A commission for a friend who enjoys gliding ๐ฌ If you know someone who would like a unique gift, feel free to contact me about commissioning a calligraphy artwork. You can find more details here: https://calligraphybyvicky.co.uk/commission-a-work/#custom
็ๆ (sa-tsu-ki) “May” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is ไธๆ (ichi-gatsu, literally "Month one"), February is ไบๆ (ni-gatsu, "Month two"), etc. However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These monthsโ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar to the FrenchContinue reading "็ๆ (sa-tsu-ki) “May” (archaic)"
ๆฅฝ (raku) “fun”
A somewhat stylised work I did ages ago. I decided to post it now because in Japan it's currently Golden Week - a period of consecutive holidays and, hopefully, fun ๐
็ใฟใฏ้ฟใใใใชใ… (pain is inevitable, but suffering depends on you!)
็ใฟใฏ ้ฟใใใใชใ ใงใ่ฆใใฟใฏ ่ชๅๆฌก็ฌฌใ ๏ผ Pain is inevitable but suffering depends on you! This Buddhist-inspired quote is by the famous Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, from his book on how he uses Buddhist teachings to live a good life. It's one of my housemate's favourite phrases. This work was my birthday present to him a few yearsContinue reading "็ใฟใฏ้ฟใใใใชใ… (pain is inevitable, but suffering depends on you!)"
ใฆใตใฎใกใใ (usagi-chan) “bunny” ๐ฐ(actually “bnuy”…. or maybe “bnuny”…???)
This was a commission for the client to give as a gift to a friend who likes the word "bunny"... but often intentionally misspells it "bnuy" or "bnuny". I had to think how to interpret an English misspelling in Japanese. Eventually I came up with the following solution: "rabbit" = ใใฆใตใฎใ ("usagi") 2. Putting ใใกใใใContinue reading "ใฆใตใฎใกใใ (usagi-chan) “bunny” ๐ฐ(actually “bnuy”…. or maybe “bnuny”…???)"
ๆณ “idea”, “thought”, “conception”
Sorting out some of my old artworks today when I came across the original designs for my logo. The kanji is ๆณ, meaning "thought", "idea" or "conception". This is because the original name for my calligraphy business was "Calligraphy to Inspire". I've since changed the name, but kept the kanji.
ๅๆฐ่นใ (wa-ki-ai-ai) “happy friendly atmosphere”
My housemate wanted some calligraphy for our house. He asked for a phrase which relates to people coming together and having a good time. I asked my Japanese teacher for such a phrase and she recommended this 4-character idiom. Loosely translated, it means โfull of a happy friendly atmosphere when people gather togetherโ. ๅ =Continue reading "ๅๆฐ่นใ (wa-ki-ai-ai) “happy friendly atmosphere”"
ๅฒ (saku) “to bloom”
Springtime is the season for beautiful blooming flowers in Japan. The most well-known are cherry blossoms. Plum and peach blossoms are popular too. They look similar, but there are some key differences:
ๅฏๆ(uzuki) “April” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally "Month One", February is "Month Two", etc: ไธๆ = January ไบๆ = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These monthsโ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinue reading "ๅฏๆ(uzuki) “April” (archaic)"
๐ธ ๆก (sakura) “cherry blossoms” ๐ธ
It's cherry blossom season in (parts of) Japan! Cherry blossoms are arguably the most beloved of Japanese flowers, and even feature on the 100 coin. In springtime many Japanese people like to do ่ฑ่ฆ (Hanami) "viewing cherry blossoms", sometimes taking the excuse to have a party and drink under the trees.
Calligraphy by Vicky 