Japanese words – Page 2 – Calligraphy by Vicky

How many writing systems does the Japanese language use?

kanji (left side), hiragana (top right) and katakana (bottom right) When you begin learning Japanese, chances are you’ll find yourself coming up against not only one writing system, but multiple. The text below is taken from Wikipedia’s entry on kanji. I’ve coloured each of the writing systems in a different colour: また、英語圏やフランス語圏で「Kanji」と言う場合は、日本の漢字、狭義では新字体を指す。 As you canContinueContinue reading “How many writing systems does the Japanese language use?”

冬 (fuyu) “winter”

A Japanese calligraphy work of one kanji meaning "winter", black ink on white

睦月 (mu-tsu-ki) “January” (archaic)

a 2-character Japanese calligraphy work, referring to the ancient word for "January"

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 “睦月 (mu-tsu-ki) “January” (archaic)”

熊 (kuma) “bear” (kanji of the year 2025)

A Japanese calligraphy work of one kanji character meaning "bear", black ink on white background

At the end of each year, one kanji is chosen to be “kanji of the year”. The winning kanji represents that year’s current events. 2025’s kanji was “bear” (kuma) 熊. 2025 saw a marked increase in the number of wild bear attacks on Japanese citizens, due to environmental changes leading them to abandon their naturalContinueContinue reading “熊 (kuma) “bear” (kanji of the year 2025)”

午 = “Horse”???? 🐎

A 1-character Japanese calligraphy work of the kanji for the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Horse.

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”???? 🐎”

馬 (uma) “horse” 🐴

Japanese calligraphy, black ink on white background, of one character meaning "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

A 5-character Japanese calligraphy work on a traditional hanging scroll

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”

A framed Japanese calligraphy work of the character for "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

2 Japanese kanji characters. Together the meaning is "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”