Japanese calligraphy – Page 26 – Calligraphy by Vicky

抱負 (houfu) “resolution”

和気藹々 (wa-ki-ai-ai) “happy gathering”

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 happy friendly atmosphere when people gather together”. Anyway, heContinueContinue reading “和気藹々 (wa-ki-ai-ai) “happy gathering””

儚 (hakana) “transience”

One of the reasons that flowers are so well-loved is that they bloom for a short time. Transience holds an important place in Japanese culture; the more transient an object, the greater its beauty.

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.