- Learning different culture, and you understand other people.

In Japan, Shodo is one of the subjects in the elementary schools, so everybody learns Shodo.

Shodo is Japanese calligraphy.

(chill instrumental music) Usually in Japan, the people start learning Shodo in elementary school.

There's a instructor living next to my parents' house coincidentally.

So I started before elementary school.

We use the brush "fude".

It's called "fude" and we use a liquid, Sumi, and also we use paper weight and a washi, but in US, some people call rice paper.

Everybody think that the Shodo is just Japanese calligraphy.

But there are two types, Shuji and Shodo.

Shuji is more like you just follow the sample.

But the Shodo is more like art.

(chill instrumental music) I want here in American people to Shodo as an art.

So that's why I give my students more like a design.

I want to establish American way.

I want them to enjoy Shodo.

Our Shodo should be more like a California roll.

Shodo is kind of a therapy because you need a lot of concentration.

So if the Shodo is therapy and maybe I can give those special kids or people who need, special needs more opportunity to open the door.

If you actually involve activities, you understand more other cultures and it's good for you.

(chill instrumental music) - [Announcer] This "NPT Arts Break" is made possible by the generous support of the Martha Rivers Ingram Advised Fund of the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.