THE HEART OF KANJI: Universal arrangement

天地 (Tenchi) means “Heaven and Earth.” The first character’s top line represents the sky and the line below represents a large person. The second character’s left side represents land and the right side represents a snake. 繰り合 (Kuriawase) means “arrangement.” The first character’s left side represents a string. The top lines of the right side […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Appreciate everything

全 (Subete) means “everything.” The top lines of this character represent a mountain and the lines below represent a round marble. Together, it symbolizes a completely polished marble. 礼 (Rei) means “to bow with deep appreciation.” The left side represents a divine altar and the right side represents a person who is bowing with deep […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Have the courage to grow older

老 (Oiru) means “to be old.” This character represents an old person holding a stick. 勇気 (Yuki) means “courage.” The first character’s top strokes indicate a nail and wood and the portion below indicates a bicep muscle. The second character’s top lines represent a person exhaling and the lines below represent steaming rice. Awhile back, […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Appreciating whatever comes our way

何事 (Nanigoto) means “whatever.” The first character’s left side represents a person and the right side represents carrying something. The second character’s bottom lines represent a hand and the top lines represent a fortune teller’s cup. The fortune teller predicts many fortunes using this cup. 礼 (Rei) means “bow.” The left side indicates an altar […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Life is full of turmoil

波乱 (Haran) means “turmoil.” The left side of the first character represents water and the right side represents wrinkled leather. The second character’s left section represents a pin cushion and the right side symbolizes a tangled thread. 満 (Michi) means “full.” The right side of this character represents a container full of sake. 人生 (Jinsei) […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Live in the moment, live in the now

今 (Ima) means “now.” The top lines of this character represent a gathering of people and the bottom line symbolizes the continuation of this gathering. 一 (Ichi) means “one.” This character indicates one finger. 瞬 (Shun) means “a moment.” The left side of this character represents an eye. The top left side represents flames and […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: The power of sensitivity and insensitivity

敏感 (Binkan) means “sensitive.” The left side of the first character represents a woman with long hair, and the right side indicates a hand. The hand is gently taking care of the woman’s hair. The second character’s top lines represent a fruit tree and the portion below indicates a mouth and heart. 力 (Ryoku) means […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Appreciate all the functions of our body

身体 (Shintai) means “body.” The first character represents a pregnant woman. The left side of the second character represents a person, and the right side represents a tree with roots. 働 (Hataraki) means “function or work.” The right side represents a person, the middle section represents heavy items and the right side indicates power. 礼 […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Our lives are borrowed from the universe

命 (Inochi) means “life.” The top lines represent a person and the lines below 叩 symbolize “beat.” All together, our human life is sustained by the beating of one’s heart. 天 (Ten) means ”heaven.” The top line represents the sky and the strokes below represent a big person. 地 (Chi) means “Earth.” The left side […]

THE HEART OF KANJI: Live life with no regrets

後悔 (Koukai) means “regret.” The first character’s left side represents “moving forward,” and the right side shows a string tied to a foot. Together, it symbolizes not being able to move forward because we are pulled back by the string. The second character represents a heart on the left side and “life” and “mother” on […]