形影一如 keiei ichinyo Inseparable as Form and Shadow

形影一如 says two are as close as a body and its shadow. A shadow goes wherever its body goes, so the two are one thing seen twice. It is said of any two who go together: friends, brothers, a teacher and a pupil, a husband and a wife. The same words also describe a person whose deeds show what is in the heart. It is a rare phrase, and a beautiful one. Whether it is for a marriage or for the match of heart and deed is yours.

形影一如 is composed of the word 形影 (read keiei) meaning "form and shadow" and 一如 (read ichinyo) meaning "oneness".

We want you to be as happy with the meaning as you are with Master Takase's art. To learn more, visit Philology of 形影一如.

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