Common Japanese Writing Styles

Chouchin moji is a style of writing often found on Japanese paper lanterns called "chouchin."

The most common Japanese writing styles were created during the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, and are referred to as "edomoji," which means "letters of edo." These writing styles, although created hundreds of years ago, can be seen in Japanese advertising, at traditional art performances and on official and legal documents in the form of stamps and seals.

Kanteiryuu

Kanteiryuu is a lettering style that consists of curving and closely-packed characters. This style is associated with traditional Japanese crafts and arts and is widely used in publicity for traditional Japanese performing arts such as Kabuki.

Yosemoji

Yosemoji is a style of writing that uses of bold and broad characters; it was originally used to publicize a type of Japanese vaudeville theater called "yose." The word "yosemoji" means " to attract customers" and now is used primarily in advertising for rakugo performances and related materials, such as tickets and CDs.

Higemoji

Higemoji is a style of writing in which the characters have a wispy look, and it is often used on Japanese sake bottles and on a Japanese carbonated soft drink called "ramune."

Sumou moji

Sumomoji means "letters of the sumo" and is the name of the specialized writing style used in sumo wrestling posters. It is characterized by bold lettering.

Chouchin moji

Chouchin moji is the style letters found on Japanese paper lanterns often found outside Japanese restaurants such as such as izakaya (Japanese tapas) and yakitori (barbaque skewer) places.

Kakuji

Kakuji is characterized by rectangular and bold letters. It is most often used for making Japanese seals or personal stamps.

References

• sci.lang.japan
• UK Embassy of Japan: Yosemoji and the Shaping of "WA"