Oneself

by Nao

onore, ko, ki

The noun “onore” meaning oneself sounds classical. Jiko is a more familiar word having the same meaning.

What do people do with jiko (themselves)? Here are some examples:

• To take a good look at oneself … jiko wo mitsumeru
• To know oneself … jiko wo shiru
• To affirm oneself … jiko wo kōteisuru
• To deny oneself … jiko wo hiteisuru
• To analyze oneself … jiko wo bunsekisuru

Jiko often becomes a suffix meaning “self-.”

• Jikokanri means self-control.
• Jikokansatsu means self-observation.
• Jikogisei means self-sacrifice.
• Jikokettei means self-determination.
• Jikoshōkai means self-introduction.
• Jikotōsui means self-absorption.
• Jikohitei means self-denial.
• Jikohihan means self-criticism.
• Jikoanji means autosuggestion.
• … and so on and so forth.

Self-centeredness is “jikochū shin.” It is abbreviated as “jikochū,” of which the chū is written in katakana. We do not use the slang “jikochū” on formal occasions.

1. Draw the hook on the top.
2. Draw the horizontal stroke.
3. Draw the U-shaped curve. Make it narrower at the end. The first curve is rounder than the other. At the second corner, you can stop a little to change the direction of the brush.

[Via http://calligraphernao.wordpress.com]