Japanese Calligraphy: 雪 Yuki (Snow)

The 3rd winter session will focus on character 雪 Yuki (Snow) and explore The Art of Winter. In Japan, Yuki, the snow represents the beauty of winter, as the flowers of the spring and the moon of the autumn. Yuki refers to the idea of purity, fragility and beauty. However, in the Northern part of Japan where it snows heavily every winter, despite the beauty, the snow is considered as a “white devil” which brings death. In Japanese folklore, there is a female spirit, called Yuki-onna (雪女, “snow woman”) that is often depicted in Japanese literature, films, or animation. Yuki-onna appears on snowy nights as a tall, beautiful woman with long black hair, blue lips and wearing a white Kimono. She blows out an ice-cold breath to men and freezes them to death. Yuki, the snow, like the story of Yuki Onna, represents serene beauty as well as fear.