私 (Watakushi) means “I, myself.” The left side of this word represents a rice plant and the right side represents arms. As one character, it shows a person holding lots of rice with both their arms. 先 (Sen, saki) means “before or after.” The top of this word indicates a person’s foot and the portion […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Polish your heart with shodo
January 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
書 (Sho) means “writing.” The top of this character depicts a person who is writing calligraphy, and the bottom represents a piece of paper. 道 (Do, michi) means “a way, path or road.” The right side represents a person’s head and face and the left side represents a crossroad. 心 (Kokoro) means “heart.” This word […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Our life is for planting seeds of smiling or laughter
January 1, 2021 by Leave a Comment
人 represents a person standing and the character 生 represents a sprout growing in soil. 笑顔 (Waraigao) means “a smiling or laughing face.” 笑 represents bamboo and a person who is laughing, like bamboo playfully moving back and forth. 顔 represents a person’s hair and head. 種 (Tane) means “seed.” This character indicates a rice […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Peace of the world
December 3, 2020 by Leave a Comment
世 (Se) means “generations.” This character represents a trio of the character 十 or (10). 界 (Kai) means “world.” The top lines represent a rice field. The symbol in the center is a person and the bottom lines are divider lines. 平 (Hei) means “flat, calm.” The top line represents the sky and the bottom […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Human life is very precious
November 5, 2020 by Leave a Comment
人 (Nin, hito) symbolizes “a person standing.” 間 (Gen, aida) means “among or between.” 命 (Inochi) means “life.” The top of this character shows a person and the bottom represents a finger. The rectangular character represents a mouth and a person who is bending down. Together this character means a person’s life is maintained by […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Appreciate nature
October 8, 2020 by Leave a Comment
自（Shi, ji） means “me or myself.” This character indicates a nose. 然 (Zen) means nature. The left side of the top of this word indicates meat, and the right side symbolizes a wild dog. The bottom represents fire or flames. 感 (Kan) means “feeling.” The top of this character represents a fruit tree and the […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Take care of yourself
September 10, 2020 by Leave a Comment
自 (Ji) means “yourself.” This character represents a person’s nose. In Japanese culture, people point to their nose when they say “me or myself.” 分 (Bun) means “a part of.” The top part of this word represents two pieces, and below this symbolizes a knife. Together, this character shows that our life was divided from […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: Help one another
July 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
相 (Ai or so) means “each other.” The left side of this character represents a tree and the right side represents an eye. Together, your eye looks at a tree with deep care. This can also represent the deep care we have for others. 与 (Yo) means “give.” This word is a form of giving […]
THE HEART OF KANJI: The power of the immune system
June 4, 2020 by Leave a Comment
生 (Sei) means “life.” The bottom of this character indicates soil and above it is a bud or a sprout. 命 (Mei or inochi) means “life.” The top line represents a person. Beneath the person is “one.” Beneath this indicates “beating.” Collectively, the person’s heartbeat helps them to live. 力 (Ryoku, chikara) means power, which […]
The Heart of Kanji: Chikyu Ni Kansha: “Appreciate the Earth”
January 1, 2020 by Leave a Comment
地 (chi) means ”ground.” The left side indicates soil and the right side indicates a moving snake. Together, these characters represent the uneven and changeable nature of the ground and the Earth. 球 (kyu) means “round ball” and this character represents its shape. 感 (kan) means “feeling.” The top lines indicate a fruit tree, the […]
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