Fine Japanese Calligraphy

The Art of Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

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逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Meeting is only the beginning of separation

To meet is the beginning of parting.

Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Block style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Vertical Block VB6C
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Vertical Cursive VC4B
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Vertical Cursive VC4C
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Vertical Cursive VC7B
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Semi-Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Vertical Semi-Cursive VS6C
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Block style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Horizontal Block HB4A
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Horizontal Cursive HC5A
Meeting is only the beginning of separation (逢うは別れの始め) in Semi-Cursive style Japanese calligraphy by Eri Takase
Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Horizontal Semi-Cursive HS4A
More about 逢うは別れの始め

逢うは別れの始め says that every meeting already holds its parting. Where there is meeting, parting is to be expected, and the proverb is said to stop grief. It is a sentence of comfort and of letting go. The newer reading, that meetings are precious because they end, stands beside the older one.

The English title is Lafcadio Hearn's, from his In Ghostly Japan of 1899.

The Japanese proverb translates a Chinese line, 合者離之始, that Bai Juyi 白居易 wrote in his poem 和夢遊春詩一百韻 about 810, itself a paraphrase of the Buddhist sutras' teaching that meeting must have parting.

We want you to be as happy with the meaning as you are with Master Takase's art. To learn more, visit Philology of 逢うは別れの始め.

About the Designs

Each design is Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase's hand-brushed calligraphy of the word or phrase on this page, delivered as a PDF you can print. Every PDF includes the line art, so a tattoo artist or a craftsperson can work from the outline as well as the brushed image.

Licensing

Your purchase includes a personal-use license: use the design as a tattoo reference, frame it, engrave it, print it for yourself, or make it into a gift. For more information see Licensing, which also covers commercial-use options that may be purchased separately.

Delivery

Your PDF is available for download the moment your order completes, and a copy is attached to your emailed receipt.

If you need your design again later, ask us for it and we will send it.

Meeting is only the beginning of separation as a hand-brushed scroll

Master Takase personally brushes your scroll when you order, and it bears her red seal and her signature. The scroll has real silk borders and layered Japanese paper, so it hangs straight, and it arrives ready to display.