The objective of the Sho-Calligraphy program is to cultivate highly skilled professionals who can contribute to society as calligraphers and researchers. Students in the program acquire expert knowledge and skills by taking theoretical and practical courses at the same time. The main coursework includes special lectures on the “Theory of Sho-Calligraphy” and“ Appreciation of Sho-Calligraphy.” Practical subjects include“ The art of Sho-Calligraphy in old Chinese characters,” “ Penmanship of Chinese characters written in demotic in semi-square style and in standard style,” “ Penmanship of Chinese characters written in semi-standard style and in cursive style,” and “ Penmanship of Kana.” In recent years, the field of Sho-Calligraphy penmanship has tended to reflect trends in cutting-edge Sho-Calligraphy studies and historical studies; penmanship has thus developed closer ties with the theoretical study of Sho-Calligraphy. In keeping with this situation, in the same way as the undergraduate school, we regard both the completion of a thesis and competence in penmanship as requirements for the completion of study; our aim is to cultivate a new type of calligrapher who will lead the way in this field. Nontraditional students can also attend classes, provided that they meet certain admission requirements.
Career paths for graduates
Graduates are vigorously pursuing careers in teaching at junior high and high schools, as well as universities throughout Japan such as Osaka Kyoiku University, Fukuoka University of Education, and Daito Bunka University. There are also many who are working as calligraphers, seal engravers and calligraphy researchers, while others are members of editorial boards of publishing companies, or are employed as curators at institutions such as Tokyo National Museum and Calligraphy Museum in Taito Ward.
Alumnae and Alumni
| 1990 | Ikeda Toshihiro | Professor at Osaka Kyoiku University |
| 1991 | Nabeshima Toko | A chief researcher at the Calligraphy Museum |
| 1992 | Takashiro Koichi | Professor at Daito Bunka University |
| 1994 | Shimada Kazuyuki | the chief editor of the Department of Sho-Calligraphy at the Kyoiku shuppan |
| 1995 | Yano Senzai | Professor at Morioka university |
| 1996 | Sakai Koji | Associate Professor at University of Teacher Education Fukuoka |
| 2003 | Hashimoto Takaaki | Associate Professor at Kokugakuin University |
| 2004 | Nakamura Nobuhiro | A researcher at the Calligraphy Museum |
| 2005 | Yamada Kayo | A Curator at the Saita museum |
| 2007 | Takahashi Yuta | Assistant Professor at Yasuda Women’s University |
| 2008 | Ogawa Akiho | A Curator at the Gotoh Museum |
| 2008 | 陳 建志 | A Curator at the National Palace Museum |
| 2013 | Hoshiko Momoko | A Curator at the Nagoya City Museum |
