Writing device for storing handwriting

When characters and the like are written with a writing device (2, 45, 53, 61), handwriting is detected by a handwriting detection circuit (21) based on outputs from optical sensors (17) and stress sensors (13) and is stored in a handwriting memory section (23, 73). The handwriting memory section (23, 73) stores the handwriting whereby it can be used as input data for a computer (36) and the like without reductions in the convenience in using the writing device (2, 45, 53, 61).