Image by Rebecca (client) Japanese language students will know that “coffee” is usually written in katakana: コーヒー However it does have a kanji! (Or rather, it’s made of 2 kanji): 珈琲 These kanji are what is known as ateji – kanji which are used to phonetically represent foreign loan words. In many cases, the atejiContinueContinue reading “珈琲 (kōhī) “coffee””
Tag Archives: Japanese history
卯月(uzuki) “April” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month One”, February is “Month Two”, etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinueContinue reading “卯月(uzuki) “April” (archaic)”
弥生 (yayoi) “March” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month one”, February is “Month two”, etc. However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar to the French Revolutionary calendar). March is:ContinueContinue reading “弥生 (yayoi) “March” (archaic)”
金 (kin) “gold” / “money”
At the end of each year, Japan chooses a “Kanji of the Year”. 2024’s winner was 金, meaning “gold” or “money”. One reason is that 2024 was the year of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics, in which Japan won gold medals. 金メダル (kin medaru) = gold medal On a less positive note, Japanese economic newsContinueContinue reading “金 (kin) “gold” / “money””
如月 (kisaragi) “February” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month One”, February is “Month Two”, etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinueContinue reading “如月 (kisaragi) “February” (archaic)”
悟 (Satori) “enlightenment”
“Enlightenment is when a wave realises it is the ocean.” Thich Nhat Hanh The original artwork in the above photo is available on my Etsy store here.
師走 (shiwasu) “December” (archaic)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month one” 一月, February is “Month two” 二月, etc. However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar to the French Revolutionary calendar).ContinueContinue reading “師走 (shiwasu) “December” (archaic)”
栄 “prosperity”
This original artwork is available from my Etsy site
霜月 (shimotsuki) “November” (archaic) (literally “the month of frost”)
Like many countries, Japan uses a 12-month calendar. The names are very simple. January is literally “Month one”, February is “Month two”, etc: 一月 = January 二月 = February However, before the Meiji Restoration (mid-1800s) it was common to use an older 12-month system. These months’ names referenced the weather and the seasons (similar toContinueContinue reading “霜月 (shimotsuki) “November” (archaic) (literally “the month of frost”)”
無心 (mu-shin) “no-mind” or “nothingness mind”
An important concept in meditation and martial arts. If you have mu-shin, your mind is free from thoughts, desires and assumptions. The Buddhist nun Reverend Jiyu-Kennett once said: “It’s nothing… but it’s the fullest kind of nothing there ever was!” When your mind is clear, and you are free from ego and can act naturallyContinueContinue reading “無心 (mu-shin) “no-mind” or “nothingness mind””
Calligraphy by Vicky 