write
書 centers on the act of writing: putting marks down to record or communicate. It extends naturally to written works like books and documents.
to write; to compose; to pen
book; publication
document; writing; letter; papers; notes; records; archives
library
document; papers
bookshop; bookstore
textbook; coursebook; schoolbook
reading (books)
(private) secretary
Bible; the Scriptures; Holy Writ
writing
scrawl; scribble; graffiti; doodle
dictionary; lexicon
(written) work; book; writings
handwriting
books
way of writing; manner of writing
new book
main text
postcard
official document; archives
book; volume
calligraphy (esp. Asian calligraphy based on Chinese characters)
title (e.g. Doctor, Professor, Lord); job title; position (in a company); degree; status; rank
書 combines 聿 (a hand holding a brush) with 曰 (to speak), suggesting writing down spoken words. The modern form preserves this brush-and-speech idea.
The top 聿 looks like a hand holding a brush, and the bottom 曰 represents words. Picture a hand writing down spoken words with a brush: that is 書, to write.
For ショ, imagine a show where a calligrapher writes beautiful characters on stage: show -> ショ, and the brush dances across the paper.