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1. Aiki-Jutsu
2. Aikikai
4. Appreciation of Truth by Meditation
7. Black Flag Gate / Hek Ki Boen
11. Che Guevara
12. Chito-Ryu
14. Chung Do Kwan
16. Dogen
19. Eagle Claw Overturning Fist
20. Eishin-Ryu
22. Five Elements Tai Chi Fist
23. Five Families / Tsoi Li Hoi Fut Hung
24. Gate
25. Goju Ryu
27. Goshin-Do
28. Kenpo / Kempo / Quan Fa / Chuan Fa
29. Kodokan
30. Kodokan Aikido
31. Kodokan Judo
32. Kyokushinkai
34. Loyalty
36. Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do
37. Mi Guk Kwan
38. Monkey Fist
39. Nippon Karate-Do Genbu-Kai
41. Enthusiasm / Passion for a Cause
42. Pure Land / Jodo
44. Respect
46. Ritsu
47. Ronin / Masterless Samurai
48. Rugby
51. Senpai / The Elder or Master
52. Shaolin Chuan / Shao Lin Quan
53. Shito-Ryu Ki-Me-Kan Karate-Do
54. Shorin Ji Ryu
55. Shorin-Ryu
56. Shoshin-Ryu
57. Shotokan-Ryu
60. Spiritual Peace / Enlightened Peace
61. Student
62. Tantui
63. Shin Buddhism
65. Uechi-Ryu
66. Wing Chun Fist
68. Zen Buddhism
69. Bodhidharma
70. Shidoshi
71. Kanzen Goju-Ryu
73. Sandokai
74. Shudokan
75. Shinto Muso-Ryu
76. Koryu Bujutsu
77. Goshin-Kai
78. Kobukan
81. Chidokan
82. Shinden Fudo Ryu
83. Kenshin-Kan
合気会 or “Aikikai” is the original school of Aikido.
Several organizations use this title. The first was established in Japan in 1940 (The Aikikai Foundation or 財団法人合気会).
The only difference between this title and Aikido is the last character, “kai” which means club, group, fraternity, organization, or assembly.
Note: 合気会 may be romanized with a dash like this: Aiki-Kai.
The condition of perfect meditation
安住不動 means at peace and immovable.
The first two Kanji mean being content with one's present position or well-composed.
The last two Kanji mean immobile, firmness, fixed, and/or motionless.
In the Zen school, this is being well-composed and immovable - the ideal state of Zen meditation.
心印 is a Buddhist concept that simply stated is “appreciation of truth by meditation.”
It's a deep subject, but my understanding is that you can find truth through meditation, and once you've found the truth, you can learn to appreciate it more through further meditation. This title is not commonly used outside of the Buddhist community (your Asian friends may or may not understand it). The literal translation would be something like “the mind seal,” I've seen this term translated this way from Japanese Buddhist poetry. But apparently, the seal that is stamped deep in your mind is the truth. You just have to meditate to find it.
Soothill defines it this way: Mental impression, intuitive certainty; the mind is the Buddha-mind in all, which can seal or assure the truth; the term indicates the intuitive method of the Chan (Zen) school, which was independent of the spoken or written word.
Reference: Soothill-Hodous Dictionary of Chinese Buddhism
See Also: Zen
Bai Ying Pai
The school of hard knocks
挨一拳得一招挨十拳變諸葛 is a Chinese proverb that literally translates as: Receive one blow, [and one] learns a lesson; Receive ten blows, [and one] becomes a great Zhuge [Liang].
You must first understand that a man named Zhuge Liang was one of the great strategists and philosophers in Chinese history. He's known as a man of great wisdom.
Figuratively, this phrase means:
One can learn much from failure or “hard knocks.”
God of Military Arts
武神 is the title for Bushin, or “God of Military Arts.”
This can also be translated as “Martial Spirit.”
This title is often associated with Bujinkan, a school/style of martial arts. In that context, this can be pronounced Bujin.
In some cases, pronounced/romanized as Bukami, especially when used as a surname in Japan.
Latin American / Cuban Revolutionary
切格瓦拉 is the name “Che Guevara,” as written (transliterated) in Mandarin Chinese.
Once revered by Chinese people as a Socialist rebel, he's now just a historical figure that school children briefly learn about in China.
切格瓦拉 is because China used to be a truly-Communist/Socialist nation, and thus, other Communists and Socialists were heroes.
In modern China, with its free-market economy, those former heroes fade a little.
We are not offering the “Che” character alone, as few would associate it with Che Guevara, so you need the full name to be clear (minus Ernesto, which is his real first name).
千唐流 (Chitō-Ryū, Chito-Ryu, or Chitoryu) is a style of karate founded by Tsuyoshi Chitose.
Here's the meaning of each character of the title:
千 = 1000
唐 = China (literally Tang, as in Tang Dynasty).
流 = Style or School.
Together, Chito-Ryu means “1,000 [year old] Chinese style.”
I will leave it up to you whether this is of Japanese or Okinawan style. The title certainly suggests roots traced back to China.
Want a giclee print Chito-Ryu logo?
Chito-Ryu on Dragon Cloud Paper
Chito-Ryu on Grass Fiber Paper
戳腳 is the title for Choujiao, Chuōjiǎo, or Chou Jiao.
This means poking or stabbing foot. This is a Chinese martial art that falls under the Northern School.
There are many jumps, kicks, and lightning-fist actions in this style.
You'll find Chou Jiao practiced in Liaoning Province, Hebei Province, and Beijing.
靑濤館 is the Korean martial arts style, Chung Do Kwan, meaning “Blue Wave School.”
If you want this in modern Korean Hangul characters, click on the Hangul next to the Korean flag above instead of the button above.
Also Romanized as “Cheong Do Gwan” or “Ch'ŏng Do Kwan.”
School of Japanese Martial Arts
大東流合気柔術 is Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, a Japanese martial art established by Takeda Sōkaku.
The most famous student of Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu is Morihei Ueshiba who later founded the school or branch of martial arts known as Aikido.
Note: 大東流合気柔術 can also be romanized as Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, Daitou-Ryuu Aiki-Juujutsu or Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu.
Usually, when people are looking for 道元 or “Dogen,” they are referring to the Japanese Zen monk by this name.
He lived from 1200-1253. This Dogen name or title literally means “The Way Origin” or “Beginning of the Path.” It is understood to mean “beginning of right doctrine or faith” in the context of his name and work to establish the Sōtō school of Zen in Japan.
To accomplish that task, this humble monk traveled from Japan and across China to find the more original or pure forms of Buddhism.
Drill a hole in the wall to get light to read by.
鑿壁偷光 is a Chinese proverb that means “Bore a hole in the wall to make use of the neighbor's light to study.”
This is a nice gift for a very studious person.
Kuang Heng was born during the Western Han period. He has been very fond of reading ever since he was young. However, he could not attend school since his family was poor, and he had to borrow books from people to learn.
To borrow these books, he normally did chores for people who had them. When he became older, he had to work in the field from sunrise to sunset since his family's financial situation did not improve. Thus, he tried to study at night, but he had no lamp.
One day, he noticed the light from the neighbor's house coming through a crack in the wall. This made him very happy, so he dug a larger hole from the crack and read in the light that shone through. This diligent study eventually made him an accomplished person.
鷹爪翻子拳 is the title of a Chinese martial arts style known as “Ying Zhua Fan Zi Quan” or “Eagle Claw Overturning Fist.”
This style was derived from a combination of 鷹爪派 (Eagle Claw School) and 子母拳 (Son-Mother Fist). The title “son-mother” may seem odd, but it refers to a fist or punches seemingly coming out of another fist or punch. In modern times, 子母彈 is a title for “cluster bomb” (bombs coming out of another bomb).
This Chinese philosophy tells of how we continue to learn throughout our lives.
This proverb can be translated in a few ways such as “Study has no end,” “Knowledge is infinite,” “No end to learning,” “There's always something new to study,” or “You live and learn.”
The deeper meaning: Even when we finish school we are still students of the world gaining more knowledge from our surroundings with each passing day.
See Also: An Open Book Benefits Your Mind | Wisdom | Learn From Wisdom
五行太極拳 is a certain school or style of Tai Chi (Taiji).
The characters literally mean “Five Elements Tai Chi Fist.”
Notes:
In Taiwan, it would be Romanized as “Wu Hsing Tai Chi Chuan” - see the standard Mandarin method above in the gray box (used in mainland China and the official Romanization used by the Library of Congress).
The last three characters are sometimes translated as “Grand Ultimate Fist,” so the whole thing can be “Five Elements Grand Ultimate Fist” if you wish.
I have not confirmed the use of this title in Korean but if it is used, it's probably only by martial arts enthusiasts. The pronunciation is correct, as shown above for Korean.
蔡李何佛雄 is the five families associated with San Soo Kung Fu.
The characters are always the same, but there are several ways these are romanized from Cantonese, Mandarin, and other dialects. Some common ones include Tsoi Li Hoi Fut Hung and Choi Li Ho Fut Hung.
If you are using a different romanization, that does not mean it's wrong. It might just be that your school is using a different dialect or romanization scheme.
門 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja for gate, door, gateway, doorway, opening, entrance, valve, or switch.
Most commonly, this is simply a gate or door.
門 is also a Chinese surname that romanizes as Men.
In Japanese, this can be surnames romanizing as Yuki, Mon, To, or Kado.
In the Buddhist context, beyond meaning a door or gate, this can be a counter for a Buddhist sect, teaching, or school (we might say “slice” of bread, this would be a “gate” of teaching). In this way, it kind of refers to one of several doors that lead to salvation or nirvana.
護身道 is the title for the school of martial arts known as Goshin-Do.
The literal translation of these three characters is something like “self-protection way” or “protection of the body way.”
To put this in context, the term 護身 is often used for charms or amulets that are meant to protect the wearer from harm.
Note: This phrase is pronounceable in Chinese, but it not commonly known in China.
拳法 is a form of martial arts that can be translated in several ways.
Some will call it “fist principles,” “the way of the fist,” or even “law of the fist.” The first character literally means fist. The second can mean law, method, way, principle, or Buddhist teaching.
Kempo is really a potluck of martial arts. Often a combination of Chinese martial arts such as Shaolin Kung Fu with Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Jujutsu (Jujitsu), Aikido, and others. You may see the term “Kempo Karate,” which basically means Karate with other disciplines added. In this way, Kempo becomes an adjective rather than a title or school of martial arts.
These facts will long be argued by various masters and students of Kempo. Even the argument as to whether it should be spelled “kenpo” or “Kempo” ensues at dojos around the world (the correct Romaji should actually be “kenpou” if you precisely follow the rules).
The benefit of Kempo is that the techniques are easier to learn and master than pure Kung Fu (wu shu). Students are often taught basic Karate moves, kicks, and punches before augmenting the basic skills with complex Kung Fu techniques. This allows students of Kempo to achieve a level where they can defend themselves or fight in a relatively short amount of time (a few years rather than a decade or more).
Because the definition of this word is so fluid, I should make some notes here:
1. Purists in Okinawa will claim that “Okinawa Kenpo” or “Ryukyu Hon Kenpo” is the original and true version of this martial art from the old kingdom. It is actually little or no connection between Okinawa Kenpo and the way the word is used elsewhere.
2. In Chinese, where these characters are pronounced “quan fa” (sometimes Romanized as “chuan fa” because the Chinese-pinyin “q” actually sounds like an English “ch” sound), these characters do not hold the connotation of being a mixed martial art. It is simply defined as “the law of the fist.”
3. My Japanese dictionary oddly defines Kenpo as the “Chinese art of self-defense.” I personally don't feel this is the most common way that people perceive the word but just something you should know.
講道館 is a title that refers to a certain kind or school of Judo martial arts.
Here's how the characters break down in meaning for this one:
1. Mutual Assistance or Association. Can also refer to a lecture, speech, or explaining something (as in teaching).
2. Way / Path (the Tao/Dao as in Taoism/Daoism)
3. Schoolroom / Building / Establishment / Mansion / Small Castle / Hall (of learning)
Altogether, you get something like, “The Path of Mutual Learning Hall.”
More about Kodokan from the Institute of Kodokan.
忠誠 is the written form of loyalty that is universal in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
Loyalty is staying true to someone. It is standing up for something you believe in without wavering. It is being faithful to your family, country, school, friends, or ideals when the going gets tough and when things are good. With loyalty, you build relationships that last forever.
Notes:
1. There is also a Japanese version that is part of the Bushido Code which may be more desirable depending on whether your intended audience is Japanese or Chinese.
2. This version of loyalty is sometimes translated as devotion, sincerity, fidelity, or allegiance.
武芸者 is the Japanese Kanji title for “Martial Arts Master.” It suggests that you have reached at least the level of black belt and are probably to the level where you are ready to become an instructor.
Please consider carefully where you stand before ordering this phrase on a wall scroll. If you are not a master, this will make you look a bit foolish.
If you want to get this as a gift for your master at the dojo. Try to discreetly make sure this term is used in your school. Different schools and styles of Japanese martial arts use different terms. You may notice in the Romaji that the last two characters romanize as “geisha” which means “person skilled in arts” (what a geisha girl really is). The title here has the character for “martial,” “warrior,” and/or “military” in front of it. Therefore the literal translation is “martial art person.”
These Kanji are valid Chinese characters and Korean Hanja, but this title does not really make sense in Chinese and is not often used in Korean, though a Chinese or Korean would be able to guess the meaning by looking at the first and last characters.
鬆林流空手道 is the Japanese title for the Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do school of martial arts.
If directly translated, it means “Pine Forest Style Empty Hand Way.”
Notes:
1. 松林流 can be pronounced Matsubayashi-Ryū or Shōrin-Ryū. This can be confusing as Shōrin can also represent 少林 which refers to the Shaolin (little forest) style.
2. 松 can also be written in the traditional form of 鬆.
American School
美國館 is a Korean Hanja title, which roughly means “U.S. School.”
The first two characters mean “USA” (literally: Beautiful Kingdom/Country).
The last character means “school,” “building,” and “schoolroom” in this context.
This “Mi Guk Kwan” title is used to mean “The American School of Tang Soo Do.”
If you want this in modern Korean Hangul, just click the Hangul characters in the pronunciation box next to the Korean flag above.
猴拳 literally means what you think, it's the “Monkey Fist” school of Kung Fu. A style that mimics the punches and movements of monkeys and apes.
Becoming popular during the Qing Dynasty, this style can trace its origins back to as early as the Song Dynasty. Some of the romance and popularity of this style comes from the novel “Journey to the West” which features the Monkey King and his fighting skills.
This novel and martial arts style has spawned a stream of Hong Kong movies featuring the Monkey King and other Kung Fu style variations such as “Drunken Monkey” and “Monkey Stealing Peaches” (a technique of disabling your opponent by grabbing and yanking on his testicles).
Note: This kind of makes sense in Korean Hanja and Japanese Kanji but probably unknown by all Koreans and Japanese except those who have an interest in this form of Kung Fu.
Japanese Genbu Karate Club
日本空手道玄武會 is the title for Nippon Karate-Do Genbu-Kai.
A Japanese karate association of the Genbu school.
Note that while this title does make perfect sense in Chinese, it is really a Japanese title. In fact, the first word is “Japanese/Japan.”
If you’d like your martial arts school, dojo or club added to our calligraphy database for easy ordering of a custom calligraphy wall scroll, just contact me.
古道 is the Japanese word meaning “The Old Way.” The first character means old or ancient. The second character means “the way” and is the same character as used in Taoism / Daoism (Taoism literally means “the way”).
This second character can also be translated as “method,” as in a way of doing things.
古道 is sometimes Romanized as “Kodo,” though officially, the Romaji should be “Kodou.”
My Japanese-English dictionary further translates this word as the old road, ancient methods, ancient moral teachings, and the way of learning.
Note that this would be understood differently in Chinese. Most Chinese people would just read this as “The old road” without the other meanings derived in Japanese.
情熱 is the Japanese word that means enthusiasm or “passion for a cause.”
In some contexts, this could mean being extremely fond of something or having a fondness for a cause or person.
Can also be translated as passion, zeal, ardor/ardour, or fervor.
Note: This word (or character order) is not natural in Chinese. However, a typical Chinese person can guess this is a Japanese or Korean word and understand the intended meaning. This selection is best if your audience is Japanese or old-school Korean.
See Also: Persistence | Devotion | Tenacity | Commitment | Motivation
Also a sect of Buddhism
淨土 literally means “pure land” or “clean earth.”
淨土 is also the abbreviated title of a Buddhist sect that involves faith in the rebirth of Buddha Amitabha (Amitābha) in the Western Heaven. Sometimes this sect is translated as “Paradise of the West.” Other titles of this school of Buddhism include Amidism or Elysium.
See Also: Nirvana | Shin Buddhism
氣功 or Qigong is the title of a technique that is somewhere between medical practice, meditation, and in some cases, religion.
The definition is blurred depending on which school of Qigong you are following. In some cases, it is even incorporated with martial arts.
Some people (even Chinese people) mix this title with Tai Chi (Tai Qi) exercises.
Lately, in China, people will claim to practice Tai Chi rather than Qigong because the Qigong title was recently used as a cover for an illegal pseudo-religious movement in China with the initials F.G. or F.D. (I can not write those names here for fear of our website being banned in China).
You can learn those names and more here: Further info about Qigong
If you are wondering why I wrote “Qi Gong” and “Chi Kung” as the title of this calligraphy entry, I should teach you a little about the various ways in which Chinese can be Romanized. One form writes this as “Chi Kung” or “Chikung” (Taiwan). In the mainland and elsewhere, it is Romanized as “Qi Gong” or “Qigong.” The pronunciation is the same in Taiwan, mainland, and Singapore Mandarin. Neither Romanization is exactly like English. If you want to know how to say this with English rules, it would be something like “Chee Gong” (but the “gong” has a vowel sound like the “O” in “go”).
Romanization is a really confusing topic and has caused many Chinese words to be mispronounced in the west. One example is “Kung Pao Chicken,” which should actually be more like “Gong Bao” with the “O” sounding like “oh” for both characters. Neither the Romanization system in Taiwan nor the Mainland is perfect, in my opinion, and leads to many misunderstandings.
In modern Japan, you may see this written as 気功, but the original 氣功 is still recognized. If you need the Japanese version, please contact me.
Politeness, Gratitude and Propriety
礼 is one of the five tenets of Confucius.
Beyond respect, 礼 can also be translated as propriety, good manners, politeness, rite, worship, or an expression of gratitude.
We show respect by speaking and acting with courtesy. We treat others with dignity and honor the rules of our family, school, and nation. Respect yourself, and others will respect you.
Please note that Japanese use this simplified 礼 version of the original 禮 character for respect. 礼 also happens to be the same simplification used in mainland China. While 禮 is the traditional and original version, 礼 has been used as a shorthand version for many centuries. Click on the big 禮 character to the right if you want the Traditional Chinese and older Japanese versions.
This is also a virtue of the Samurai Warrior
See our page with just Code of the Samurai / Bushido here
See Also: Confucius
The meaning of 復古 can vary depending on the context. It used to mean a return to the old ways.
It can also mean “to turn back the clock,” “retro” (fashion style based on nostalgia, esp. for the 1960s), “revival,” or “restoration.”
The return to “the old ways” was also an aspiration of Confucius about 2500 years ago. This proves that “going retro” or “old school” has been cool since at least 500 B.C.
While this character literally means law, regulation or rules, it's also a surname Lü in Chinese and name Ritsu in Japanese.
In more ancient times (and for some people still), this can refer to East Asian criminal code, or vinaya (rules for the monastic community). For Japanese Buddhists, this can be the Ritsu school.
In some context, this can refer to certain musical scales used in Asia.
The 浪人 or Ronin have no master - The most famous are the 47 ronin created after their Lord committed suicide. This term was not a positive title for the Samurai of ancient Japan. However, in recent years, movies and video games have glorified the term Ronin.
In Chinese, this term has the original meaning of a hobo, vagabond, or ruffian.
In Korean Hanja, these characters would be read as adventurer, wanderer, someone without a steady job, or someone who is wasting away time.
In modern Japan, this term is used as a nickname for a high school student who has failed a college entry exam (and is trying again).
In Chinese and Korean, the Japanese definition of “Masterless Samurai” is known because of the historical context. Even in Japanese, the literal translation is closer to the Chinese and Korean definitions shown above.
This will make a fine wall scroll if you are a fan of the Ronin or see yourself as a Ronin of sorts. However, please think twice before getting a Ronin tattoo!
學 is “study” or “learn” in Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
學 is a very broad character that can mean a lot of things related to scholarship. It can refer to a school (in fact, if you put the character for “big” in front of this, you have “college” or “university,” if you put the word for “middle,” you have “middle school.” This can also mean science; the process of acquiring knowledge; learning; scholarship; erudition; knowledge. It can also add the Chinese or Japanese version of “-ology” (the study of) too many words.
There is a very common simplified version of this character. You will see this form in modern Japan and mainland China, Singapore, and other places. If you want this simplified version, please click on the character shown to the right instead of the "select and customize" button above.
先輩 is a Chinese, Japanese, and old Korean word or title that means elders, senior (at work or school), superior, older graduate, progenitor, or old-timer.
In American dojos, this is sometimes romanized as Sempai.
少林拳 is the title of the martial art (style of Kung Fu) that is taught to the monks and students in the Shaolin Buddhist Monastery.
The addition of Chuan or Quan, which means fist is what signifies that you are talking about this school or form of martial arts.
Shaolin Temple Style
Shaolin Style
少林流 is the Japanese martial arts title “Shorin-ryu.”
Though the first part of the title comes from the Shaolin (small forest) monks of China.
In Japan, this refers to the Okinawa School of Karate.
Note that often in Japanese, the first Kanji of this title was changed to the version shown to the right. If you prefer this version, please click on the Kanji to the right instead of the button above.
初心流 is often translated in Japanese as “beginner's mind style” or “beginner's spirit method.”
The first character means first, initial, primary, junior, beginning, or basic.
The second character means heart, mind, soul, or essence.
The third character means style, method, or some will translate it as a school.
Please note, there is more than one martial arts school that romanizes as Shoshin-Ryu.
正心流 is a Japanese title that means “right heart style” or “true mind method.”
The first character means right, correct, greater, or true.
The second character means heart, mind, soul, or essence.
The third character means style, method, or some will translate it as a school.
Please note, there is more than one martial arts school that romanizes as Shoshin-Ryu.
Martial arts term
Skills cannot be perfected without perseverance in practice
不怕练不成就怕心不恒 literally translates as: Do not worry about not being able to master [a skill]; What [one should] be concerned about is lack of perseverance.
Figuratively, this means: One's skills cannot be perfected without perseverance in practice.
For me, I've learned that you can only get so much from school or studying. You've really got to do “on-the-job training” to perfect your ability and skill.
For martial arts students: You can read about a kick in a book, or someone can tell you about a certain kick but until you practice the kick, there's no way you'll master it.
南派螳螂 can be translated literally as “Southern School Praying Mantis” or “Southern Style Praying Mantis.”
Despite its name, the Southern Praying Mantis style of Chinese martial arts is unrelated to the Northern Praying Mantis style. Southern Praying Mantis is instead related most closely to fellow Hakka styles such as Dragon and more distantly to the Fujian family of styles that includes Fujian White Crane, Five Ancestors, and Wing Chun.
This style of martial arts focuses more on fighting skills rather than aesthetics.
Of course, you already knew that if you were looking for this term.
Note: This title can be pronounced and does have meaning in Korean but only to Koreans familiar with Chinese martial arts.
These Japanese Kanji, 安心立命, can be translated as “religious enlightenment” or “spiritual peace gained through faith.”
Other dictionaries define as “spiritual peace and enlightenment” or “keeping an unperturbed mind through faith.”
My Buddhist dictionary defines it as “spiritual peace and realization of enlightenment.”
In the Zen school, this is about settling one's body and life; attaining complete peace, and establishing one's course of life in accord with the ultimate reality.
學生 is how to write “student” in Chinese, pre-WWII Japanese Kanji, and old Korean Hanja.
If you are a “student of life,” this might be an interesting wall scroll to hang in your reading room.
The first character means “study” or “learning.”
The second character means “life” or “birth.” Don't read too much into that second character unless you decide that this means “the birth of studies” or “the life of learning.” Everyone in China, Japan (and those who can read Hanja in Korea) will just read this word with the meaning of “student.”
If you put the character for “little” in front of this word, it becomes “elementary school student.” Prefixed with “middle,” it becomes “middle school student.” Prefixed with “big,” it becomes “university student” (though when these two characters for student are seen alone, it often suggests “university student”). The term “high school student” is written differently.
There is a very common simplified version of the first character for this word. You will see this form in modern Japan and mainland China, Singapore, and other places. If you want this simplified version, please click on the character shown to the right instead of the "select and customize" button above.
True Pure Land Buddhism
浄土真宗 is known in the west as “Shin Buddhism.”
This is a school of Japanese “Pure Land Buddhism.” This form is also known as “True Pure Land Buddhism” or “Jodoshinshu” (jōdoshinshū).
If you are looking for this title, you probably already know the rest of the story.
See Also: Pure Land Buddhism
上地流 or Uechi-Ryū is the short name for a traditional style of Okinawan karate.
Uechi-Ryū is named after its creator, Kanbun Uechi. Uechi was an Okinawan man who left at the age of 19 for China to study Chinese martial arts and medicine.
The meaning of this title is “Uechi Flow,” “Uechi Style,” or “Uechi School.” Although, the name 上地 or Uechi can mean “higher stages of practice” in the Buddhist context. Therefore, you can stretch the meaning to be “Higher-Stages-of-Practice Style.”
詠春拳 is the title for the “Wing Chun” school of martial arts but with the addition of the character for “fist” at the end. So this is “Wing Chun Fist” or literally “Singing Spring Fist.”
There are lots of alternate Cantonese romanizations for this, such as “Wing Chun Kuen,” “Wing Tsun Cheun,” “Eng Chun Pai,” and “Wing Ceon Kyun.” The characters are the same; just the lack of a standard Cantonese romanization means that people make up their own based on what they think it sounds like.
五祖拳 is a martial arts concept (or school) known as Five Ancestors' Fist.
The first character means five.
The second means ancestor, forefather, or grandparents.
The third means fist.
The ancestors referred to by this title and whose attributes contribute to this style are as follows:
1. Grace of the White Crane.
2. Agility of the Monkey.
3. Precision and skill of Emperor Taizu (great mythical ancestor).
4. Power of Luohan (Buddhist arhat).
5. Breath of Damo (founder of Buddhism, or the first Buddha).
禪宗 is one way to title “Zen Buddhism.” Because the original pronunciation of Zen in Chinese is Chan, you'll also see this expressed as Chan Buddhism.
From the Buddhist Dictionary:
The Chan, meditative or intuitional, sect is usually said to have been established in China by Bodhidharma, the twenty-eighth patriarch, who brought the tradition of the Buddha-mind from India. This sect, believing in direct enlightenment, disregarded ritual and sūtras and depended upon the inner light and personal influence for the propagation of its tenets, founding itself on the esoteric tradition supposed to have been imparted to Kāśyapa by the Buddha, who indicated his meaning by plucking a flower without further explanation. Kāśyapa smiled in apprehension and is supposed to have passed on this mystic method to the patriarchs. The successor of Bodhidharma was 慧可 Huike, and he was succeeded by 僧璨 Sengcan, 道信 Daoxin, 弘忍 Hongren, 慧能 Huineng, and 神秀 Shenxiu, the sect dividing under the two latter into the southern and northern schools: the southern school became prominent, producing 南嶽 Nanyue and 靑原 Qingyuan, the former succeeded by 馬祖 Mazu, the latter by 石頭 Shitou. From Mazu's school arose the five later schools.
菩提達磨 is the title Bodhidharma in Chinese and Japanese.
Bodhidharma, commonly known as Damo, is reputed as the founder of the Chan (Zen) or Intuitional or Mystic School.
He likely came from south India and spread Mahayana Buddhism throughout China (even meeting the Emperor) and his disciples likely spread this all the way to Korea, Japan, and beyond in the 5th and 6th centuries.
Sometimes the last character varies in Chinese to 摩 instead of 磨 - let me know if you need a certain variation when you order.
沖縄剛柔館 is the martial arts style Okinawan Gojukan or Okinawan Goju-Kan.
The meaning is “Okinawa hardness [and] softness hall.”
沖縄 = Okinawa.
剛 = Hard, firm, or strong.
柔 = Soft, softness, flexible, supple, yielding, gentleness, or pliant.
館 = Hall, building, school room, or an alternate word for a dojo.
致道館 is the name Chidokan.
Chidōkan was established in 1805. The original Chidōkan school was located in Tsuruoka, Japan.
The original school taught a combination of traditional Chinese literature, Ogasawara-ryū etiquette, Chinese medicine and martial arts alongside Confucianism.
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The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Aiki-Jutsu | 合氣術 合気術 | ai ki jutsu aikijutsu | ||
Aikikai | 合気会 / 合氣會 合気会 | ai ki kai / aikikai | ||
Content and Motionless | 安住不動 安住不动 | an juu fu dou anjuufudou an ju fu do | ||
Appreciation of Truth by Meditation | 心印 | shin nin / shinnin | xīn yìn / xin1 yin4 / xin yin / xinyin | hsin yin / hsinyin |
White Eagle Style | 白鷹派 白鹰派 | bái yīng pài bai2 ying1 pai4 bai ying pai baiyingpai | pai ying p`ai paiyingpai pai ying pai |
|
Wisdom from Hard Knocks | 挨一拳得一招挨十拳變諸葛 挨一拳得一招挨十拳变诸葛 | ái yī quán dé yī zhāo ái shí quán biàn zhū gě ai2 yi1 quan2 de2 yi1 zhao1 ai2 shi2 quan2 bian4 zhu1 ge3 ai yi quan de yi zhao ai shi quan bian zhu ge | ai i ch`üan te i chao ai shih ch`üan pien chu ko ai i chüan te i chao ai shih chüan pien chu ko |
|
Black Flag Gate Hek Ki Boen | 黑旗門 黑旗门 | hēi qí mén hei1 qi2 men2 hei qi men heiqimen | hei ch`i men heichimen hei chi men |
|
Black Tiger Fist | 黑虎拳 | hēi hǔ quán hei1 hu3 quan2 hei hu quan heihuquan | hei hu ch`üan heihuchüan hei hu chüan |
|
Bushin Bujin | 武神 | bu shin / bushin | ||
Bushi-Ryu Jujutsu | 武士流柔術 | bu shi ryuu ju jutsu bushiryuujujutsu bu shi ryu ju jutsu | ||
Che Guevara | 切格瓦拉 | qiè gé wǎ lā qie4 ge2 wa3 la1 qie ge wa la qiegewala | ch`ieh ko wa la chiehkowala chieh ko wa la |
|
Chito-Ryu | 千唐流 | chi tou ryuu chitouryuu chi to ryu | ||
Choujiao Chou Jiao | 戳腳 戳脚 | chuō jiǎo chuo1 jiao3 chuo jiao chuojiao | ch`o chiao chochiao cho chiao |
|
Chung Do Kwan | 靑濤館 | qīng tāo quǎn qing1 tao1 quan3 qing tao quan qingtaoquan | ch`ing t`ao ch`üan chingtaochüan ching tao chüan |
|
Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu | 大東流合氣柔術 大東流合気柔術 | dai tou ryuu ai ki ju jutsu daitouryuuaikijujutsu dai to ryu ai ki ju jutsu | ||
Dogen | 道元 | dou gen / dougen / do gen | dào yuán / dao4 yuan2 / dao yuan / daoyuan | tao yüan / taoyüan |
Diligent Study Proverb | 鑿壁偷光 凿壁偷光 | záo bì tōu guāng zao2 bi4 tou1 guang1 zao bi tou guang zaobitouguang | tsao pi t`ou kuang tsaopitoukuang tsao pi tou kuang |
|
The Eagle Claw School | 鷹爪派 鹰爪派 | yīng zhuǎ pài ying1 zhua3 pai4 ying zhua pai yingzhuapai | ying chua p`ai yingchuapai ying chua pai |
|
Eagle Claw Overturning Fist | 鷹爪翻子拳 鹰爪翻子拳 | yīng zhuǎ fān zi quán ying1 zhua3 fan1 zi5 quan2 ying zhua fan zi quan yingzhuafanziquan | ying chua fan tzu ch`üan yingchuafantzuchüan ying chua fan tzu chüan |
|
Eishin-Ryu | 英信流 | ei shin ryuu eishinryuu ei shin ryu | ||
Learning is Eternal | 學無止境 学无止境 | xué wú zhǐ jìng xue2 wu2 zhi3 jing4 xue wu zhi jing xuewuzhijing | hsüeh wu chih ching hsüehwuchihching |
|
Five Elements Tai Chi Fist | 五行太極拳 五行太极拳 | go gyou tai kyoku ken gogyoutaikyokuken go gyo tai kyoku ken | wǔ xíng tài jí quán wu3 xing2 tai4 ji2 quan2 wu xing tai ji quan wuxingtaijiquan | wu hsing t`ai chi ch`üan wuhsingtaichichüan wu hsing tai chi chüan |
Five Families Tsoi Li Hoi Fut Hung | 蔡李何佛雄 | cài lǐ hé fú xióng cai4 li3 he2 fu2 xiong2 cai li he fu xiong cailihefuxiong | ts`ai li ho fu hsiung tsailihofuhsiung tsai li ho fu hsiung |
|
Gate | 門 门 | mon | mén / men2 / men | |
Goju Ryu | 剛柔流 刚柔流 | gou juu ryuu goujuuryuu go ju ryu | ||
Goju Ryu Karate-Do | 剛柔流空手道 刚柔流空手道 | gou juu ryuu kara te dou goujuuryuukaratedou go ju ryu kara te do | ||
Goshin-Do | 護身道 护身道 | gou shin dou goushindou go shin do | hù shēn dào hu4 shen1 dao4 hu shen dao hushendao | hu shen tao hushentao |
Kenpo Kempo Quan Fa Chuan Fa | 拳法 | kenpou / kenpo | quán fǎ / quan2 fa3 / quan fa / quanfa | ch`üan fa / chüanfa / chüan fa |
Kodokan | 講道館 讲道馆 | kou dou kan koudoukan ko do kan | ||
Kodokan Aikido | 光道館合気道 / 光道館合氣道 光道馆合气道 | kou dou kan ai ki dou koudoukanaikidou ko do kan ai ki do | ||
Kodokan Judo | 講道館柔道 讲道馆柔道 | kou dou kan juu dou koudoukanjuudou ko do kan ju do | ||
Kyokushinkai | 極真會 極真会 | kyoku shin kai kyokushinkai | ||
Changquan Long Fist | 長拳 长拳 | cháng quán chang2 quan2 chang quan changquan | ch`ang ch`üan changchüan chang chüan |
|
Loyalty | 忠誠 忠诚 | chuu sei / chuusei / chu sei | zhōng chéng zhong1 cheng2 zhong cheng zhongcheng | chung ch`eng chungcheng chung cheng |
Martial Arts Master | 武芸者 | bugeisha | wǔ yún zhě wu3 yun2 zhe3 wu yun zhe wuyunzhe | wu yün che wuyünche |
Matsubayashi-Ryu Karate-Do | 松林流空手道 | matsu bayashi ryuu kara te dou matsu bayashi ryu kara te do | ||
Mi Guk Kwan | 美國館 美国馆 | měi guó guǎn mei3 guo2 guan3 mei guo guan meiguoguan | mei kuo kuan meikuokuan |
|
Monkey Fist | 猴拳 | hóu quán / hou2 quan2 / hou quan / houquan | hou ch`üan / houchüan / hou chüan | |
Nippon Karate-Do Genbu-Kai | 日本空手道玄武會 日本空手道玄武会 | ni ppon kara te dou gen bu kai nipponkaratedougenbukai ni pon kara te do gen bu kai | rì běn kōng shǒu dào xuán wǔ huì ri4 ben3 kong1 shou3 dao4 xuan2 wu3 hui4 ri ben kong shou dao xuan wu hui | jih pen k`ung shou tao hsüan wu hui jih pen kung shou tao hsüan wu hui |
The Old Way Old School | 古道 | kodou / kodo | ||
Enthusiasm Passion for a Cause | 情熱 情热 | jou netsu / jounetsu / jo netsu | qíng rè / qing2 re4 / qing re / qingre | ch`ing je / chingje / ching je |
Pure Land Jodo | 淨土 净土 | jou do / joudo / jo do | jìng tǔ / jing4 tu3 / jing tu / jingtu | ching t`u / chingtu / ching tu |
Qi Gong Chi Kung | 氣功 气功 | ki kou / kikou / ki ko | qì gōng / qi4 gong1 / qi gong / qigong | ch`i kung / chikung / chi kung |
Respect | 禮 礼 | rei | lǐ / li3 / li | |
Retro Old School | 復古 复古 | fukko / fuko | fù gǔ / fu4 gu3 / fu gu / fugu | fu ku / fuku |
Ritsu | 律 | ritsu | lǜ / lu:4 / lu: | lü |
Ronin Masterless Samurai | 浪人 | rou nin / rounin / ro nin | làng rén / lang4 ren2 / lang ren / langren | lang jen / langjen |
Rugby | 拉格比 | lā gé bǐ la1 ge2 bi3 la ge bi lagebi | la ko pi lakopi |
|
Study Learn School | 學 学 | gaku | xué / xue2 / xue | hsüeh |
School of Happiness | 幸福の學校 幸福の学校 | koufuku no gakkou koufukunogakkou kofuku no gako | ||
School of Happiness | 幸福學校 幸福学校 | xìng fú xué xiào xing4 fu2 xue2 xiao4 xing fu xue xiao xingfuxuexiao | hsing fu hsüeh hsiao hsingfuhsüehhsiao |
|
Senpai The Elder or Master | 先輩 先辈 | sen pai / senpai | xiān bèi / xian1 bei4 / xian bei / xianbei | hsien pei / hsienpei |
Shaolin Chuan Shao Lin Quan | 少林拳 | shǎo lín quán shao3 lin2 quan2 shao lin quan shaolinquan | shao lin ch`üan shaolinchüan shao lin chüan |
|
Shito-Ryu Ki-Me-Kan Karate-Do | 糸東流氣目館空手道 糸东流気目馆空手道 | shito-ryu ki-me-kan karate-dou shito-ryu ki-me-kan karate-do | mì dōng liú qì mù guǎn kōng shǒu dào mi4 dong1 liu2 qi4 mu4 guan3 kong1 shou3 dao4 mi dong liu qi mu guan kong shou dao | mi tung liu ch`i mu kuan k`ung shou tao mi tung liu chi mu kuan kung shou tao |
Shorin Ji Ryu | 少林寺流 | shou rin ji ryuu shourinjiryuu sho rin ji ryu | ||
Shorin-Ryu | 少林流 | shou rin ryuu shourinryuu sho rin ryu | ||
Shoshin-Ryu | 初心流 | shou shin ryuu shoushinryuu sho shin ryu | ||
Shoshin-Ryu | 正心流 | shou shin ryuu shoushinryuu sho shin ryu | ||
Shotokan-Ryu | 松濤館流 | shou tou kan ryuu shoutoukanryuu sho to kan ryu | ||
Perseverance is the Key | 不怕練不成就怕心不恆 不怕练不成就怕心不恒 | bú pà liàn bù chéng jiù pà xīn bù héng bu2 pa4 lian4 bu4 cheng2 jiu4 pa4 xin1 bu4 heng2 bu pa lian bu cheng jiu pa xin bu heng | pu p`a lien pu ch`eng chiu p`a hsin pu heng pu pa lien pu cheng chiu pa hsin pu heng |
|
Southern Praying Mantis | 南派螳螂 | nán pài táng láng nan2 pai4 tang2 lang2 nan pai tang lang nanpaitanglang | nan p`ai t`ang lang nanpaitanglang nan pai tang lang |
|
Spiritual Peace Enlightened Peace | 安心立命 | an jin ritsu myou anjinritsumyou an jin ritsu myo | ||
Student | 學生 学生 | gakusei | xué shēng xue2 sheng1 xue sheng xuesheng | hsüeh sheng hsüehsheng |
Tantui | 潭腿 | tán tuǐ / tan2 tui3 / tan tui / tantui | t`an t`ui / tantui / tan tui | |
Shin Buddhism | 浄土真宗 | jou do shin shuu joudoshinshuu jo do shin shu | ||
Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do | 上地流空手道 | ue chi ryuu kara te dou uechiryuukaratedou ue chi ryu kara te do | ||
Uechi-Ryu | 上地流 | ue chi ryuu uechiryuu ue chi ryu | ||
Wing Chun Fist | 詠春拳 咏春拳 | yǒng chūn quán yong3 chun1 quan2 yong chun quan yongchunquan | yung ch`un ch`üan yungchunchüan yung chun chüan |
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Five Ancestors Fist | 五祖拳 | wǔ zǔ quán wu3 zu3 quan2 wu zu quan wuzuquan | wu tsu ch`üan wutsuchüan wu tsu chüan |
|
Zen Buddhism | 禪宗 禅宗 | zen shuu / zenshuu / zen shu | chán zōng chan2 zong1 chan zong chanzong | ch`an tsung chantsung chan tsung |
Bodhidharma | 菩提達磨 菩提达磨 | bodai daruma bodaidaruma | pú tí dá mó pu2 ti2 da2 mo2 pu ti da mo putidamo | p`u t`i ta mo putitamo pu ti ta mo |
Shidoshi | 士道師 士道师 | shi dou shi shidoushi shi do shi | ||
Kanzen Goju-Ryu | 完全剛柔流 完全刚柔流 | kan zen gou juu ryuu kanzengoujuuryuu kan zen go ju ryu | ||
Kobayashi Shobayashi | 小林 | shou bayashi / ko bayashi shoubayashi / kobayashi sho bayashi / ko bayashi | xiǎo lín / xiao3 lin2 / xiao lin / xiaolin | hsiao lin / hsiaolin |
Sandokai | 參同契 | san dou kai sandoukai san do kai | cān tóng qì can1 tong2 qi4 can tong qi cantongqi | ts`an t`ung ch`i tsantungchi tsan tung chi |
Shudokan | 修道館 | shuu dou kan shuudoukan shu do kan | ||
Shinto Muso-Ryu | 神道夢想流 | shin tou mu sou ryuu shintoumusouryuu shin to mu so ryu | ||
Koryu Bujutsu | 古流武術 古流武术 | ko ryuu bu jutsu koryuubujutsu ko ryu bu jutsu | gǔ liú wǔ shù gu3 liu2 wu3 shu4 gu liu wu shu guliuwushu | ku liu wu shu kuliuwushu |
Goshin-Kai | 護身会 护身会 | go shin kai goshinkai | ||
Kobukan | 古武館 古武馆 | ko bu kan / kobukan | ||
Gojukan Goju-Kan | 剛柔館 刚柔馆 | gou juu kan goujuukan go ju kan | ||
Okinawan Goju-Kan | 沖縄剛柔館 沖縄刚柔馆 | okinawa gou juu kan okinawagoujuukan okinawa go ju kan | ||
Chidokan | 致道館 | chi dou kan chidoukan chi do kan | zhì dào guǎn zhi4 dao4 guan3 zhi dao guan zhidaoguan | chih tao kuan chihtaokuan |
Shinden Fudo Ryu | 神伝不動流 | shin den fu do ryuu shindenfudoryuu shin den fu do ryu | ||
Kenshin-Kan | 建心館 | ken shin kan kenshinkan | ||
In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
Successful Chinese Character and Japanese Kanji calligraphy searches within the last few hours...
All of our calligraphy wall scrolls are handmade.
When the calligrapher finishes creating your artwork, it is taken to my art mounting workshop in Beijing where a wall scroll is made by hand from a combination of silk, rice paper, and wood.
After we create your wall scroll, it takes at least two weeks for air mail delivery from Beijing to you.
Allow a few weeks for delivery. Rush service speeds it up by a week or two for $10!
When you select your calligraphy, you'll be taken to another page where you can choose various custom options.
The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
single-character wall scroll.
We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.
Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.
There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form
of art alive.
Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.
The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.
Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.
Some people may refer to this entry as Old School Kanji, Old School Characters, Old School in Mandarin Chinese, Old School Characters, Old School in Chinese Writing, Old School in Japanese Writing, Old School in Asian Writing, Old School Ideograms, Chinese Old School symbols, Old School Hieroglyphics, Old School Glyphs, Old School in Chinese Letters, Old School Hanzi, Old School in Japanese Kanji, Old School Pictograms, Old School in the Chinese Written-Language, or Old School in the Japanese Written-Language.
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