This expression refers to someone who is soft and gentle on the outside, but inwardly tough and resilient. Similar to the English expression “steel in a velvet glove”. 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 4ContinueContinue reading “外柔内剛 (gai-jū-nai-go) “Soft outside, hard inside””
Tag Archives: Japanese language
粋 (iki) “understated elegance”
“Iki” is a Japanese aesthetic ideal. It refers to subtle elegance and sophistication. One of the aspects of iki is caring about the sensibilities of others. What you wear should make others feel comfortable, and wearing stylish clothing is a way of respecting those around you. This doesn’t mean that you can’t wear what youContinueContinue reading “粋 (iki) “understated elegance””
菖蒲華 (Ayame hana saku) “Irises bloom”
In ancient times Japanese people divided the year into 72 “micro-seasons”. These seasons were based on natural events such as the weather and appearance of various flora and fauna. Later this month it will be 菖蒲華, marking period when irises begin to bloom. You can find out more about Japanese micro-seasons here.
独立独歩 (doku-ritsu-dop-po) “To be independent and do things one’s own way”
The kanji:独 (1st and 3rd kanji) = independence立 = standing歩 = walking This phrases refers to following the path you believe in on your own, without relying on others.The second kanji means “standing”, so perhaps a more elegant English translation is “standing on one’s own two feet”.独立独歩 is a special kind of Japaneses idiom knownContinueContinue reading “独立独歩 (doku-ritsu-dop-po) “To be independent and do things one’s own way””
迷悟一如 (mei-go-ichi-nyo)
The kanji: 迷 being lost, confused, considering 悟 enlightenment 一 one 如 same So… “being confused and being enlightened are one and the same” In traditional Japanese culture, it is considered ethical to take a long time to reach a decision and come to a conclusion. Quick decisions are seen as rash and may leadContinueContinue reading “迷悟一如 (mei-go-ichi-nyo)”
水無月 (mi-na-tsuki) “The month of water”
The kanji: 水 = water 無 = none / not any 月 = month 無 means “not any”, not “of”. So why doesn’t this mean “the month with no water”? According to wikipedia, this 無 is used purely as an ateji, which is a kanji used for its pronunciation rather than its meaning. 無 isContinueContinue reading “水無月 (mi-na-tsuki) “The month of water””
Excerpt from the Heart Sutra
是諸法空相 = All phenomena bear the mark of Emptiness 不生不滅 = no Birth no Death 不垢不浄 = no Defilement no Purity 不増不減 = no Increasing no Decreasing (Translation by Thich Nhat Hanh) The Heart Sutra is one of the most important sutras (religious texts) in Buddhism. It celebrates the idea that all things of theContinueContinue reading “Excerpt from the Heart Sutra”
珈琲 (kōhī) “coffee”
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””
日進月歩 (nisshin geppō) “steady progress” 🐢
Tried to do something different from my usual style here. It was challenging but I like the result.The kanji in this idiom:日 = day (or sun)進 = progress月 = month (or moon)歩 = walking / steps 日進月歩 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 nameContinueContinue reading “日進月歩 (nisshin geppō) “steady progress” 🐢”
笑門来福 （shōmonraifuku）”Good fortune comes to a happy home”
The kanji in this phrase are: 笑 = laughing, smiling 門 = gate, door 来 = comes 福 = good luck In other words, good luck will come to the door of those who are smiling. This phrase is an abbreviation of 笑う門には福来る (warau mon ni wa fuku kuru). Shortened to 笑門来福, it becomes aContinueContinue reading “笑門来福 （shōmonraifuku）”Good fortune comes to a happy home””
Calligraphy by Vicky 