kanji

Yojijukugo is a Japanese idiom consisted of four kanji. Many are based on the ideas of Chinese traditions or classical texts.

In other words, you can also say that yojijukugo is a piece of art, of building up four kanji with individual meanings into one phrase with one meaning. As compared to the number of characters the information they carry is so much bigger, and because it can help smoothening communication between people who know the word yojijukugo is often used for promo words. There are even some new yojijukugo invented by copywriters.

I sometimes see non-Japanese people with yojijukugo tatoos, but there are some that makes me wonder if they really know the meaning.
So here, I will introduce you some yojijukugo that have good meanings and good appearance.

	[to fearlessly move forward]
Yuu'ou-Maishin "yuu"=brave, gallant "ou"=to go, outward "mai"=single-mindedly "shin"=to proceed "Yuu'ou" is to proceed bravely without hesitance or fear against obstacles, "Maishin" means to go on and on without turning back. Therefore this idiom as a whole describes a person who fearlessly moves forward and is not troubled by obstacles.

	[tabula rasa/ as innocent as a lamb]
Junshin-Muku "jun"=pure "shin"=truth/truly, real/really, heart "mu"=no/none "ku"=grime, dirt, stain "Junshin" describes a person who has no dirt or false in his/her heart and is pure and clean. "Muku" is originally a Buddhist term meaning to not have the bonno --- earthly desires and obsession --- thus meaning clean physically and spiritually, innocent, unsophisticated and pure. By combining two very similar terms the meaning doubles, and as a result contains a meaning of pure-minded, true-hearted person who knows no deception or suspicion. Usually used for children or for young females.

	[creativity and device]
Sou'i-Kufuu "sou"=to create something new "i"=thoughts, intention "ku"=to make something "fuu"=a person, mannish "Sou'i" literally means a fresh idea that no one in the past has come up with, and "kufuu" - although not so much literally - means to think and work out a better way or to add a twist to something. Thus the idiom means to come up with a fresh, unique idea and to add device to make it better.

	[endless succession of victories]
Rensen-Renshou "ren"=succession, continuous, series "sen"=battles, fights "ren"=succession, continuous, series "shou"=victory, to win "Rensen" is to fight one after another, and "renshou" means to win one after another. Therefore the two put together means to win every battle fought in succession. By using the same "ren" twice the idiom gains a good rhythm and enriches the meaning.

	[do what]
Fugen-Jikkou "fu"=a kanji with the meaning of denial "gen"=to say "jitsu"=in practice "kou"=to practice, to do By adding the "fu" a kanji for denial in front of "gen" a verb 'to say', "fugen" means to say nothing. "Jikkou" means to actually do something. Putting these two words together, the idiom becomes a phrase which beautifully describes one of the Japanese virtues, 'to make no complaints and do what needs to be done'.

NEXT

I'd like to continue introducing you yojijukugo with good meanings and cool appearance.
Or if you have any questions, like, "what does my tatoo really mean?", don't hesitate to give us an e-mail :-)

Of course, we still welcome those who want to have their names converted in kanji. Just e-mail to samurai@jmode.co.jp