I love your description of “the quiet magic of Japanese names”. Fascinating to see the different kanji options for your name… all beautiful and meaningful.
Thank you so much for your kind message! I actually included part of your beautiful comment when I shared about your name in kanji. I really appreciate your support!
I was gifted chopsticks with my name in katakana from the family of a boy I used to tutor. Four years, and I've still never used them. They're just too nice.
Thank you for the comment—I didn’t know that! In Japan, Miki is actually a very common name, though the meaning depends on the kanji. It’s really interesting how the same name can have such different meanings in other countries. For example, when I lived in Hungary, Miki was usually a boy’s name!
I’ve thought about it—“white cloud.” In Japanese, the word for white, 白, doesn’t naturally read as “Jo,” and 雲 meaning cloud also doesn’t match the sound “shu” in Joshuto. But I think 浄雫翔 (Joshuto) is close and makes a beautiful name! It means “pure droplet soaring”, evoking the image of a white cloud drifting gracefully in the sky.
I can think of the kanji for you, but as I mentioned in the newsletter, the actual personalized handwritten version is available only for paid subscribers. If you’re interested, now is a great time to subscribe—there are many giveaways and coupons starting in September. Thank you for understanding, as I want to prioritize my paid subscribers for now!
This name I created by combining names of two Zen masters ‘Joshua’ and ‘Tosu’. Joshu went to his master for spiritual awakening and his master was surprised with his height of consciousness but it too him 30 years to get awakened.
Another Zen master ‘Tosu’ used to live at a hilltop in Japan and he chose to remain without disciple.
People used to go to meet him and he used to send them back citing he has nothing to share except they can share few moments with him as he watches the landscape of the valley around. He was called as the watcher at the hill.
My life is combination of these two so I combined Joshu and ‘to’ of Tosu.
Life is not more than sudden formation and then gradual growth of white cloud in sky and then slow disappearance of it.
So white cloud is not exactly the meaning of word Joshuto but my meaning of it.
If it means ‘pure droplet soaring’ then definitely it is the droplet of the white cloud.
At this moment it is enough for me, will think about subscribing when situation will be favourable. Our family has a chance encounter with a newly married English speaking Japanese couple touring India after marriage in 1982. They have sent back our group photographs in colour with a letter, so I and my elder sister still have a dream to visit Japan some day.
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story and the meaning behind Joshuto. The way you connected the spirit of Joshu and Tosu with the imagery of the white cloud is truly inspiring—it carries such depth and gentleness.
It’s also wonderful to hear about your family’s encounter with the Japanese couple back in 1982. I really hope that you and your sister can make the dream of visiting Japan come true someday. When the time comes, I’d be more than happy to share any information or guidance you’d like to make your journey smoother and more meaningful.
Beautiful words Miki!
I love your description of “the quiet magic of Japanese names”. Fascinating to see the different kanji options for your name… all beautiful and meaningful.
Thank you so much for your kind message! I actually included part of your beautiful comment when I shared about your name in kanji. I really appreciate your support!
I was gifted chopsticks with my name in katakana from the family of a boy I used to tutor. Four years, and I've still never used them. They're just too nice.
Thank you for the comment! I do the same thing too—I have chopsticks with my name on them that were gifted by my friends, and I loved them!
I'll treasure them forever.
Interesting about your name Miki... in the native Hawaiian language is means alert, spry, conscious...
Thank you for the comment—I didn’t know that! In Japan, Miki is actually a very common name, though the meaning depends on the kanji. It’s really interesting how the same name can have such different meanings in other countries. For example, when I lived in Hungary, Miki was usually a boy’s name!
This is great to know! Requesting you to please write my nick name Joshuto in Kanji with meaning ‘white cloud’.
Thank you for the comment!
I’ve thought about it—“white cloud.” In Japanese, the word for white, 白, doesn’t naturally read as “Jo,” and 雲 meaning cloud also doesn’t match the sound “shu” in Joshuto. But I think 浄雫翔 (Joshuto) is close and makes a beautiful name! It means “pure droplet soaring”, evoking the image of a white cloud drifting gracefully in the sky.
I can think of the kanji for you, but as I mentioned in the newsletter, the actual personalized handwritten version is available only for paid subscribers. If you’re interested, now is a great time to subscribe—there are many giveaways and coupons starting in September. Thank you for understanding, as I want to prioritize my paid subscribers for now!
This name I created by combining names of two Zen masters ‘Joshua’ and ‘Tosu’. Joshu went to his master for spiritual awakening and his master was surprised with his height of consciousness but it too him 30 years to get awakened.
Another Zen master ‘Tosu’ used to live at a hilltop in Japan and he chose to remain without disciple.
People used to go to meet him and he used to send them back citing he has nothing to share except they can share few moments with him as he watches the landscape of the valley around. He was called as the watcher at the hill.
My life is combination of these two so I combined Joshu and ‘to’ of Tosu.
Life is not more than sudden formation and then gradual growth of white cloud in sky and then slow disappearance of it.
So white cloud is not exactly the meaning of word Joshuto but my meaning of it.
If it means ‘pure droplet soaring’ then definitely it is the droplet of the white cloud.
At this moment it is enough for me, will think about subscribing when situation will be favourable. Our family has a chance encounter with a newly married English speaking Japanese couple touring India after marriage in 1982. They have sent back our group photographs in colour with a letter, so I and my elder sister still have a dream to visit Japan some day.
Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful story and the meaning behind Joshuto. The way you connected the spirit of Joshu and Tosu with the imagery of the white cloud is truly inspiring—it carries such depth and gentleness.
It’s also wonderful to hear about your family’s encounter with the Japanese couple back in 1982. I really hope that you and your sister can make the dream of visiting Japan come true someday. When the time comes, I’d be more than happy to share any information or guidance you’d like to make your journey smoother and more meaningful.