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 toContinueContinue reading “改善 (kai-zen) “continuous improvement””
Tag Archives: japanese culture
放 (hanasu) “let go”
Freedom is found in letting go of desires, attachments, opinions, and other burdens which no longer serve us. The more we let go into grace, the more we gain. Living freely, without grasping. Each moment is enough, just as it is.
金継 (kin-tsu-gi) “celebrate your flaws!”
“Kintsugi” is to the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold or silver lacquer. The flaws become a decoration, and the pottery becomes more beautiful. This idea is part of the concept of “wabi-sabi”, in which imperfections and wear-and-tear are considered elegant.
幽玄 (yuu-gen) “beauty in the unseen”
Beauty can be found not only in what is shown directly, but also in what is unseen, half-seen or suggested. It’s the hidden meaning in a haiku poem, the elusive figure only half visible in a Hiroshige woodblock print, the subtle line in a calligraphy work, or the faint shape of Fuji-san just visible throughContinueContinue reading “幽玄 (yuu-gen) “beauty in the unseen””
一日一歩 (ichi-nichi-ip-po) “one step at a time”
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””
兎 / 卯 (u-sa-gi) “rabbit”
Like many East Asian countries, each year in Japan is represented by one of 12 animals. These animals are part of a divination system called “eto”. In English it’s often called “Chinese Zodiac”. 2023 is the year of the rabbit. In Japanese, the Chinese Zodiac kanji of each animal is different from the regular kanjiContinueContinue reading “兎 / 卯 (u-sa-gi) “rabbit””
新年 (shin-nen) New Year
The New Year’s holiday is one of the most important times for Japanese people. It’s a time to clean the house, make resolutions, forget the old year, and make a clean start. The kanji should be pretty easy for Japanese learners: 新 = new (pronounced “a-ta-ra-shi-i” by itself, and “shin” when in conjunction with otherContinueContinue reading “新年 (shin-nen) New Year”
あけおめ (a-ke-o-me) Happy New Year!
New Year is a massive celebration in Japan. Most people take time off work, visit their family, eat loads of good food, and go to their local shrine to pray for good luck for the upcoming year. If you’re learning Japanese you probably learnt: “Happy New Year!” = あけましておめでとうございます！ (a-ke-ma-shi-te o-me-de-to go-za-i-ma-su) This is correct,ContinueContinue reading “あけおめ (a-ke-o-me) Happy New Year!”
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””
七転八起 “fall down 7 times, get up 8 times”
七 = seven 転 = fall down 八 = eight 起 = get up In other words, “fall down seven times, get up eight times”, or “even if you fail a lot, don’t give up!” In life and in business you will almost certainly fail many times. Encountering setbacks is inevitable, and those who succeedContinueContinue reading “七転八起 “fall down 7 times, get up 8 times””
Calligraphy by Vicky 