This is the very first task that my first calligraphy teacher, the late Mr. Akiyama Kodo (秋山公道) gave me about 57 years ago.

Unfortunately, I can’t think of anything else when someone comes to me and asks me to teach them basic calligraphy and I always give my new students this same task in the first lesson.  I asked my senior calligrapher how I could teach the beginners differently, and her answer was, “That’s only natural and it can’t be helped.  People can teach only how they were taught, after all.”

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Recently, I was very happy to meet my old friend again after quite a long period. I put her name in a haiku to show my happiness.

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旧い友情が復活したので嬉しくて俳句にしました。彼女の名前を織り込んでいます、というだけのことですが。

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Although I have been telling the world that I love ancient letters, they are just difficult as a task in a practice session. It seems to be a one-sided love for me.

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古代文字が大好きと公言してきましたが、実際にお稽古の課題になると難しいです。片想いです。

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This is a passage from a poem by Bai Juyi.  I learned it roughly meant what the use of fighting in a narrow space like a tip of a snail’s horn was.  It must be the best, of course, if you get that kind of detachment.

Incidentally, I did this one with my left hand.

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白居易の詩の一節です。カタツムリの角の先のような狭いところで争ってどうするんだ？　というような意味らしいですが、そんなに達観できればそれはいいですけどね。

ついでながら、左手で書きました。

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I was given a written oracle of “Excellent luck” here before.  Maybe this shrine is a little indulgent with me.

Cherry blossoms/

Lots and lots of them/

Blooming out/

Breeze leisurely and softly blowing/

How the garden appears/

Translation and calligraphy by Tomoko

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ここでは、先日も『大吉』を授かりました。このお宮さんは私にちょっと甘いかもしれません。

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As the birthday of my valued friend for many years is drawing close, I wrote this instead of a common type of a birthday card.  Wishing for lots of future pleasures, I celebrate her birthday with one modern letter 楽meaning pleasure or fun and four of my favorite ancient letters of 楽.

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長年の大切な友人の誕生日が近いので、普通の誕生日カード代わりを書きました。楽しいことがこれからもたくさんあることを願って、現代の字の「楽」が一つ。大好きな古代文字の「楽」が四つ。

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I took this shot with a CD for comparison, that is, it is a pretty small piece.  However, I like both letters and what is more, combining them makes a cute phrase which I also love.

“Flower smiles” means “Flower blooms”.

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比較のためにC Dとともに写しています。つまり、小さな作品なのですが、二つとも好きな字なんです。更に、素敵な意味になります。

花が笑うは、花が咲く。

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