Shajiang black soil is one of the major soil types with low and medium productivity in Huaibei Plain, a sub plain of Huang-Huai-Hai Plain (HHH) of China. Certrifuge method was used to investigate the effects of different initial conditions on its shrinkage characteristics during drying process. The results showed that soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) was fitted better by Gregory model than the VG model when the shrinkage characteristic was considered. When the initial density (ρb) were 1.10g/cm3,1.22g/cm3 and 1.32g/cm3(B1, B2 and B3), respectively, soil water retention capacity at the same water suction was improved as the initial ρb was increased, linear shrinkage ratio was increased as the initial ρb was decreased. The final ρb upon shrinkage was positively correlated with the initial ρb. The increased initial bulk density increased void ratio in soil structure shrinking phase, while decreased void ratio in linear shrinking phase. When the initial water content were 49.34%, 43.55%, 36.03%, 31.93% and 25.51% (W1, W1, W3, W4 and W5), respectively, the higher the initial water content was, the faster the water lost, and the linear shrinkage ratio was increased. The void ratio in the structure shrinkage phase was the highest when water content was 36.03%. When the Shajiang contents were 0, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10% and 12% (SJ1, SJ2, SJ3, SJ4, SJ5 and SJ6) respectively, Shajiang content had little effect on linear shrinkage ratio and bulk density after shrinkage, and with the increase of Shajiang content, soil water content under the same soil suction was decreased. Soil void ratio was increased as Shajiang content was increased, but the soil moisture ratio was decreased under the same void ratio.