Abstract: A liquid crystal element of optical writing type includes a pair of transparent substrates respectively having electrodes formed on the overall surfaces thereof. The liquid crystal element also includes a photoconductive layer formed on one of the transparent substrates and having a back-to-back diode structure, which impedance is to be changed depending on an amount of incident light. The liquid crystal element further includes a mirror layer for reflecting light entered from the other side of a writing side of the photoconductive layer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the pair of transparent substrates.