一期一会 – ichigo ichie: one time, one meeting
Read ichi-go ichi-e. 一期 (ichigo) means a whole lifetime and 一会 (ichie) means one meeting, so the phrase says: this meeting happens once in a lifetime.
It comes from the Japanese tea ceremony. Tea masters taught that every gathering should be hosted as if it would never come again, because even with the same guests it never will. Today people use it for any moment worth treasuring – a trip, a reunion, a first meeting.
Ichigo Ichie T-Shirt
The four kanji for ichigo ichie – one time, one meeting – with a branch of cherry blossoms. A reminder to treasure every moment with the people you love. Soft Softstyle cotton in 11 colors, sizes S–3XL.
VIEW THIS TEE →明鏡止水 – meikyo shisui: a clear mirror, still water
Read mei-kyō shi-sui. 明鏡 is a polished, clear mirror and 止水 is still water – both reflect things exactly as they are.
The images go back to the ancient Chinese classic Zhuangzi. In Japanese the phrase describes a calm, clear mind that no worry clouds – the state you hope for before something important.
Meikyo Shisui T-Shirt
The four kanji for meikyo shisui – a clear mirror, still water – under a golden full moon, with its light shimmering on the water. For anyone looking for a quieter mind. Soft Softstyle cotton in 10 colors, sizes S–3XL.
VIEW THIS TEE →心 – kokoro: heart and mind
心 (kokoro) is one of the first kanji learners meet. It means heart, but also mind and spirit: in Japanese, what you feel and what you think live in the same word.
On our Zen Enso tee it sits inside an enso, the circle drawn in a single brush stroke in Zen practice.
Zen Enso Peace T-Shirt
The kanji for kokoro – heart and mind – brushed inside a Zen circle drawn in one stroke. A quiet gift for yoga and meditation people. Soft Softstyle cotton in 9 colors, sizes S–3XL.
VIEW THIS TEE →悠久 – yukyu: eternal, timeless
Read yū-kyū. 悠 suggests something distant and unhurried, and 久 means a long time. Together they describe what has lasted for ages: Japanese speaks of 悠久の歴史, a history of ages.
It suits an old pagoda. Some of Japan’s wooden temples have stood through more than a thousand years of seasons.
Japanese Temple T-Shirt
A five-story pagoda and a temple hall among pines and a stone lantern, under the brushed kanji for yukyu – eternal, timeless. For the friend who plans the trip around old temples. Soft Softstyle cotton in 7 colors, sizes S–3XL.
VIEW THIS TEE →桜 – sakura: cherry blossom
桜 (sakura) is the cherry blossom. Every spring people gather under the trees for hanami, flower viewing, and the blossoms fall within about a week – which is why sakura stands for beauty that does not last.
Cherry Blossom T-Shirt
Sakura branches, the kanji for sakura and a spring landscape, for the few weeks a year when everything blooms. Soft Softstyle cotton in 11 colors, sizes XS–5XL.
VIEW THIS TEE →Before you wear kanji
Every Japanese speaker who sees your shirt will read it, so the words matter. Each phrase on our tees is a real Japanese expression, chosen by our shop in Japan, so it reads naturally to the people who can read it.