Determination in Japanese Calligraphy — 17 Hand-Brushed Designs

決心 (kesshin)

The Japanese word 決心 meaning "Determination" and "Resolution" is composed of the kanji 決 (read ketsu) meaning "decide; fix; appoint" and 心 (read shin) meaning "heart; mind; spirit".

決心 is used both as a noun and a verb and is more along the lines of a "felt decision" or a decision coming from one's heart or soul as opposed to Determination (ketsui) which is more of a decision made from the mind or logic. Though the two words are synonyms and are often used interchangeably.

Verify: 決心 in the Japanese-English Dictionary

Determination (決心) in Block style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Determination 決心 kesshin Block Vertical VB2C

Determination (決心) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Determination 決心 kesshin Cursive Vertical VC2B

Determination (決心) in Design style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Determination 決心 kesshin Design Vertical VD2B

Determination 決心 kesshin Design Vertical VD3B

Determination (決心) in Semi-Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase

Determination 決心 kesshin Semi-Cursive Vertical VS2C

Determination 決心 kesshin Cursive Horizontal HC2A

Determination 決心 kesshin Semi-Cursive Horizontal HS2A

決意 (ketsui)

The Japanese word 決意 meaning "Determination" and "Decision" is composed of the kanji 決 (read ketsu) meaning "decide; fix; appoint" and 意 (read i) meaning "idea; mind; heart".

決意 is used both as a noun and a verb and is more along the lines of a "forceful decision" or a decision coming from one's mind as opposed to Determination (kesshin) which is more of a decision made from the heart. Though the two words are synonyms and are often used interchangeably.