From Shimanto with Heart: The Story Behind My Kanji Journey

Introduction

Hello, and thank you for visiting my blog.

My name is takumi.

I was born and raised in Japan, and today I live in Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture—a beautiful rural town famous for its crystal-clear river and peaceful lifestyle.

Here, I run Kanji Japanese Studio, where I create kanji-inspired artwork for people all over the world.

But my journey is about more than just art; it’s about discovering the true depth of our culture and sharing its heart with you.

My Journey with Kanji: From School Lessons to Cultural Mirrors

Like every Japanese child, I started learning kanji at an early age.

At first, they were just school lessons: characters to memorize, tests to pass.

But as I grew older, I began to realize that kanji were far more than “letters.”

Each character carries a story.

Some were born from nature, others from human emotions, and many reflect the way our ancestors saw the world.

I learned that kanji are not just a writing system—they are a mirror of Japanese culture, philosophy, and our very way of feeling.

The Spark for This Blog: When Art Wasn’t Enough

This passion led me to start Kanji Japanese Studio.

I wanted people to enjoy not only the visual beauty of the characters but also their English meanings and Japanese readings.

However, as I created art, I faced a challenge: a single piece of art could not capture the full richness of a character.

Kanji often have multiple readings and multiple meanings.

I could only show one aspect. That’s when I thought—what if someone overseas learned only one reading from my art, and later used a different one incorrectly?

The last thing I wanted was for anyone to feel embarrassed or confused.

So I asked myself: “Why not write more detailed explanations in a blog?”

That’s how this blog was born.

It’s a place where I can share the full stories, the multiple readings, and the cultural background that don’t always fit into a piece of art.

Why Shimanto?The Spirit of This Place

You might wonder: why Shimanto? It’s a small place, far from the big cities of Tokyo or Osaka.

But here, surrounded by nature and the flow of the Shimanto River, I find my inspiration.

The simplicity of rural Japan reminds me of concepts like wabi (侘) and wa (和)—values of harmony, imperfection, and peace that live inside the kanji themselves.

In this environment, I can connect more deeply with the spirit of the characters I share.

What You’ll Find Here

My goal for this blog is to be your guide into the deeper world of kanji.

Here, you will find: The origins of kanji characters, from ancient pictographs to modern forms.

The multiple readings and cultural meanings hidden in each character.

Guidance to help you understand the nuances, so you can use kanji correctly and with confidence.

Stories from Japanese art, literature, and daily life that bring the characters alive.

My personal reflections on how these characters shape the way we think and live.

A Message to You

My ultimate hope is that, through this blog, you don’t just learn kanji—you feel them.

Kanji are not only beautiful symbols; they are living stories that connect language, history, and culture.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.

Let’s explore the heart of kanji together.

To start, I’d love to know: is there a kanji that you find particularly beautiful or mysterious?

Please share it in the comments below!