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Category Shotai
Edomoji
Edomoji (江戸文字) are lettering styles which were invented for advertising in the Edo period. In contrast to the Chinese calligraphic styles, such as kaisho, reisho, gyōsho and sōsho, they are a uniquely Japanese calligraphic style and are often used in Japan to identify something which is Japanese, such as a sushi restaurant. Edomoji calligraphic styles are not widely taught in Japanese calligraphy schools.
Image:edomojis.jpg|Edo moji kanji at Edo Tokyo Museum
Image:edomoji-circle.jpg|Edo moji hiragana at Edo Tokyo Museum
Image:tairyousushi.jpg|Sushi shop sign tairyō sushi (大漁寿し) in edomoji
The main styles of Edomoji are
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This style is used for publicity and programmes for arts like kabuki and rakugo. Invented by Okazaki Yakanroku (岡崎屋勘六), the name derives from Okazaki's nickname, kantei (勘亭).
image:kanteiryu.jpg|Kanteiryū kanji from a font design book
Image:Kabuki-sign.jpg|Kanteiryū kanji on a kabuki sign
{{googleimage|勘亭流}}
Yosemoji (寄席文字)
The name yosemoji literally means "letters for yose". Yose is Japanese comedy theatre such as rakugo and manzai. A combination of kanteiryū and chōchinmoji, it was used for posters and flyers.
image:yosemoji.jpg|Yosemoji kanji from a font design book
image:suehirotei-zrahen.jpg|Yosemoji kanji from Suehirotei (末廣亭). (See [http://suehirotei.com/].)
See also about.com on Yose theatre.
{{googleimage|寄席文字}}
Kagomoji (篭文字)
This name literally means "cage letters". The font is thick and square in shape. It is usually used in inverted form or sometimes as an outline.
{{googleimage|籠文字}}
These characters have little "whiskers" on them. This style is used for kakigōri and ramune signs as well as being a common style for sake labels.
Image:higemoji.jpg|Hige moji kanji
Image:hige02.jpg|Hige moji on a sake barrel
Image:koori-hige.jpg|Hige moji on a sign for kakigoori
This style of lettering used for sumo wrestling advertisements and programmes. The letters are thick and black and are handwritten closely together so that there is little space between them.
Image:sumōmoji.jpg|Sumō moji kanji from a font design book
Image:sumo_lettering.jpg|Sumō moji in Osaka
Image:Ryougokustation.jpg|Sumō moji at Ryōgoku station
Chōchin moji
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| Chōchin moji |
Chōchin moji (提灯文字) are the ones used on chōchin (hanging paper lanterns), such as the ones you might see outside a yakitori stand or izakaya.
{{googleimage|提灯文字}}
Kakuji (角字)
This very heavy, rectangular style is used for making seals.
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Links
Page in Japanese about edomoji
Page in Japanese about edomoji
Category:Shotai