ICHCAP

On March 4, Japan`s Agency for Cultural Affairs announced that the Expert Committee under the agency selected Japan`s traditional calligraphy, Shodo (書道), as a candidate for the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Representative List. The Japanese government had initially aimed to add Shodo to the list in March 2024, but UNESCO delayed its review. The Cultural Advisory Board reassessed the nomination, recognizing that Shodo plays a vital role in showcasing the diversity and depth of Japanese culture to the world, and reselected it as a candidate.

Shodo is an art form that uses traditional brushes and ink to write Kanji and Kana characters, and in Japan, it is considered a form of mental cultivation. The tradition of signing important events, such as weddings and funerals, using the Shodo method continues, and calligraphy education is actively taught in elementary, middle, and high schools. Shodo not only remains deeply ingrained in the daily lives of Japanese people but also holds significant cultural and social meaning, with many practicing it as a hobby or art form.

If the re-selection is successfully completed, it is expected that Japan`s traditional art will gain greater international recognition.

Reference : https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/03/04/japan/japan-calligraphy-unesco/