Polite to Host
Cultural · Traditional · Arts
先生の書は、とても力強く美しいですね。私も挑戦してみたいと思いました。 — Your calligraphy is so powerful and beautiful. It made me want to try it myself. (Cultural · Traditional · Arts, Polite to Host, JLPT N3)
You
先生の書は、とても力強く美しいですね。私も挑戦してみたいと思いました。
せんせいのしょは、とてもちからづよくうつくしいですね。わたしもちょうせんしてみたいとおもいました。
Your calligraphy is so powerful and beautiful. It made me want to try it myself.
Romaji: Sensei no sho wa, totemo chikarazuyoku utsukushii desu ne. Watashi mo chousen shite mitai to omoimashita. / Reply Romaji: Iya iya, mada mada desu. Zehi issho ni yarimashou.
Reply
いやいや、まだまだです。ぜひ一緒にやりましょう。
いやいや、まだまだです。ぜひいっしょにやりましょう。
Oh no, I still have so much to learn. By all means, let's do it together.
Gesture & etiquette
Stand at a respectful viewing distance — about 1 meter — from the calligraphy work. Tilt your head slightly to show attentive appreciation. When making eye contact with the teacher to deliver the compliment, bow lightly at about 15 degrees. Avoid touching the calligraphy paper or brushes without explicit invitation.
Expressing a desire to try (chousen shite mitai) is one of the most pleasing responses you can give a traditional arts teacher in Japan — it signals genuine appreciation rather than mere politeness. The teacher will likely deflect with 'mada mada' (I'm still learning) — respond with another small bow and a warm smile.