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This comprehensive calligraphy textbook by renowned American calligrapher Sheila Waters covers everything from the fundamentals to advanced applications. It introduces over a dozen scripts—including Roman minuscule and Uncial—explaining not only their basic construction but also their variations. In addition to the author’s exemplary models, the book features historical references and works by distinguished calligraphers.
Beyond demonstrating how to form individual letters, the book explores how to use them effectively—covering spacing between letters, words, and lines, as well as layout, design, and the process of creating finished works. It offers detailed explanations throughout. The knowledge and technique of the author—who taught for more than 50 years and was known as the “Queen of Calligraphy”—are distilled into this single volume. It is an essential guide for those who wish to build a solid foundation and continue improving their skills.
The original edition, Foundations of Calligraphy (5th edition), was published in the United States in 2006 and has been a long-selling title for nearly two decades, distributed worldwide through mail order. The first translated edition to be released ahead of the rest of the world. Supervised by the author’s son, the renowned calligrapher Julian Waters, and translated by calligrapher Takako Takigawa, this edition includes newly added explanations of calligraphy terminology for Japanese readers, making it accessible and easy to understand.
It is also an invaluable resource for students of typography. Although written for those studying calligraphy, the book also devotes substantial attention to concepts such as spacing in the Latin alphabet, relationships between letterspacing, word spacing, and line spacing, as well as layout.
(Endorsements)
— Akira Kobayashi, Type Director
— Minako Mito, Calligrapher
— Izumi Shiratani, Calligrapher
(Contents)
Foreword — Julian Waters
Introduction — Sheila Waters
Chapter 1: Basics & Beyond
Chapter 2: Roman Minuscule: Foundational Hand
Chapter 3: Capitals
Chapter 4: Narrow Hnads: From Roman Minuscule to Blackletter
Chapter 5: Gothic Cursive
Chapter 6: Uncial & Half-Uncial
Chapter 7: Carolingian
Chapter 8: Italic
Chapter 9: Italic Variations
Chapter 10: Analysis & Practice
Chapter 11: Design & Layout
Chapter 12: From Concept to Completion
Chapter 13: Applying Design Principles
Gallery (Works by the Author)
Glossary
Translator’s Afterword
(Bibliographic Information)
Publisher: Book&Design
ISBN: 978-4-909718-16-7
Price: ¥5,000+tax (including tax: ¥5,500)
Format: Modified A4 size (280 × 210 mm)
Casebound (rounded spine), 164 pages (132 monochrome + 32 color)
Publication Date: May 7, 2026
Japanese edition:
Written by Sheila Waters
Editorial supervision by Julian Waters
Translated by Takako Takigawa
Original text reviewed by Julian Waters and Takako Takigawa
(Sales Information)
For customers outside Japan
We do not ship internationally.
For the Japanese edition, please visit Amazon.co.jp.
For customers in Japan
The book will be available through
the Book&Design online store (https://bookdesign.theshop.jp/),
Amazon.co.jp, and bookstores that carry Book&Design titles.
Orders on the online store will be accepted from April 17,
with shipping scheduled to begin on April 26.
Sales on Amazon and in bookstores are expected to begin around May 11.
Contact Information: info [at mark] book-design.jp
