Meikyō Shisui (明鏡止水 - Clear and Serene)

Oct 17, 2023 18:09
Meikyō Shisui

When someone's mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, the state is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).

Since 'mei' (明) means "clear," and 'kyō' (鏡) means "mirror," 'meikyō' (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."

In addition, 'shi' (止) means "still," and 'sui' (水) means "water," so 'shisui' (止水) means "water that is still."

Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."
明鏡止水

一切の邪念がなく、澄み切った状態の心のことを、「明鏡止水」と表現することがあります。

「明」は "clear"、「鏡」は "mirror" を意味し、「明鏡」で「一点の曇りもない鏡」という意味になります。

また、「止」は "still"、「水」は "water" を意味し、「止水」で「流れずに留まっている水」という意味になります。

「明鏡」も「止水」も、ものの姿や形をありのままに写し出すことができるものであり、そこから「清らかな心」の比喩として用いられるようになったというわけです。
No. 1 O-Star
  • Meikyō Shisui (明鏡止水 - Clear and Serene)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Meikyō Shisui
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • When someone's mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, the state is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Since 'mei' (明) means "clear," and 'kyō' (鏡) means "mirror," 'meikyō' (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • In addition, 'shi' (止) means "still", and 'sui' (水) means "water," so 'shisui' (止水) means "water that is still."
  • In addition, 'shi' (止) means "still", and 'sui' (水) means "water," so 'shisui' (止水) means "still water/water that is still."
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a clear mind.
Toru
Thank you for the correction!
O-Star
You're welcome!
No. 2 friendfromfaraway
  • Meikyō Shisui (明鏡止水 - Clear and Serene)
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • When someone's mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, the state is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).
  • When someone's state of mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, it is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).
  • Since 'mei' (明) means "clear," and 'kyō' (鏡) means "mirror," 'meikyō' (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."
  • This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things exactly as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."

Combined with your lesson on "画竜点睛" the other day, "明鏡止水". reminds me of the game Final Fantasy 7, and certain 必殺技 from that game!

Toru
Thank you for the correction!
I see! Such idioms sound really cool as names for skills in games. I haven't played FF7 yet, but I'm thinking of trying it out soon. :)
friendfromfaraway
FF7 is a masterpiece! I played the original in English on PlayStation 1. Some day I want to play the whole game in Japanese.
No. 3 Oldgaijin
  • When someone's mind is completely free of distraction and is perfectly clear, the state is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).
  • A mind completely free of distraction and perfectly clear is sometimes described as 'meikyō shisui' (明鏡止水).
  • Since 'mei' (明) means "clear," and 'kyō' (鏡) means "mirror," 'meikyō' (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."
  • Since 'mei' (明) means "clear", and 'kyō' (鏡) is "mirror", 'meikyō' (明鏡) means "a clear and spotless mirror."
  • In addition, 'shi' (止) means "still," and 'sui' (水) means "water," so 'shisui' (止水) means "water that is still."
  • In addition, 'shi' (止) means "still", and 'sui' (水) is "water", so 'shisui' (止水) means "water that is still."
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are, which is why the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind."
  • Both 'meikyo' and 'shisui' can reflect the shape and form of things as they are; hence, the idiom 'meikyō shisui' has come to be used as a metaphor for a "clear mind".
Toru
Thank you for correcting my entry!