Japanese Kanji Saying　一生懸命 'Going all out' Proverb T-Shirt

Isshou kenmei(いっしょうけんめい in hiragana script) is to do something with all your might, going all out, as if your life is on the line. When choosing idioms for my shirt selection, I often come across new ones that I'd never heard, and it becomes a fun form of study for me. In this case though, I was surprised to discover that an expression that I often use and hear but didn't realise is such an idiom in fact is! It refers to putting your heart and soul into something, not holding anything back. An admirable attitude and a key to success. Perhaps this is so often heard because process is so highly valued in Japan, in addition to results. This is part of my collection of shirts and such that feature idioms that are made up of four kanji characters. These 'yoji jukugo' (四字熟語） compounds are required study for Japanese children and appear on school entrance exams, as well as in the conversation of well read people. They are linguistic gems, conveying meaning compactly, colourfully, and quite often, profoundly! Using them in speech shows that you have a feel for the culture as well as the language,as they are often infused with references to such things as classical Chinese and Japanese literature and history and Buddhist precepts. Japanese people are often surprised when foreigners know such expressions and can use them in the right context. Wearing this shirt and remembering how to read it is a great way to motivate yourself to go beyond the surface level of Japanese language and culture studies and explore the nuances that make Japan so endlessly interesting!