In comparison to the soul, life is comparable to a dream. Your dreams are temporary, like your life. The original of this work is available to purchase here. 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 artworkContinueContinue reading “夢 (yu-mé) “dream””
Tag Archives: Japanese language
改善 (kai-zen) “continuous improvement”
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””
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””
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”
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””
on different calligraphy styles
Japanese calligraphy is a very restrictive form of art. The artist is constrained by the shape of the Japanese kanji characters. However, within these tight restraints there is opportunity for freedom and expression. The kanji characters can be written in different styles, with different ink types and colours, different colours and textures of paper, etc.ContinueContinue reading “on different calligraphy styles”
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!”
Calligraphy by Vicky 