一 = one 日 = day 一 = one 歩 = step I decided to write this classic Japanese 4-character idiom because it’s January and many people are thinking about their goals and resolutions for the upcoming year. At the moment I’m reading “Atomic Habits” by James Clear. This book says that instead of setting largeContinueContinue reading “一日一歩 (ichi-nichi-ip-po) “one step at a time””
Tag Archives: Japan
一期一会 (ichi-go-ichi-e) “treasure every moment”
一 = one 期 = occasion 一 = one 会 = encounter Each moment is a unique treasure. This idiom, which was voted as Japan’s favourite, is often used to show gratitude for the opportunity to meet someone wonderful who enriches our lives. This phrase serves as a reminder that, if we make the mostContinueContinue reading “一期一会 (ichi-go-ichi-e) “treasure every moment””
Calligraphy works for sale!
In Japan, calligraphy works of meaningful characters or phrases are displayed in homes, offices, temples and dōjōs as decoration and to provide inspiration. If you would like to own some Japanese calligraphy artwork to display in your home or office, check out my Etsy site for a selection of ready-made calligraphy works. Below is aContinueContinue reading “Calligraphy works for sale!”
陰陽 (in-yo) “Yin and Yang” ***free wallpaper!***
Yin is dark, cold, receptive, magnetic. Yang is light, hot, giving, active. Both are present in everything. Day is Yang, Night is Yin. But during an active Yang day, one will have periods of still, receptive Yin rest. Yin/Yang is an important concept in Japanese art. In calligraphy, outward brush-strokes are Yang and should beContinueContinue reading “陰陽 (in-yo) “Yin and Yang” ***free wallpaper!***”
気 (ki) “spirit”, “energy”
Japanese martial arts practitioners often give a loud quick shout as they perform an attacking move. This shout is a 気合 (ki-ai), often translated as “meeting of spirit”. This ki is the ki in aikido, qigong, and reiki. Ki is a central principle in traditional Chinese medicine and Eastern martial arts. It has been translatedContinueContinue reading “気 (ki) “spirit”, “energy””
鏡花水月 (kyo-ka-sui-getsu) “untouchable beauty”
The kanji in this 4-character idiom are: 鏡 = mirror 花 = flower 水 = water 月 = moon It evokes the image of the full moon reflected in water, or a flower reflected in a mirror – something beautiful but out of reach. I chose this idiom to write today because it contains theContinueContinue reading “鏡花水月 (kyo-ka-sui-getsu) “untouchable beauty””
月 (tsu-ki) “moon”
This past weekend was Moon Viewing Day (Night?) in Japan. The first full moon in September is considered particularly clear and beautiful, much like the idea of a “harvest moon”. In Japan, Moon Viewing Day is celebrated by eating white dumplings, and in China it is celebrated by eating special mooncakes, which contain a duck egg yolk.
無心 (mu-shin) “no-mind”
A state of mind when you are free from disturbing and intrusive thoughts. You are focussed wholly on the action you are performing at this moment. You are free to act and react based on inner-wisdom and instinct, without being influenced by desires and assumptions. Zen Buddhist practitioners seek to achieve this state of mind.ContinueContinue reading “無心 (mu-shin) “no-mind””
寿 (Kotobuki) “congratulations” or “long life”
This kanji is often found on Japanese greetings cards, and also on those fancy paper envelopes you put money in when you go to a wedding. It means “congratulations”. It can also mean “long life”. It is also the first kanji in the most common way to write sushi -（寿司）. This kanji is used forContinueContinue reading “寿 (Kotobuki) “congratulations” or “long life””
絆 (ki-zu-na) “bonds”
絆 can refer to any kind of “bond”, but it usually refers to the “bonds” that structure human relationships. Although the word “bond” sounds inflexible and unforgiving, in Japanese it usually has a positive nuance when used to describe human relationships. Even if the nature of a human relationship leads to a reduction in one’sContinueContinue reading “絆 (ki-zu-na) “bonds””
Calligraphy by Vicky 