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2. Cuong Nhu
3. Gentleness
4. Judo
6. Flexibility
8. Goju Ryu
9. Lion Judo
10. Flexibility Overcomes Strength
11. Sorakage Jujutsu
14. Kanzen Goju-Ryu
15. Kodokan Judo
18. Aiki Jujutsu
This 柔 Kanji literally means flexible, pliable, gentle, or yielding.
柔 is also the first Kanji of the Japanese martial arts titles of Judo and Jujutsu (Jujitsu). In those cases, it's pronounced “ju” in Japanese. However, alone, the classic pronunciation is “yawara.” Some translate this Kanji (in the context of martial arts) as “The Heart of Judo.”
Please note that this just means pliable, gentle, and yielding in Chinese and old Korean Hanja. They do know what Judo and Jujitsu are but if this character is seen alone in China or Korea, people generally will not think of the martial arts context.
剛柔 is a term that means hardness and softness or hard and soft.
剛柔 is also the Chinese character origin of the martial arts style known as Cương Nhu.
Cương Nhu or Cuong Nhu was founded by Grandmaster Ngo Dong in 1965 in Hue, Vietnam, and brought to the U.S. in 1971.
剛 means hard, firm, strong, and just.
柔 means soft, flexible, supple, yielding, softness, and/or gentleness.
Until it was romanized in the mid-17th century by Portuguese missionaries with later influence by French missionaries, Vietnamese was exclusively written in Chinese characters. With some research, you can still figure out the original way to write most Vietnamese words and titles in Chinese characters. That is what I did here to figure out that Cuong Nhu would have been 剛柔 if established in ancient Vietnam.
Same characters are used in Japanese for various Goju schools of Okinawan martial arts, though not the same lineage as the Vietnamese style described above.
溫柔 or “gentleness” is moving wisely, touching softly, holding carefully, speaking quietly, and thinking kindly.
When you feel mad or hurt, use your self-control. Instead of harming someone, talk things out peacefully. You are making the world a safer, gentler place.
柔道 is the martial art invented in Japan and known as “Judo” around the world.
Translated directly, it means “Gentle Way” or “Flexible Way"
More about Judo
柔術 has been somewhat incorrectly spelled and pronounced “Jujitsu” for some time in the English-speaking world. The correct Japanese Romaji is Jujutsu or Juujutsu.
A little background on the word: By combining the Kanji pronounced “Ju” (which means flexible, pliable, gentle, yielding) with the Kanji pronounced “Jutsu” (which means art or technique), we get a meaning that can be translated as “flexible technique,” “gentle art” or “yielding technique.”
柔術 does make sense in Chinese as well, although pronounced “rou shu” in China.
The Jujutsu system has a history in Japan that started well before the 1600s. Some see this style as a variation of the “Empty Hand Method” (Karate-do). Even the samurai of old used some Jujutsu methods in defending themselves with their unarmed hands against weapons that could pierce their heavy armor.
There are convoluted relationships between various schools and systems of martial arts, but it's generally accepted that Jujutsu led to the development of Judo and a few other variations.
Alternate / Japanese version
柔軟性 is the Chinese, Japanese Kanji, and Korean Hanja word that means “flexibility.”
It can also mean “compatibility,” “pliability,” “softness” and “elasticity.”
獅子柔道 is the title for Lion Judo.
This should be considered just a Japanese title, though it is pronounceable and makes sense in Chinese and Korean - so I have included the romanization for those languages above.
Softness Overcomes Hardness
沖縄剛柔館 is the martial arts style Okinawan Gojukan or Okinawan Goju-Kan.
The meaning is “Okinawa hardness [and] softness hall.”
沖縄 = Okinawa.
剛 = Hard, firm, or strong.
柔 = Soft, softness, flexible, supple, yielding, gentleness, or pliant.
館 = Hall, building, school room, or an alternate word for a dojo.
School of Japanese Martial Arts
大東流合気柔術 is Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, a Japanese martial art established by Takeda Sōkaku.
The most famous student of Daitō-Ryū Aiki-jūjutsu is Morihei Ueshiba who later founded the school or branch of martial arts known as Aikido.
Note: 大東流合気柔術 can also be romanized as Daito-ryu Aiki-Jujutsu, Daitou-Ryuu Aiki-Juujutsu or Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujitsu.
谦逊正直温柔忍耐克己不屈 are the virtues used by Choi Kwang Do Martial Arts.
English | Hanja | Hangul | Pronunciation |
1. Humility (Humble / Modesty) | 謙遜 | 겸손 | gyeom son |
2. Honesty (Integrity) | 正直 | 정직 | jeong jig |
3. Gentleness | 溫柔 | 온유 | on yu |
4. Perseverance (To Endure) | 忍耐 | 인내 | in nae |
5. Self-Control (Self-Restraint) | 克己 | 극기 | geug gi |
6. Unbreakable Spirit (Unyielding / Unbending) | 不屈 | 불굴 | bur gur |
The characters shown here are in the ancient Korean Hanja form of writing. If you wish for a Korean Hangul form of these tenets, we can arrange that with our Master Calligrapher Xing An-Ping (click on the Hangul next to the South Korean flag above to order this in Hangul).
Here is Galatians 5:22 and a bit of 23 in Chinese.
The text with punctuation:
圣灵所结的果子,就是仁爱,喜乐,和平,忍耐,恩慈,良善,信实,温柔,节制。
Hand-painted calligraphy does not retain punctuation.
This translation is from the Chinese Union Bible.
You may know it from the KJV as:
5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
5:23 Meekness, temperance...
Below are some entries from our dictionary that may match your 柔 search...
Characters If shown, 2nd row is Simp. Chinese |
Pronunciation Romanization |
Simple Dictionary Definition |
柔 see styles |
róu rou2 jou juu / ju じゅう |
More info & calligraphy: Heart of Judo(ant: 剛) softness; gentleness; weakness; (surname, female given name) Yawara Pliant, yielding, soft. |
剛柔 see styles |
goujuu / goju ごうじゅう |
More info & calligraphy: Cuong Nhu |
柔術 柔术 see styles |
róu shù rou2 shu4 jou shu juujutsu / jujutsu じゅうじゅつ |
More info & calligraphy: Jujitsu / Jujutsujujitsu (classical Japanese martial art, usually referring to fighting without a weapon); jiujitsu; jujutsu |
柔道 see styles |
róu dào rou2 dao4 jou tao juudou / judo じゅうどう |
More info & calligraphy: Judojudo |
溫柔 温柔 see styles |
wēn róu wen1 rou2 wen jou |
More info & calligraphy: Gentleness |
剛柔流 see styles |
goujuuryuu / gojuryu ごうじゅうりゅう |
More info & calligraphy: Goju Ryu |
柔軟性 see styles |
juunansei / junanse じゅうなんせい |
More info & calligraphy: Flexibility |
以柔克剛 以柔克刚 see styles |
yǐ róu kè gāng yi3 rou2 ke4 gang1 i jou k`o kang i jou ko kang |
More info & calligraphy: Flexibility Overcomes Strength |
優柔 优柔 see styles |
yōu róu you1 rou2 yu jou yuujuu / yuju ゆうじゅう |
gentle; carefree; indecisive; weak (noun or adjectival noun) (See 優柔不断) indecisive; irresolute; weak |
又柔 see styles |
yuujun / yujun ゆうじゅん |
(female given name) Yūjun |
寛柔 see styles |
hiroyasu ひろやす |
(personal name) Hiroyasu |
惠柔 see styles |
huì róu hui4 rou2 hui jou ejū |
gentle |
慧柔 see styles |
huì róu hui4 rou2 hui jou ejū |
gentle |
懐柔 see styles |
kaijuu / kaiju かいじゅう |
(noun, transitive verb) winning over; placation; gentle persuasion |
懷柔 怀柔 see styles |
huái róu huai2 rou2 huai jou |
to conciliate; to appease |
敦柔 see styles |
atsuyasu あつやす |
(personal name) Atsuyasu |
柔い see styles |
yawai; yakkoi やわい; やっこい |
(adjective) (1) soft; (adjective) (2) (やわい only) weak |
柔ら see styles |
yawara やわら |
judo; jujutsu |
柔一 see styles |
yasukazu やすかず |
(personal name) Yasukazu |
柔三 see styles |
juuzou / juzo じゅうぞう |
(personal name) Juuzou |
柔乃 see styles |
yuuno / yuno ゆうの |
(female given name) Yūno |
柔代 see styles |
yasuyo やすよ |
(personal name) Yasuyo |
柔伏 see styles |
róu fú rou2 fu2 jou fu jūfuku |
mollifies |
柔佛 see styles |
róu fó rou2 fo2 jou fo |
Johor (state of Malaysia at south of Malayan peninsula) |
柔作 see styles |
juusaku / jusaku じゅうさく |
(personal name) Juusaku |
柔剛 see styles |
juugou / jugo じゅうごう |
(given name) Juugou |
柔吉 see styles |
juukichi / jukichi じゅうきち |
(personal name) Juukichi |
柔和 see styles |
róu hé rou2 he2 jou ho nyuuwa / nyuwa にゅうわ |
gentle; soft (noun or adjectival noun) gentle; mild; meek; tender Gentle, forbearing, tolerant. |
柔培 see styles |
yube ゆべ |
(personal name) Yube |
柔壱 see styles |
juuichi / juichi じゅういち |
(personal name) Juuichi |
The following table may be helpful for those studying Chinese or Japanese...
Title | Characters | Romaji (Romanized Japanese) | Various forms of Romanized Chinese | |
Heart of Judo | 柔 | yawara | róu / rou2 / rou | jou |
Cuong Nhu | 剛柔 | gou juu / goujuu / go ju | gāng róu / gang1 rou2 / gang rou / gangrou | kang jou / kangjou |
Gentleness | 溫柔 温柔 | wēn róu / wen1 rou2 / wen rou / wenrou | wen jou / wenjou | |
Judo | 柔道 | juu dou / juudou / ju do | róu dào / rou2 dao4 / rou dao / roudao | jou tao / joutao |
Jujitsu Jujutsu | 柔術 柔术 | juu jutsu / juujutsu / ju jutsu | róu shù / rou2 shu4 / rou shu / roushu | jou shu / joushu |
Flexibility | 柔軟性 柔软性 | junansei | róu ruǎn xìng rou2 ruan3 xing4 rou ruan xing rouruanxing | jou juan hsing joujuanhsing |
Gojukan Goju-Kan | 剛柔館 刚柔馆 | gou juu kan goujuukan go ju kan | ||
Goju Ryu | 剛柔流 刚柔流 | gou juu ryuu goujuuryuu go ju ryu | ||
Lion Judo | 獅子柔道 狮子柔道 | shi shi juu dou shishijuudou shi shi ju do | shī zi róu dào shi1 zi5 rou2 dao4 shi zi rou dao shiziroudao | shih tzu jou tao shihtzujoutao |
Flexibility Overcomes Strength | 以柔克剛 以柔克刚 | yǐ róu kè gāng yi3 rou2 ke4 gang1 yi rou ke gang yiroukegang | i jou k`o kang ijoukokang i jou ko kang |
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Sorakage Jujutsu | 空影柔術 | sora kaga ju jutsu sorakagajujutsu | ||
Bushi-Ryu Jujutsu | 武士流柔術 | bu shi ryuu ju jutsu bushiryuujujutsu bu shi ryu ju jutsu | ||
Chowa-Ryu Jujitsu | 調和流柔術 调和流柔术 | chou wa ryuu ju jutsu chouwaryuujujutsu cho wa ryu ju jutsu | ||
Kanzen Goju-Ryu | 完全剛柔流 完全刚柔流 | kan zen gou juu ryuu kanzengoujuuryuu kan zen go ju ryu | ||
Kodokan Judo | 講道館柔道 讲道馆柔道 | kou dou kan juu dou koudoukanjuudou ko do kan ju do | ||
Okinawan Goju-Kan | 沖縄剛柔館 沖縄刚柔馆 | okinawa gou juu kan okinawagoujuukan okinawa go ju kan | ||
Goju Ryu Karate-Do | 剛柔流空手道 刚柔流空手道 | gou juu ryuu kara te dou goujuuryuukaratedou go ju ryu kara te do | ||
Aiki Jujutsu | 合気柔術 / 合氣柔術 合气柔术 | ai ki juu jutsu aikijuujutsu ai ki ju jutsu | ||
Daito-Ryu Aiki-jujutsu | 大東流合氣柔術 大東流合気柔術 | dai tou ryuu ai ki ju jutsu daitouryuuaikijujutsu dai to ryu ai ki ju jutsu | ||
Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate-Do | 沖縄剛柔流空手道 沖縄刚柔流空手道 | oki nawa gou juu ryuu kara te dou oki nawa go ju ryu kara te do | ||
Korean CKD Virtues | 謙遜正直溫柔忍耐克己不屈 谦逊正直温柔忍耐克己不屈 | qiān xùn zhèng zhí wēn róu rěn nài kè jǐ bù qū qian1 xun4 zheng4 zhi2 wen1 rou2 ren3 nai4 ke4 ji3 bu4 qu1 qian xun zheng zhi wen rou ren nai ke ji bu qu | ch`ien hsün cheng chih wen jou jen nai k`o chi pu ch`ü chien hsün cheng chih wen jou jen nai ko chi pu chü |
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Galatians 5:22-23 | 聖靈所結的果子就是仁愛喜樂和平忍耐恩慈良善信實溫柔節制 圣灵所结的果子就是仁爱喜乐和平忍耐恩慈良善信实温柔节制 | shèng líng suǒ jié de guǒ zi jiù shì rén ài xǐ lè he píng rěn nài ēn cí liáng shàn xìn shí wēn róu jié zhì sheng4 ling2 suo3 jie2 de guo3 zi jiu4 shi4 ren2 ai4 xi3 le4 he ping2 ren3 nai4 en1 ci2 liang2 shan4 xin4 shi2 wen1 rou2 jie2 zhi4 sheng ling suo jie de guo zi jiu shi ren ai xi le he ping ren nai en ci liang shan xin shi wen rou jie zhi | sheng ling so chieh te kuo tzu chiu shih jen ai hsi le ho p`ing jen nai en tz`u liang shan hsin shih wen jou chieh chih sheng ling so chieh te kuo tzu chiu shih jen ai hsi le ho ping jen nai en tzu liang shan hsin shih wen jou chieh chih |
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In some entries above you will see that characters have different versions above and below a line. In these cases, the characters above the line are Traditional Chinese, while the ones below are Simplified Chinese. |
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All of our calligraphy wall scrolls are handmade.
When the calligrapher finishes creating your artwork, it is taken to my art mounting workshop in Beijing where a wall scroll is made by hand from a combination of silk, rice paper, and wood.
After we create your wall scroll, it takes at least two weeks for air mail delivery from Beijing to you.
Allow a few weeks for delivery. Rush service speeds it up by a week or two for $10!
When you select your calligraphy, you'll be taken to another page where you can choose various custom options.
The wall scroll that Sandy is holding in this picture is a "large size"
single-character wall scroll.
We also offer custom wall scrolls in small, medium, and an even-larger jumbo size.
Professional calligraphers are getting to be hard to find these days.
Instead of drawing characters by hand, the new generation in China merely type roman letters into their computer keyboards and pick the character that they want from a list that pops up.
There is some fear that true Chinese calligraphy may become a lost art in the coming years. Many art institutes in China are now promoting calligraphy programs in hopes of keeping this unique form
of art alive.
Even with the teachings of a top-ranked calligrapher in China, my calligraphy will never be good enough to sell. I will leave that to the experts.
The same calligrapher who gave me those lessons also attracted a crowd of thousands and a TV crew as he created characters over 6-feet high. He happens to be ranked as one of the top 100 calligraphers in all of China. He is also one of very few that would actually attempt such a feat.
Check out my lists of Japanese Kanji Calligraphy Wall Scrolls and Old Korean Hanja Calligraphy Wall Scrolls.