Do Kanji Calligraphy for Peace
Practice kanji calligraphy by writing the characters for peace (平和) with a brush or brush pen, learning stroke order and creating peaceful artwork.
Step-by-step guide to do kanji calligraphy for peace
Step 1
Clear a flat workspace and lay down a paper towel to protect the table.
Step 2
Gather all the materials from the list and put them within easy reach.
Step 3
Sit comfortably at your workspace so your arm can move freely.
Step 4
Hold the brush or brush pen with a light grip between your thumb and fingers.
Step 5
Look up and study stroke order diagrams for the kanji 平 and 和.
Step 6
Use the pencil and ruler to lightly draw simple guidelines or a grid on your final paper.
Step 7
Pour a small amount of ink into the dish or prepare your brush pen so the tip is ready.
Step 8
Practice basic brush strokes on scrap paper until the lines feel smooth and steady.
Step 9
Practice writing the character 平 on scrap paper following the stroke order you studied.
Step 10
Carefully write 平 on your final paper using steady strokes and the guidelines.
Step 11
Practice writing the character 和 on scrap paper following the correct stroke order.
Step 12
Write 和 next to 平 on your final paper to create the word for peace.
Step 13
Let the ink dry completely before you touch the paper.
Step 14
Sign your name or add a small seal with pencil or stamp to finish your artwork.
Step 15
Share your finished creation on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can I use instead of sumi ink, a calligraphy brush, or an ink dish if those are hard to find?
If you can't find sumi ink or an ink dish, use a black water-based brush pen or dilute washable black acrylic or India ink in a shallow cup and substitute a soft paintbrush for the traditional brush when you prepare your ink or brush pen.
My strokes look blotchy or the ink keeps bleeding on the final paper—what should I try?
If strokes are blotchy or the ink bleeds when writing 平 and 和 on your final paper, blot excess ink on scrap paper before writing, switch to heavier-weight paper, and make lighter pencil guidelines so they won't show after the ink dries.
How can I adapt this activity for younger kids or make it more challenging for older kids?
For younger children, use a brush pen, larger paper, and pre-drawn stroke-order guides for 平 and 和, while older kids can practice with a traditional brush, real ink in a dish, and stricter stroke-order study before writing on the final paper.
How can we extend or personalize the kanji calligraphy project after writing 平 and 和?
To personalize the artwork, add a light watercolor wash behind 平 and 和, draw a decorative border with the pencil and ruler, and finish by signing or adding a small seal before sharing on DIY.org.
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Facts about Japanese calligraphy (shodo)
🗓️ Kakizome is the Japanese New Year's tradition of doing your first calligraphy of the year — people often write wishes like 'peace'.
🖌️ Shodō (Japanese calligraphy) uses the Four Treasures — brush, ink, paper, and inkstone — to write each character with care.
🎨 Sumi ink traditionally comes from grinding a solid inkstick on an inkstone; more water makes lighter, softer brushstrokes.
🧘 The characters 平 (flat/even) + 和 (harmony) combine to form 平和, the Japanese word for “peace.”
📚 There are about 2,136 Jōyō kanji used in daily life; learning common ones like 平 and 和 is a great place to start.
How do you do Kanji calligraphy for peace (writing 平和)?
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