This is how things have been prepared and arranged.

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I am now looking forward to being the one of the main characters in this fun event.

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The photo shows my latest works on postcards.

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I tried again combination of ancient forms of Chinese characters and those used today, which has always been my favorite.

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I wish these small pieces would work to spread this art and culture to the world.

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I very much wish to see these unpretending works of arts affixed on the doors of refrigerators, on the walls of kitchens or living rooms in many homes in the world.

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Today marks the first day of the summer season according to the old calendar.

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The kana (Japanese alphabet) piece is a haiku.

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I hope this new season will give us energy.

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Transparent is/

The first star of the evening/

Summer begins/

Translation and calligraphy by Chio

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“A caterpillar changes into a butterfly.”

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Ordinarily, it should be the most exciting, delightful season.  However, it has never been like that this year.

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I learned the phrase means what is happening above somewhat coincides with what is happening on the ground.

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一心万花 (one heart, ten thousand flowers) has been my favorite motif for my calligraphy for long.  However, I now am certain this new phrase will be another favorite one for me.

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As today falls on Jingzhe, one of the solar terms, which is designated as the day of awakening of the hibernating insects, I searched and found this poem of springtime.

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Following is its rough meaning:

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“Spring breeze would not blow away my melancholy.  Longer spring days only deepen the grief in my heart.”

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As for its style, I followed an orthodox way of layout.

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According to the old lunar calendar, yesterday marked the beginning of spring.

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“Start” “Spring” “Excellent” “Fortune”

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This phrase is a kind of a motto of that day and has been believed to work as a charm to drive away evils and bring in happiness.  I have once heard that people in ancient times sensed something auspicious because all the letters are bilaterally symmetrical.

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For copying practice, I picked four characters from a book of collection of various letters written by my first teacher, the late Mr. Akiyama Kodo (秋山公道).  That book was compiled in a dictionary format by my senior calligrapher at his school.

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