The word calligraphy literally means "beautiful writing." It is an art form that can be found in most civilizations with a written script. Originally developed to stress the importance of culture, religion and philosophy, over time calligraphy in most languages has developed into a purely artistic expression. In Japan, kanji characters from the panese writing system are used in calligraphy. An Introduction to Japanese Kanji Calligraphy is an exploration of this Asian art form, and examines how calligraphic poetry developed in Japan. Written by a Japanese shodo master, An Introduction to Japanese Kanji Calligraphy is a wonderful introduction to a beautiful art.