How to read it
明鏡止水 is read mei-kyō shi-sui. In English it is usually written meikyo shisui.
What the characters mean
明 (mei) is bright or clear and 鏡 (kyō) is a mirror, so 明鏡 is a polished mirror. 止 (shi) means to stop and 水 (sui) is water, so 止水 is still water. Both reflect things exactly as they are.
Where it comes from
Both images come from the Zhuangzi, an ancient Chinese classic of Taoist thought. It says that people look for their reflection not in running water but in still water, and that a clear mirror gathers no dust. Japanese joined the two images into one four-kanji phrase.
How people use it today
In Japanese, meikyo shisui describes the state you hope to be in before something important – an exam, a match, a hard conversation: calm, focused and free of distraction. It is also a well-loved phrase in martial arts and calligraphy.
Wear it
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 →