絆 can refer to any kind of “bond”, but it usually refers to the “bonds” that structure human relationships. Although the word “bond” sounds inflexible and unforgiving, in Japanese it usually has a positive nuance when used to describe human relationships. Even if the nature of a human relationship leads to a reduction in one’sContinueContinue reading “絆 (ki-zu-na) “bonds””
Tag Archives: Japanese language
神 (ka-mi) “divine spirit”
Often translated as “god”, a Japanese kami is closer to the concept of a spirit. They are (mostly) not considerd to be omniscient nor omnipotent, but rather they influence the human world within a certain capacity. It is often said that in Japan there are 8 million kami. Some of the more well known are Amaterasu-o-mi-kami the sun goddess,ContinueContinue reading “神 (ka-mi) “divine spirit””
関 (kan) “barrier, connection, boundary”
This kanji character is rarely used on its own, but is often found combined with other characters. One meaning is “barrier”. There used to be many post stations along the road from Tokyo to Kyoto. At the mid-way point there was a large gate. This led to people thinking of towns in Japan as beingContinueContinue reading “関 (kan) “barrier, connection, boundary””
和 (wa) “peace”
This kanji also means “Japanese style” (opposed to “Western style”) as it is an ancient name for Japan. It can also be pronounced “Yamato”.
あおいうみ、さかなつり
(aoi umi, sakana tsuri) “blue sea, catching fish” You might notice that the above characters are a different style to the characters I usually write. Usually I write calligraphy in kanji, which is a logographic script in which each complex character has a meaning. The above is in hiragana, which is a syllabary – eachContinueContinue reading “あおいうみ、さかなつり”
仁 (jin) “benevolence”
One of the 7 virtues of bushido. “Jin” is also one of the most fundamental virtues of Confucianism (from which much of traditional Japanese morality was based), which could be defined as to treat each other with tenderness; to love each other. Samurai were expected to be benevolent. However, this was not the blind benevolenceContinueContinue reading “仁 (jin) “benevolence””
礼 (rei) “courtesy”
One of the 7 virtues of bushido, the samurai code of chivalry.
結 (ketsu)“Connections”
Literally meaning “tying together”, this word can be used to refer to the relationships that tie humans together, in particular romantic relationships. In Japan (as well as China and Korea) lovers who are destined to be together are thought to be joined by the “red thread of fate”. Romantic partners are often depicted with aContinueContinue reading “結 (ketsu)“Connections””
恩 (on) “favour, gratitude, obligation”
“On” is the concept of having received a great favour, feeling grateful, and knowing that you owe somebody a lot. In Japanese it seems like less of a subjective feeling, and more of a tangible object – a thing that you now possess because somebody helped you greatly. In Japanese, “I am very indebted” isContinueContinue reading “恩 (on) “favour, gratitude, obligation””
陰陽 (in-yo) “Yin and Yang”
Yin is dark, cold, receptive, magnetic. Yang is light, hot, giving, active. Both are present in everything. Day is Yang, Night is Yin. But during a Yang day, one will have periods of Yin rest. Yin-Yang is also an important concept in Japanese art. In the calligraphy above, outward brush-strokes are Yang and should beContinueContinue reading “陰陽 (in-yo) “Yin and Yang””
Calligraphy by Vicky 