[For Seniors] Recommended for Kakizome! Introducing Popular Four-Character Idioms and Their Meanings
For New Year celebrations, there has long been a tradition of writing auspicious four-character idioms (yojijukugo) as the first calligraphy of the year.
Doing kakizome together with older adults not only offers the simple joy of moving one’s hands, but also creates special moments to discuss the meanings and origins imbued in the characters.
We have gathered heartwarming idioms such as “笑門来福” (When laughter is at the gate, good fortune comes) and those associated with older adults, like “鶴寿千歳” (a crane’s thousand-year longevity) and “黄花晩節” (the late-blooming chrysanthemum; dignified virtue in one’s later years).
Savor the feel of the brush, the scent of the ink, and the quiet flow of time as you guide the strokes, writing each character carefully and with sincerity.
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[For Seniors] Recommended for Kakizome! Introducing Popular Four-Character Idioms and Their Meanings (41–50)
Clear mind across a vast distance
@yoji_jukuko Four-character idiomTranslationtranslationA clear sky stretching for ten thousand milesThis is a revised thumbnail for a past video.
♬ Escort – MoppySound
It is a phrase that expresses never losing sight of the aspiration or goal you should ultimately pursue, no matter how distant or arduous the path may be.
It carries the meaning: “Even if one walks a road of ten thousand li, the heart leads to a single sky.” Life brings many hardships, but if you hold an unwavering goal in your heart, you can move forward without hesitation.
For older adults as well, maintaining one’s aspirations in the face of age-related limitations and changing circumstances becomes a great source of strength.
This four-character idiom serves as a steadfast guide, giving the courage to look toward the distant future and keep progressing.
Carry out one’s original intention to the end
@az0202za #StickToYourOriginalIntentions #Shoshikantetsu #FourCharacterIdiom #Learning
♬ Original Song – 0202civo – az0202za
As the saying goes, “Never forget your original intention,” we should always hold on to the earnestness and humility we had when we first began anything.
The four-character idiom shoshi kantetsu (初志貫徹) emphasizes the importance of carrying through the initial resolve you made when you set your goal.
On the long road to achieving a goal, we inevitably face difficulties and moments of doubt.
At times, we may even experience setbacks so great that our spirits feel close to breaking.
In such moments, remember your original resolve and rouse yourself with the determination to see it through no matter what.
to wear down an iron inkstone through diligent study
@ayonglab Four-character idiom: “mash through an iron inkstone” (Masan Tekkentsu) — knowledge, famous sayings, words that resonate with the heart, idioms, exam study, Japanese
♪ Original Song – ayonglab – ayonglab
It is a phrase that conveys a steadfast commitment to learning and perseverance, literally meaning “to work so hard that even an inkstone made of iron wears down.” It expresses the power of persistence required to achieve results that cannot be gained overnight.
The experience and knowledge accumulated over a long life are the crystallization of small daily efforts, and it is precisely when we face difficulties that this strength shows its true worth.
For older adults as well, an unwavering attitude of continual effort in daily life and health management can be a great support.
It is a timeless saying that teaches us that the power of perseverance opens the path of life.
indomitable; unyielding; untiring perseverance
This phrase, which means facing any hardship without yielding and without giving up, conveys a sense of strong conviction and firm resolve.
Many of you may have heard it in speeches by athletes and politicians.
For example: “Results have been slow and it’s been one trial after another, but I want to tackle this with an unyielding, indomitable resolve,” or “Thanks to persevering with an indomitable spirit, I achieved my goal.” Older adults, who have had many experiences over their long lives, likely have numerous success stories of indomitable perseverance.
Why not invite them to share nostalgic memories along with some of those episodes?
Unyielding perseverance
It is a word that means to “hold firm with patience, remain unmoved by any hardship, and keep an unshakable spirit,” believing that a path will open and never giving up.
When faced with difficulties or trials, giving up is the end, but if you continue to endure, a way forward will surely appear.
For older adults as well, worries in daily life and health are unavoidable, yet perseverance is precisely the strength that sustains life.
By rediscovering the patience cultivated through a long life of experience, one can gain the courage to face challenges ahead.
This four-character idiom is a proud expression that shows the strength to carve out the future with unwavering will.
Design misery; a devastated state of design (ishō-santan)
It is a phrase that means “to think deeply and, though it may be difficult, devise creative ways” rather than taking the easy route in order to accomplish things.
It expresses an attitude of persevering through hardship while applying ingenuity.
For older adults as well, having faced numerous challenges and engaged in repeated trial and error throughout life is a great asset.
When confronting everyday tasks or health concerns, they can overcome them with wisdom and resourcefulness.
This phrase affirms the value of hardship and teaches that maintaining effort will surely open the way to the future—a memorable and encouraging message.
single-minded devotion
@yojijyukugo.seizan translationworking adultTranslationstudy
♬ Original Song – Sacred Mountain – Four-character idiom / Sacred Mountain
Ichiisenshin, an expression that means focusing your mind on a single goal or matter and devoting yourself to it with enthusiasm, emphasizes the importance of working diligently to achieve your aims.
Both ichi’i and senshin mean concentrating your mind on one thing and striving without letting your attention drift to anything else.
Combining two words with the same meaning gives the phrase stronger emphasis.
For example: “Let’s tackle the issue with single-minded devotion,” or “Without a single-minded attitude, you can’t achieve your goals.” Why not try incorporating it into your daily conversations?