「結」(yui • musubi) -　the knot / to connect / to tie

Welcome 2019, Happy New Year!

After surviving through sickness until the New Year’s Eve, finally I can hold my brush again and I feel refreshed and energized for this year ahead. We had a annual New Year’s Calligraphy “Kakizome” workshop yesterday, with lovely families and some new faces – thank you all for those who attended! Inspired by the positive energies around us, I’ve written my own Kakizome, “結” (the knot / to connect / to tie) with all my warm thoughts for the year.

“糸” (thread) combined with “吉” (auspiciousness, good fortune) makes the kanji character of “結”. Traditionally, “吉” symbolizes a shape of vessel (口) to place a ritual prayer with an battle axe (士) on top to protect the power of the wishes. Together with 糸, “結” means to make your wish come true and protect the auspiciousness by making a strong knot. Later on, the character also come to have meanings such as “to connect” two threads, “to tie” a knot or “to promise”, and “to strengthen” your wishes or determination.

In the past year, with my motto for the year “織”, I’ve been weaving an unique pattern with countless meaningful encounters around the world. My wish for this year is to “結”; to tie the ends of the threads, to memorize each moment more firmer than ever – and to cherish my time with my family, friends and loved ones. It’s my utmost happiness to share the joy and seeing smiles through calligraphy art. I hope that this circle of happiness will grow along with the number of knots we make as we embrace every encounter, every goal we aim and achieve together.

Wishing you all good health, happiness and success in the coming year!

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2019年明けましておめでとうございます。風邪に倒れ、大晦日まで全く筆を持つことの出来なかった年末が明け、元日から何か清々しく、心晴れやかなここ三が日を過ごしています。昨日は早速、毎年恒例の書き初めワークショップを開催！元気一杯のご家族のみなさんに参加いただいて、とっても楽しいセッションとなり、新年に向けて新たな抱負も明確となりました。今年一年への想いは「結」の一字に込め、私も新年の一筆。

これまで、一糸一糸「織」ってきた鮮やかな模様。今年はその一糸一端をしっかりと「結」んでいく一年にしたい。家族との絆、大切な人たちとの絆を温めながら、自分自身とゆっくり向き合って、幸せな筆の軌跡を共有していきたいと思っています。書道を通して沢山の人々、沢山の笑顔と触れ合える喜びが、私の何よりの幸福です。ひとつひとつの決意や出逢いの結び目ごとに、少しずつ広がっていくこの幸福の「結」の輪が、一緒に結んだあなたにも、幸せをもたらしてくれますようにと、祈りを込めて。

相変わらずな私ですが、本年もどうぞ宜しくお願い申し上げます。