Breath

呼吸 (kokyuu)

The Japanese word 呼吸 meaning "Breath" is composed of the kanji 呼 (read ko) meaning "call; call out to; invite" and 吸 (read kyuu) meaning "suck; imbibe; inhale".

Verify: 呼吸 in the Japanese-English Dictionary

Breath (呼吸) in Block style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Block Vertical VB2C

Breath (呼吸) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Cursive Vertical VC2B

Breath (呼吸) in Design style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Design Vertical VD4B

Breath (呼吸) in Semi-Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Semi-Cursive Vertical VS2C

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Block Horizontal HB2A

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Cursive Horizontal HC2A

Breath 呼吸 kokyuu Semi-Cursive Horizontal HS2A

息吹 (ibuki)

One sometimes sees the archaic reading in Martial Arts as ikibuki though this is not used in everyday Japanese. This design is a reminder of the importance of proper breathing.