School Days: Calligraphy

In fourth grade, children start to do calligraphy or shuji. They use ink and special brushes to write kanji or Chinese characters on a scroll of paper. This bag is taken to school when it is needed. Newspaper is taken from home to put under the scroll of paper. The plastic box contains a slate where ink is poured. The brushes are dipped and then used. The brushes are rolled in the bamboo mat after they are cleaned. The students' best sample is mounted on a nice piece of paper and hung in the classroom for parents' meetings and then taken home.