Welcome to the Kanji Collection by Dahni

   This collection of original art, photography and haiku poetry was born from our trip to Japan in 2006.

   Haiku poems traditionally have 3 lines with the first & the third line each with 5 syllables and the second has seven. Haiku poems usually have nature themes.

   Kanji is an oriental pictorial or symbolic language. Kanji is also used as official signatures for identification purposes. For this purpose, no two kanji are identical like fingerprints and are often accepted instead of a signature.  Kanji is thoroughly researched by a master before it is granted for signature/identification purpose. Often artists use one that is more stylistic than traditional kanji.

   While in Japan, I was able to obtain my own Kanji as you see in the image above. Part of this is based on the sounds of my name, dah + ni (knee).  The meaning in Japanese would be snake + man or Samurai warrior. It could symbolize a snake coiled, ready to strike or a Samurai warrior  with his blade held aloft, but not in a threatening manner. Both of these definitions would imply wisdom. I am not sure how wise I am, but this is the meaning of my name in Japanese anyway.

   I was also born in the month of December in 1953, which according to Japanese astrology, was the year of the snake. So this is how I was able to obtain my own kanji for artistic purposes and even legal identification in Japan.

   Kanji is traditionally stamped with an ink pad and special stamp (as shown in the picture above). The traditional color is called 'Chinese Red.' The rest of the kanji is often hand lettered or signed, with a brush.

   I hope you enjoy the Kanji - Haiku Collection!

click the swans to continue

 Notes: National Anthem of Japan mp3