Fine Japanese Calligraphy

The Art of Master Japanese Calligrapher Eri Takase

First Know Yourself Then Know Others

先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ (mazu onore wo shire shikashite ta wo shire)

The original Japanese uses "dzu" which is no longer used and has been replaced by "zu" in modern Japanese. Most renditions of the Niju Kun use the original form, though one does commonly see both. We have opted to use the original "dzu" so "mazu" is actually written "madzu". The trick is even though it is written "madzu" it is still pronounced "mazu".
先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ — Block
First Know Yourself Then Know Others Block Vertical
先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ — Cursive
First Know Yourself Then Know Others Cursive Vertical
先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ — Design
First Know Yourself Then Know Others Design Vertical
先づ自己を知れ而して他を知れ — Semi-Cursive
First Know Yourself Then Know Others Semi-Cursive Vertical