing supplies, please do so far enough in advance so that you receive the materials
before your first class. The Language Center is not responsible for delays resulting in a student not
being prepared by the first class session, and the cancellation policy still applies.

INSTRUCTORS
Megumi Barringer (Calligraphy name Shuka Barringer) has a calligraphy instructor license from theNihon Sogo Shogeiin of Public Interest Incorporated Association in Japan since 1997, and she has beenteaching calligraphy in Kamakura, Japan and Princeton, New Jersey for over 20 years. She is a calligraphy
instructor at Princeton Community Japanese Language School, Princeton University, and teaches
calligraphy classes to children and adults in Princeton. She has been teaching Shodo at Japan Society since2017. Her work (seal carving, kanji, kana) was selected for the Mainichi Calligraphy Exhibition. She presents
her work every August at a calligraphy exhibition held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum.
雅号：波琳 修佳（Barringer, Shuka）は、1997 年に公益社団法人 日本総合書芸院より書道師範の免許を取得。日本の鎌倉とニュージャージー州プリンストンで 20 年以上書道を指導をしています。NJ 州プリンストンに書道教室を開き、小学生から大人まで幅広く指導しています。またプリンストン日本語学校、プリンストン大学の書道講師、日本企業・美術館・日系人会のイベントにて書道体験教室もしています。2017 年
より Japan Society の書道講師に就任。毎日書道展にて、篆刻部門・漢字部門・仮名部門でそれぞれ入選歴があります。毎夏、東京都美術館で行われる書道展に出品しています。
Sanae Asai (Master Suiho) obtained a BA in Commerce from Meiji University and finished the courses ofCertified Financial Planner at NYU, and was bestowed with a Master in 1996 by the Calligraphy Institute of
Daitobunka University. She has taught calligraphy for 20 years in schools and cultural institutes in New York,The New School, the Long Island Japanese Culture Center, the Japanese American Society of New Jersey,Japanese Schools, the Hammond Museum, The Mid-Hudson Japanese Community Association, Arts MidHudson as well as her own private studio. As a modern-day calligrapher, she has performed live calligraphy
at Rotary Clubs, museums, and cultural festivals as an artist, and has been engaged in commercial projects
including marketing materials, logos, school certificates, and industrial designs.