21–30 of 53 posts
The image caption is interesting: as a right-handed person myself, it had never occurred to me that handedness would matter so much in shodō. I wonder if Western calligraphy is this way too (maybe to a lesser degree, given that stroke order isn’t as crucial)?
I'm going with 多角経営 (takaku keiei) A four-character phrase (yojijukugo) literally translating to “managing multiple facets.” It carries a similar notion to “Portfolio Approach,” implying strategic diversification rather than a lack of focus.
I usually take the opposite approach. My resolutions are usually a lot smaller, and their theme more practical. I don’t intend to stick with them all year, but I fully intend to make significant progress within a month, and thus set the course for the year.
Some examples from this year: improve my German, cook Indian food, travel with friends. For each of them I have already made a list of actionable first steps, and I have taken many of those steps.
I find a general theme to be both too broad and too narrow. I want many small things, not one big thing.
I just spent the new year in Japan in a temple, and the way they do it compared to my country makes much more sense. They just wait until midnight to hear the bell 108 times, go to the temple pray and then wake up to see first sunrise, instead of watching the fireworks and partying all night.
Few more fun facts: Elementary school students all write kakizome at the end of December. Within the school, each grade will write the exact same thing. They're hung in the halls for all to see. Hundreds of the exact same kakizome. Many people burn their kakizome mid-January during "Dondoyaki." The posture, attention and care taken while writing Kakizome is one of the important points. Those, and the outcome of the c…
お金 : okane : money
金曜日 : kinyoubi : Friday (shortened to 金 on some calendars, kind of like how we do “Fri” sometimes in English)
金子 : kaneko : gold coin
金魚 : kingyo : goldfish
I just spent the new year in Japan in a temple, and the way they do it compared to my country makes much more sense. They just wait until midnight to hear the bell 108 times, go to the temple pray and then wake up to see first sunrise, instead of watching the fireworks and partying all night.
I live in Japan and I find the Japanese new year celebration or it's lack thereof absolutely depressing, but to each their own.
I also used to go see fireworks in Taiwan but it is usually like this -> wait for fireworks -> 10 minutes fireworks —> have some fun (hopefully) -> get stuck in traffic/public transportation.
My home country is more lively but it ends up being similar, except people get way drunker.
Few more fun facts: Elementary school students all write kakizome at the end of December. Within the school, each grade will write the exact same thing. They're hung in the halls for all to see. Hundreds of the exact same kakizome. Many people burn their kakizome mid-January during "Dondoyaki." The posture, attention and care taken while writing Kakizome is one of the important points. Those, and the outcome of the c…