The CSEA Motto

The CSEA Motto

東学西光

 

Read as "tōgaku saikō", the CSEA motto means "Eastern Learning, Western Light", and was created by Dr. George T. Sipos. The idea behind it is to capture in a four-character traditional yojijukugo format, the essence of the Center for East Asian Studies at the West University of Timisoara. While "Eastern Learning" is the research focus of our Center, "Western Light" contains several references to the Faculty of Letters, History and Theology where the Center is hosted, and whose name is abbreviated in Romanian LIT (Litere, Istorie, Teologie)/"light", as well as to the West University of Timisoara, "western". Moreover, the reading assigned to the compound, saikō, is the same as the reading for the Japanese word 最高 meaning "the best", thus invoking the university motto: "Become Your Best... at the West!"

The CSEA has already invited several Japanese and Chinese calligraphy experts and masters from around the world to collaborate with us in producing calligraphy works with the Center motto. The results, alongside performance videos, as available, will be posted on our website with their author's introductions.