Your Name in Kanji! Japanese Calligraphy for Beginners

Explore three reasons to write your name in kanji: express unique meanings, reflect identity through specific character meanings, and create a distinctive, artful, and harder-to-imitate name for professional use.

Explore the Japanese language, spoken in Japan by about 125 million people, and its three writing systems—hiragana, katakana, and kanji—for phonetic and meaning expression.

Learn how to write an English name in hiragana, the phonetic Japanese script of 46 characters. Use a simple conversion chart and optional ChatGPT help for irregular cases.

Learn how to write an English name in katakana using the katakana chart, handle irregular cases, and use ChatGPT to confirm the rendering.

Learn how to convert an English name into kanji in Japanese using hiragana, katakana, and kanji; hiragana and katakana represent sounds, while kanji has meaning and enables identity with ChatGPT.

Compare shuji calligraphy and shodo, with shuji focusing on accurate, beautiful writing under strict rules and techniques, while shodo emphasizes individual expression and artistic brushwork.

Learn three kanji writing styles in japanese calligraphy—Kaishu standard script, Gosho semi-cursive, and Social cursive script—and how leftmost Kaisho, middle Yosho, and rightmost Social express harmony (ra) for your name.

Discover how correct kanji stroke order keeps characters balanced and visually appealing for calligraphy. Use Haku Nabi to check stroke order and practice smooth, expressive brush movements.

decide between shuji and shodo calligraphy for your kanji name, choose a style and stroke order, and design a unique kanji reflecting your identity with Moji tachi and Haku Nabi.

Explore how to use Japanese calligraphy tools and master horizontal, vertical, slanting strokes and dots, choosing shodo or shuji to express yourself with brush, pen, or ink.

Explore Japanese calligraphy tools, from large or small brushes to alternatives like branches. Use washi paper, a paper weight, underlay, and sumi ink with an inkstone to control brush strokes.

Learn to write vertical strokes in Japanese calligraphy by dipping the brush in ink and drawing zigzag lines from top to bottom, then bottom to top.

Master left slanting strokes in kanji with a three-minute drill tracing a circle from 6:00 to 12:00 and back, ten reps each direction.

Learn to write dots in Japanese calligraphy with a quick three-minute drill that builds brush control and stroke quality for characters that contain dots.

Prepare the right tools and practice the basics to write beautiful kanji. Master horizontal, vertical, slanting strokes, and dots through three minutes of practice for improved handwriting.

Choose a writing style and stroke order for your kanji name, deciding between shuji and shodo. Practice writing Thomas in kaisho standard style, gosho semi-cursive style, and social cursive style.

Learn step one to write the name Thomas in kaisho (standard) style, using horizontal, vertical, and left standing strokes, with careful ink dips and stroke adjustments.

Demonstrate step three of writing Thomas in sosho cursive style, showing how to choose the kanji and write it in one continuous brush stroke.

Explore examples of turning your name into kanji-inspired art using paper, fabric, wood, or other materials. Express your identity through prints, t-shirts, stamps, or displays.

Kanji writing expresses personality and creates a unique identity. Choose kanji for the same pronunciation to protect your name and elevate business card or signature impressions with artistic value.