言

Cotonoha

Japanese words, with a little room to breathe.

Every print we make has two halves.

The first is the word itself, explained as carefully as we can, in Japan, drawing on Japanese dictionaries and trusted sources.

The second is our own words — not a translation, but a quiet line for the days when you need one.

On the day you want it, you can simply pick it up.

You do not have to answer right away.

There is no need to tidy away what you are feeling now.

Put the words side by side, and they begin to say one thing: not how to live — only that you do not have to be further along than you are.

The words

Kintsugi金継ぎ You were hurt, and you kept walking. No one else has walked your path.

Natsukashii懐かしい If it felt natsukashii, that moment is still with you.

Mono no Aware物の哀れ There is no need to tidy away what you are feeling now.

Ikigai生き甲斐 You do not have to be able to say "this is my ikigai."

Tsundoku積読 On the day you want it, you can simply pick it up.

Komorebi木漏れ日 A warmth that lasts only a moment is still worth keeping.

Ma間 You do not have to answer right away.

日本語の言葉を、日本で書いています。

辞書と、古くから読まれてきた文章にあたって、意味をできるだけ正確に書く。そのうえで、わたしたちの一行を添えています。訳ではありません。疲れた夜に読みたくなるような、一行を。

どう生きるか、ではありません。今より先に行っていなくてもいい、ということだけです。