When my grandsons were born, our son asked if their great grandmother could write their names in kanji (Chinese characters). I thought it would be great if Mom could write it in sumi (ink) calligraphy. I didn't realize just how hard that would be.
Mom's Japanese handwriting is elegant and beautifully formed when writing with a ballpoint pen. Writing with a calligraphy brush is a whole 'nother' ballgame.
It took us many, many tries before she was able to create beautiful kanjis for her grandsons.
It occurred to me then that our granddaughter might like her great grandmother to write her name as well. I wanted to treat our grandchildren equally so I asked Tif to ask KC if she'd like her name done in Japanese. I figured just her first name in simple katakana (Japanese alphabet) would be easy for mom to write.
But no.... KC didn't want her name. She wanted a special word. I thought Peace (heiwa) would be nice. I also knew the characters wouldn't be horrendously difficult for mom to write.
But no, that didn't quite interest 11 year old, KC. She wanted Happiness (koufuku).
This was a little trickier. I had to find the right size brush first. Then I needed to create the ink by grinding the sumi stick on the inkstone.
At first mom said I wasn't making dark enough ink. Then she had difficulty centering the kanji. We used a lot of practice paper and a lot of good paper until she was more or less satisfied.
I tried doing it too and discovered just how difficult it was. She says that at 88 her hands are not steady enough to do this.
Whatever the case, KC says she loves it and we'll be sure to put a nice mat and frame on it for her. The main thing is everybody is Happy!
Mom's Japanese handwriting is elegant and beautifully formed when writing with a ballpoint pen. Writing with a calligraphy brush is a whole 'nother' ballgame.
It took us many, many tries before she was able to create beautiful kanjis for her grandsons.
It occurred to me then that our granddaughter might like her great grandmother to write her name as well. I wanted to treat our grandchildren equally so I asked Tif to ask KC if she'd like her name done in Japanese. I figured just her first name in simple katakana (Japanese alphabet) would be easy for mom to write.
But no, that didn't quite interest 11 year old, KC. She wanted Happiness (koufuku).
This was a little trickier. I had to find the right size brush first. Then I needed to create the ink by grinding the sumi stick on the inkstone.
At first mom said I wasn't making dark enough ink. Then she had difficulty centering the kanji. We used a lot of practice paper and a lot of good paper until she was more or less satisfied.
I tried doing it too and discovered just how difficult it was. She says that at 88 her hands are not steady enough to do this.
Whatever the case, KC says she loves it and we'll be sure to put a nice mat and frame on it for her. The main thing is everybody is Happy!
they are beautiful! Keep sakes!
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful for your mom to go to all that trouble and work. My handwriting has suffered since I turned 82. My hands are arthritic. They are sore sometimes and I no longer have nice neat handwriting. But at least they don't shake...yet.
ReplyDeleteIn Japanese mine name is spelled アダム (Adamu)
ReplyDeletein Chinese it's apparently 亞當 (Yadang)
I certainly prefer the Japanese version.
Good for you mama. At least she is willing to do the best she can and the treasures for family will always be cherished.
ReplyDeleteI love mom. She's a trouper.
ReplyDeletewhat a lovely tradition...are you going to do this for your great grands? lol...
ReplyDeleteThis is truly beautiful! What a special gift for her great grandchildren. Your mother is so skilled and so ready to do her best!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you are going to have to learn this skill. :) These are just lovely.
ReplyDeletePS: I hope you all are not getting too wet in the downpours.
ReplyDeleteOh, THAT'S how you make the ink. I have a set someone gave me five years ago, and I didn't know what those hard items were except they had something to do with ink. Is the ink a dry powder when finished grinding? And then do you wet the brush (I have four) or have a small bowl of water or what? I took Chinese Brush Painting at the Honolulu Museum of Art and the ink in a painting is not supposed to be uniformly dark. There are gradations because you are making pictures. It's all based on traditional calligraphy. Probably calligraphy is different and the ink should all be the same color as with printing in a book.
ReplyDeleteI always try to be fair when dealing with my three grandchildren. It's the best policy. One of them lived with me for a year. We got along like peanut butter and jelly. Things will be knocked out of whack this summer, as another is getting married and all attention will be on her. She asked me to officiate, so now I am a Universal Life Minister.
This is wonderful stuff and reflects the Japanese culture of focus on perfection. These children will treasure this effort.
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful and perfect I think.
ReplyDeleteYou've found something very important that will help maintain part of the culture. You learned something too.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, that's a lot of practice and patience! But the result is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteSimply wonderful! Makes me happy, too. :-)
ReplyDeleteGloriously beautiful! I'm sure their keepsakes will mean even more 50 years from now. I remember seeing her writing in your travel album. If she does better with ink pen, maybe she can write a letter to each great grand for now, or when they turn 18 or 21. (With the translation under each line or on the back.) Or even dry-press an orchid from her garden for each child.
ReplyDeleteI still re-read letters people sent me over the years, especially the rare notes from my Dad.
She is such an amazing lady! Linda in Kansas
Beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThat will be a family treasure. Fantastic!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and thoughtful gift to give grand and great-grandchildren. And I am sure your mom was thrilled to take on the project. I see she is a bit of a perfectionist. They all looked good to me, but then I don't have a trained eye.
ReplyDeleteThat will be treasure for a very long time. We still have a piece of embroidery framed and hanging from my grandmother. I don't know exactly how old it is, but I think it's probably 100 years or more.
ReplyDeleteAunty never fails to amaze me. More meaningful because they were created with love. Holly
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful. You could sell any of them as posters! Your mom is a peach!
ReplyDelete