The second and fourth character in this famous 4-character idiom are both 心, which means “heart”. This idiom refers to heart-to-heart communication; speaking without words.
Tag Archives: Calligraphy
Secrets of Japanese business: 改善 (kai-zen) “continuous improvement”
Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning “change for the better” or “continuous improvement.” It is the Japanese business philosophy of continuously improving operations. Kaizen sees improvement in productivity as a gradual and methodical process. The kaizen concept asserts that there is no perfect end. Everything can be improved upon, and all employees must strive to evolveContinueContinue reading “Secrets of Japanese business: 改善 (kai-zen) “continuous improvement””
一期一会 (ichi-go-ichi-e) “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”
This 4-character idiom encourages us to reflect that every moment can be a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, if we make the most of it. To learn more about how to have more ichi-go-ichi-e in your life, check out this article.
我慢 (ga-man) “Endure!”
“Gaman” is a zen Buddhist term which loosely translates to “enduring the unbearable with patience and dignity”. In Japan, putting up with a seemingly unbearable situation is seen as a sign of maturity. In the notoriously tough Japanese workplace, employees are expected to “Gaman” as much as possible. You can read more about it here: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20190319-the-art-of-perseverance-how-gaman-defined-japan
臥薪嘗胆 (ga-shin-sho-tan) “stopping at nothing to achieve one’s goal”
One of my favourite Japanese 4-character idioms. 臥 = to bow 薪 = fuel 嘗 = burn up 胆 = courage
Calligraphy by Vicky 