Calligraphy Day (Shuji/Shodo Day)

What Is Calligraphy Day?

November 2nd is "Calligraphy Day" (Shuji no Hi / Shodo no Hi) in Japan, established in 2013 by the Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation as its 60th anniversary commemorative project. The date comes from a pun: 11 read as "ii" (good) and 2 read as "moji" (characters/letters). Until then, the foundation had marked the day on September 1st, its founding date.

Why This Time in November?

According to the foundation, November 2nd was chosen for the "ii moji" pun and to match November, a month of culture with many school festivals. The surrounding days include "Classics Day" (November 1st) and "Culture Day" (November 3rd), placing it squarely within Japan's "autumn of culture" season.

• Purpose: Calligraphy Day exists to help people rediscover the value of handwritten characters
• Neighboring anniversaries: early November is rich with cultural events, bookended by Classics Day and Culture Day
• Seasonal fit: the long autumn evenings are also considered an ideal season for writing letters or keeping a journal

What Is the Japan Calligraphy Education Foundation?

Founded in 1953, the foundation works to elevate calligraphy culture and spread calligraphy education, guided by the philosophy of its founder, Kanpo Harada: "correct, beautiful, and loving calligraphy."

Tips for Marking This Day

• Get out some stationery and write a handwritten letter to someone you care about
• If you mostly type on a computer or phone, try keeping today's journal entry entirely by hand
• Visit a calligraphy supply shop and pick up a new brush or ink
• Carefully write your own name or a favorite phrase in your best handwriting

A Warmth That Typing Alone Can't Convey

Now that typing on a computer or smartphone has become the norm, handwritten characters carry a special warmth all their own. Let November 2nd be a day to pick up a pen or brush after a long while and carefully write out your words, one character at a time.