The Spirit of Patience – 忍

Thank you for joining our Japanese calligraphy experience the other day. It was a true pleasure to welcome you to our peaceful, traditional tatami room in Ikenoue, just 5 minutes from Shibuya station by a local train.

A kanji chosen was「忍」, which means “patience”, “endurance”, or “perseverance.” This character is composed of two parts — “blade” (刃) and “heart” (心) — it seems to symbolize bearing hardship with a calm and strong heart.

In Japanese culture, particularly among once-existed-samurai, patience has been highly valued in their life. The same kanji is also used in the word “ninja”, reflecting their personalities; stay hidden, silence, and endure.

In a digital world where handwriting is rare, taking time to form this character slowly by hand can be a meditative and meaningful experience.

We were so happy to share this special moment with you. We look forward to welcoming you again soon!