This page shows examples of my previously commissioned works. For more examples of my works, check out the gallery or the blog.
If there is a certain certain word or phrase that you’d like written in Japanese calligraphy, please contact me (with absolutely no compulsion to buy). For more information about how to commission a work, click here.
For my ready-made works, check out my Etsy shop.
前進あるのみ (nothing to do but keep going forward)
A motivational message for the client to hang in their room, with the option of turning it into a tattoo design.
まこ “Mako”
“Mako” is the name of the client’s beloved cat.
The name “Mako” is the nickname of the Japanese actor Makoto Iwamatsu. Because it is a Japanese name, I decided to render it in hiragana.
(image by client)
リシー・シャーマ
The photo above is a commission for a client who wanted his name in katakana.
Due to phonetic differences between Japanese and other languages, one might have to alter the pronunciation of one’s name in order for it to be rendered in katakana.
Thankfully this client’s name fits katakana perfectly with no alterations!
珈琲 (coffee)
A recent commission of the kanji for “coffee”, to be rendered as a tattoo.
Japanese language students will notice that “coffee” is usually written in katakana these days: 「コーヒー」 , however the kanji is still used in situations where a traditional atmosphere is desired, for example of the coffee chain UeShimaKōHī uses kanji in their name: 上島珈琲.
陰陽 (yin-yang)
Yin is dark, cold, receptive, magnetic. Yang is light, hot, giving, active.
Yin and Yang are relative. The element of water is usually considered very Yin, but fast-moving water is Yang compared to still water.
Both are present in everything. Rather than being opposites, they are two sides of the same coin. A cup is Yang, but the empty space inside is Yin.
和気藹々 (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. It means something like “to be full of a happy friendly atmosphere when people gather together”.
ウサギちゃん (bnuy)
A commission for a client who wanted a Japanese rendition of “bunny”, with the middle letters flipped to intentionally mis-spell it as: “bnuy”.
After consulting with the client we agreed that one way to render this in Japanese is to horizontally “flip” the second character （サ）.
愛 (love)
痛みは避けられない… (pain is inevitable…)
A Haruki Murakami quote: “Pain is inevitable, but suffering depends on you!”
Murakami has written a book on his interpretation of Buddhism and his aim to incorporate Buddhist teachings into his life. This quote appears in his book. It reflects the Buddha’s philosophy that life is pain, but our way of thinking can change our reality.
翔 (soar)
偶然 (coincidence)
縁 (destined to be together)
縁 means destiny, usually of a romantic nature. This piece was a wedding gift.
渋味 (elegant simplicity)
This piece was commissioned as a decoration for a Florentine clothing boutique called 渋味 “Shibumi.”
Calligraphy by Vicky 