Meeting is only the beginning of separation in Japanese Calligraphy

逢うは別れの始め (au wa wakare no hajime)

逢うは別れの始め (au wa wakare no hajime) means "to meet is the beginning of parting." It reflects the Buddhist teaching that every encounter already contains its farewell, a meditation on impermanence. It joins 逢う (au) "to meet," 別れ (wakare) "parting," and 始め (hajime) "beginning." Bittersweet rather than sad: because meetings end, they are precious.

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 Block Vertical 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 Cursive Vertical VC4B

Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Cursive Vertical VC4C

Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Cursive Vertical 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 Semi-Cursive Vertical VS6C

Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Block Horizontal HB4A

Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Cursive Horizontal HC5A

Meeting is only the beginning of separation 逢うは別れの始め au wa wakare no hajime Semi-Cursive Horizontal HS4A

Meeting is only the beginning of separation

逢うは別れの始め (au wa wakare no hajime)

Also available as a hand-brushed Japanese scroll