The usual kanji for horse is 馬, so does this mean there are two ways of writing “horse”? Kind of! Japan uses the Chinese Zodiac system in which each year is assigned one of 12 animals. When referring to these animals in the context of the Chinese Zodiac (and not as just regular animals), aContinueContinue reading “午 = “Horse”???? 🐎”
Tag Archives: Japanese language
馬 (uma) “horse” 🐴
Japan uses the Chinese Zodiac system in which each year is assigned one of 12 animals. 2026 is the Year of the Horse 🐴
書初め (kakizomé) The First Calligraphy of the New Year
New Year’s is the biggest festival in Japan. As a time for new beginnings, it is often observed by doing activities “for the first time in the new year”. The first calligraphy of the new year is called 書初め (kakizomé). The kanji: 書 = writing (as in 書道 – Japanese calligraphy, or “the way ofContinueContinue reading “書初め (kakizomé) The First Calligraphy of the New Year”
抱負 (hō-fu) resolution
New Year’s resolutions are just as popular in Japan as they are in western countries. In Japanese “New Year’s resolution” is 新年の抱負 (shin-nen-no-hō-fu). 新年 = New Year (shin-nen) 抱負 = resolution (hō-fu)
夢 (yumé) “dream”
According to Japanese tradition, the first dream of the new year is super important. If you dream about any of these 3 things, you’ll have a lucky year: Mount Fuji 🗻 A hawk 🦅 An eggplant / aubergine 🍆 The artwork in the photo is an original one-off and is available on my Etsy siteContinueContinue reading “夢 (yumé) “dream””
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: 新 = new (pronounced “a-ta-ra-shi-i” by itself, and “shin” when in conjunction with other kanji). 年 = year (pronounced “toshi” byContinueContinue reading “新年 (shin-nen) New Year”
あけおめ (a-ké-o-mé) “Happy New Year”
To wish someone “Happy New Year” in Japanese, say: あけまして おめでとうございます！ (a-ké-ma-shi-té o-mé-dé-tō go-zai-masu) Or, more casually, take the first 2 syllables from each word and say: あけ おめ！ (a-ké o-mé)
熊蟄穴 When bears begin to hibernate
The Japanese year used to be divided into 72 “micro-seasons”. These seasons were based on natural events such as the weather and the appearance of various plants and animals. Next week is the start of 熊蟄穴. The kanji: 熊 = bear 蟄 = hibernation 穴 = hole, den = the time when bears start theirContinueContinue reading “熊蟄穴 When bears begin to hibernate”
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)”
自主独立 (ji-shu-doku-ritsu) “Success through one’s own efforts”
The kanji: 自 = oneself 主 = main 独 = alone 立 = standing This is a special kind of Japaneses idiom known as a 四字熟語 (よじじゅくご、yo-ji-juku-go), or 4-character idiom. As the name suggests, these are idiomatic phrases made of 4 kanji characters. They often contain a small life lesson or moral message, similar toContinueContinue reading “自主独立 (ji-shu-doku-ritsu) “Success through one’s own efforts””
Calligraphy by Vicky 