Long Time Expat In Japan
As I learn more shodo I find I understand not only the art of the lettering, but also the poetry. Truth be told, I don't really concentrate on the meaning of the words as I'm writing; I focus on the lines and the composition. But lately, the poems themselves are hitting me in the heart … Continue reading Shodo – Test up Kana
Been in Japan long enough to be able to read quite a bit now. But English still has a more direct line into my brain. I see the meaning without having to process the words. With Japanese, I have to concentrate, go from top level words to lower level meaning. So if I see a … Continue reading Japan is Awesome – Translations
If you every thought that Nancy Reagan's campaign in the 80's to Just Say no to drugs was at best a joke, welcome to Japan. Below is a poster that shows you the best technique for refusing drugs. I kid you not, eat udon noodles instead. Because "If you feel like smoking, you should slurp … Continue reading Just Say Yes to Udon Noodles, and No to Drugs
Cherry blossoms peak like Olympic gymnasts, young and fast. It's over before you know the best of it was last weekend. This week the petals are falling like snow, replaced with a new green that's almost yellow. And I stop wondering why the aesthetic of Japanese poetry is sad and ephemeral.
Kanji this month was tough. I had a trouble looking up the following on the internet. 妍因俗易 I could be way off, but my best guess of a direct translation is: beauty changes with custom or, in more modern terms beauty is in the eye of the beholder (maybe?) Kana is another waka. あしはやに、くる春ならむ、雲竜の、やなぎ一度に、ふくれきにけり ashi … Continue reading Beauty in the Eye
Kanji is deep. Okay, all Shodo and Japanese language is deep. And it comes from Chinese, so Chinese is deep. All language is deep. What I'm trying to say is that this months kanji took me down a rabbit hole. The words are literally "one step thousand gold." There's got to be a good fortune … Continue reading Brushes
I was on the train the other day, heading back from Odawara to Tokyo. It's not too far, just long enough to drink two Chu-Hi, eat some cheese-tara and watch the rice fields and mountains transform into concrete and steel. After the second chu-hi I need a bio-break. I head out to the men's room, … Continue reading Swallow Service
I haven't been away from the brushes, to be honest. I just haven't posted about it. I still go every Saturday (except Xmas and New Years was damned busy at work). All the kanji I write seems to contain a lot of wisdom, so I figured I'd share. Below is my kanji for December. It … Continue reading Back to the Brushes
When I reached 1st dan in calligraphy earlier this year, I needed to submit two works. One was freehand. The other was a copy. The following is what I needed to copy.And here is my copy. I should have let the ink dry up a bit more, but I think that the shape of the … Continue reading Two Waka
I started Shodo four years ago as a way to help my youngest on her kanji tests in school, never with the intention of pursuing it seriously. Something about how my Sensei teaches, and the regularity of studying together every week changed my attitude. Below is my official certificate that I reached shodan, first dan … Continue reading Shodan
B.S. Donovan 