晴耕雨読 (sei-kō-u-doku)  “fine weather, labour, rain, read”

This is a “yo-ji-juku-go” (Japanese 4-character idiom), which describes how to live a peaceful yet productive life: work when it’s sunny, and rest when it rains. Doing everything in its proper season.

結 (ketsu)“Connections”

Literally meaning “tying together”, this word can be used to refer to the relationships that tie humans together, in particular romantic relationships. In Japan (as well as China and Korea) lovers who are destined to be together are thought to be joined by the “red thread of fate”. Romantic partners are often depicted with aContinueContinue reading “結 (ketsu)“Connections””

恩 (on) “favour, gratitude, obligation”

“On” is the concept of having received a great favour, feeling grateful, and knowing that you owe somebody a lot. In Japanese it seems like less of a subjective feeling, and more of a tangible object – a thing that you now possess because somebody helped you greatly. In Japanese, “I am very indebted” isContinueContinue reading “恩 (on) “favour, gratitude, obligation””