Shodō, or Japanese calligraphy, is the artistic practice of writing characters with a brush and ink. It emphasizes the beauty of each stroke and the flow of the characters, often reflecting the writer's emotions and state of mind. Traditionally, Shodō uses Chinese characters, known as kanji, as well as hiragana and katakana, the two phonetic scripts of the Japanese language. Practitioners of Shodō focus on techniques such as brush control, ink consistency, and the balance of composition. This art form is not only a means of communication but also a meditative practice, promoting mindfulness and concentration.