A commission for a friend who enjoys gliding 🛬 If you know someone who would like a unique gift, feel free to contact me about commissioning a calligraphy artwork. You can find more details on my “purchase a work” page.
Tag Archives: Japanese language
月見 (Tsukimi) “moon-viewing”
Monday was Moon Viewing Day in Japan. The full moon in autumn is considered particularly clear and beautiful, much like the idea of a “harvest moon”. 🎑 🌕 In Japan, Moon Viewing Day is celebrated by eating white dumplings. In China it is celebrated by eating mooncakes – pastries filled with lotus paste and aContinueContinue reading “月見 (Tsukimi) “moon-viewing””
福 (fuku) “Good fortune”
福 “Good fortune” A very popular kanji! It appears in the name of the famous 東福寺 Tō-fuku-ji temple in Kyoto. It’s also in the names of many Japanese towns and cities, including Fukuoka 福岡 and Fukushima 福島 . The above artwork is an original Japanese calligraphy work. It’s available from my Etsy store here. It’sContinueContinue reading “福 (fuku) “Good fortune””
神無月 (kan-na-zuki) “October” (archaic)
神 = god 無 = not 月 = month The modern Japanese word for October is 十月 (literally “10th Month), however in the old-fashioned calendar is was known as 神無月, or “the month with no gods”. In October, all the gods in Japan (there are believed to be 8 million of them) go to IzumoContinueContinue reading “神無月 (kan-na-zuki) “October” (archaic)”
美 “beauty”
The English word “calligraphy” is derived from the Greek word Kalos, meaning “beautiful”. This original artwork is available from my Etsy site here
長月 (Nagatsuki) “September” (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 “長月 (Nagatsuki) “September” (archaic)”
温故知新 （おんこちしん）”learning from the past to gain new knowledge”
The kanji: 温 = warm 故 = circumstance 知 = knowledge 新 = new This 4-character idiom means “learning from the past to gain new knowledge”. “Knowledge” is represented by the third kanji 知, as in the Japanese verb 知る (shiru) “to know”. “New” is represented by the fourth kanji 新, as in the JapaneseContinueContinue reading “温故知新 （おんこちしん）”learning from the past to gain new knowledge””
禅 Zen
“There is no way to enlightenment; enlightenment is the way”. – Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master This one-off calligraphy work is available on my Etsy store here
以心伝心（i-shin-den-shin）“communication without words”
The kanji: 以 = by 心 = heart 伝 = to communicate 心 = heart This idiom refers to heart-to-heart communication; speaking without words. It is often said that the typical Japanese communication style has a tendency to leave certain things unsaid, to not say every word, and to read between the lines. “i-shin-den-shin” capturesContinueContinue reading “以心伝心（i-shin-den-shin）“communication without words””
初心 (shoshin) “beginner’s mind”
初 = for the first time, in the beginning. (This is the same kanji as 初め hajimé, meaning “for the first time”, as in the common Japanese greeting 初めまして hajimémashité.) 心 = heart, mind Having a “Beginner’s Mind” means viewing a situation from a fresh perspective, staying humble, and understanding that there is always moreContinueContinue reading “初心 (shoshin) “beginner’s mind””
Calligraphy by Vicky 