Kanji is the ideographic component of the Japanese writing system, which is a combination of phonetic signs and ideograms.

Evolution: Kanji was introduced to Japan in the fourth century from China via Korea. It has undergone considerable change in its centuries-long Japanization. Part of this transformation has involved the acquisition of new pronunciations - kun readings - as kanji was adapted to Japanese words. It has also entailed the development of entirely new meanings to represent Japanese life and living. In addition, these differences have been exagerated over the years as Japanese and other kanji-using languages have evolved independently.

Jôyô Kanji: In 1946, the Ministry of Japanese Education established a list of 1945 basic Chinese ideograms or "jôyô kanji". 166 supplementary ideograms were added, to be used in the first and the last names.

Calligraphy: What distinguishes Japanese Calligraphy from Chinese Calligraphy is the use of hiragana and katakana. Oftentimes it is the use of hiragana that makes Japanese Calligraphy unique and special and gives Japanese Calligraphy an artistic dimension not found in its Chinese counterpart.