The World of Kanji 9788469796252

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THE WORLD OF KANJI Alex Adler

THE WORLD OF KANJI Learn 2136 Japanese characters through real etymologies by

Alex Adler

© Copyright Alex Adler 2018 All rights reserved

No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Published & Designed by Alex Adler more at https://gumroad.com/alexadler

ISBN 978-84-697-9625-2 Ebook Version

Contents Foreword

5

Arms

130

Acknowledgements

6

Feet

134

Preface

8

Review on Limbs

141 142

Introduction to Kanji

13

THE NATURAL REALM

Guidelines for Reading Kanji

24

Elements of Nature

Guidelines for Writing Kanji

27

Energy

145

How to Use this Book

34

Stars

159

Explanation of Entries

38

Water

169

THE HUMAN REALM

42

Fire

186

Earth

190

People The Upright Man

45

Heaven

205

The Different Postures

49

Review on Elements

210

Women and Gestation

54

Plants

The Individual and Society

60

Small Plants

212

Human Measures

70

Trees

237

Review on People

72

Grains

263

Review on Plants

277

Human Body Bones

73

Animals

Heart

81

Oviparous

279

Eyes

84

Mammals

295

Nose, Ears and Hair

89

Animal Manipulation

317

Mouth

92

Silk Production

320

Review on Animals

333

THE MATERIAL REALM

335

Review on Human Body

105

Limbs Hands

106

Everyday Objects

3

Wooden Objects

338

The Circular Plane

592

Bamboo Objects

358

Review on Spaces

625

Cloths

361

Constructions

Review on Everyday Objects

375

Walls and Roofs

627

Doors

659

Tools Counting Tools

376

Tall Buildings

668

Monetary Tools

384

Roads

676

Work Tools

396

Review on Constructions

695

Nets and Baskets

412

APPENDICES & INDICES

697

Review on Tools

423

Syllabaries

698

Semantic Components

702

Vessels Food and Drinking Vessels

424

Phonosemantic Components

704

Bags and Boxes

446

Strong Phonetic Components

707

Plates and Trays

457

Onyomi Readings Index

713

Boats

469

Kunyomi Readings Index

726

Review on Vessels

475

Radicals’ Main Meanings

742

THE TERRITORIAL REALM

477

Radicals Index

745

2136 Characters Index

746

Resources

761

Weapons Daggers

480

Pole Weapons

497

Axes

517

Defensive Weapons

526

Bows and Arrows

528

Review on Weapons

551

Spaces The Vertical Plane

553

The Horizontal Plane

578

4

Foreword

Chinese characters—or kanji—looks mysterious and exotic at first glance, and this is why it is fascinating for many: they arouse curiosity. This fascinating mystery is also a tool used daily by millions of people, and anyone who aspires to be able to communicate with it will have to decipher the mystery inescapably. The method of decipherment chosen, however, will undoubtedly influence the learning experience of the student for better or worse, so one has to be serious about the way to approach the characters. This book is written with the intention to be one of the helpful and favorable approaches. The World of Kanji is conceived as a tool for deciphering the mystery of Chinese characters by trying to keep in the student that initial fascination summoned by curiosity throughout the entire learning process, for kanji may be more captivating as one sips deeper into its unexpected coherence and symbolism that is pointed out throughout the book. I see kanji as a fascinating writing system because, in a figurative way, it represents an almost poetic world that serves as a conceptual link between words and ideas, something that, in turn, can be used with great effectiveness by the student to learn the characters himself. The symbolic and associative power of kanji, however, is hidden in the contemporary glyphs behind a linearization and a graphical simplification of the primitive pictograms and ideograms. The aim of the present book is, thus, to help the student decipher the original intended meanings to better understand the direct graphical relationships between Chinese characters and the world of ideas they represent, a world that I have tried to reveal and analyze for you: The World of Kanji

5

Acknowledgements

The conception of this book has only been possible thanks to the 2044 people from all over the world who supported this adventurous project with all their generosity and warmth in the funding campaign of summer, 2017. My most sincere thanks to all those people and the Kickstarter team for making this possible. Special mention to:

María Teresa Arroyo

Sean Pelkey

Alexander Alderete

Alonso Schaich

Eunbyol Choi

Samantha Walker

Carlos A. MonrroyTinoco

Daniel Senf

Tracey Booth and Olivier Van Acker William J. Hartley Jarrett S.K. Jenny Andrew Smith

Shifu Jennifer StJohn

Bastiaan Thomas Burger

Vesko Gavrilov

Eric Wells

Sami El Khalifa

Chris O'Mara

Neasa O'Sullivan

Søren Larsen

Alexey Kazantsev

Xeon Xai

Paul Anguiano

Tariq Azeez Hasanradja

Jenny Reed and Vicky Staubly

Tobias Hultman

Andre Chartier, MD

Tida

Mike Williams

Isaac

Martin Grant

Brad Hansen

Dr. Jim Laughton

Michael M. McFall

Daniel Walker

Fiikragg

Dr. Valentin Precup

Dodzidenu Dzakuma

Abner Isaac M. Alvarado

Jared Trezise

Michael Negron

Gregory Bevens

Robert D. Moser

Michael Tucker Daniels Dekters

Aaron Chuang

Lisa Ingrid Zech Shinyuu Gian Piero Santini

Marc Tischhauser 6

Alex Tucker

Luis B. Mora

Dale Thoms

Emmanuel Miranda

Josh Smith

Steven Nakamura

Ryan Wallace

Natan Akira Bussers

Nicky Bramley

Menny Castro

Franklin E. Powers, Jr.

Steven Dove

Luke Bennett

Adam Andrzej Jaworski

Iskandar Azani

Joshua Buchanan Yoshiaki Obara

Fabian "throtran" Otte

Mohammad Alzamel

level1imp

Alphonso N. Dandridge

Thomas Shaw

Sus and Barrie

Olaf Schuchardt

Rik Smale

Van Daatselaar Family

Otto Hubacher

Matthew Ruhl

Fabrissou

Anthony Barker

Mateo Gomez

Ebrahim Al-Bishri

Jörg Sonnenberger

Susumu Binford

Ghashghai Atabak

Sarah Beamish

Jdjfusion

Veleath Yea

Wanda Aasen

Jakob Mœller

Brent Atkinson

Dimitri van Dijk

James Welch

Nicholas James Schlavensky

James Watson

Timm Knape

Karli Ann Bailey Randolph Kent Wilson III

Berto Castelo

Savannah Barber

Giacomo ジャコモ Boccardo

Cris P. Advincula, Jr.

Dread Lioness

Alison Kidd

Lester F. Callif

Matt Edmiston

Tyler Romeo

Alex Doroshenko

Dodzidenu Dzakuma

Saz Wells

Georgina Toland

Alonso Schaich

Christopher Prusinski

Michael A. Desbrow

Emmanuel Miranda

Craig Sider

David A. Blake

Jonathan Vauhkonen

Andrew Hamblen

Douglas, Kiyan, and Barrie Lew

Heidi Kathrin Harnisch

Andreas Looser

Xenon Ventures


Duckiedale

7

Preface

THE DIFFICULTIES

OF

KANJI

Every student of Japanese knows how difficult and overwhelming learning kanji 1 can be. Every time you learn a new word in Japanese you have to learn not only how that word is pronounced, but also how to write the specific character (kanji) used to represent that word. In addition, it turns out that the same character can be pronounced in different ways depending on which word it is found in. In addition, the number of characters that the Japanese Ministry of Education prescribes as necessary to be considered proficient in reading Japanese reaches 2136 units. Learning 2136 different characters, with their different ways of reading, is not an easy task at any rate, and it becomes even more challenging if you want to memorize them as you encounter them in your everyday life, without an apparent logical order. But unfortunately for almost every first-time student of Japanese, that will be the first obstacle he will have to face in his attempt to understand what all those jumbled symbols that appear in a Japanese text mean: the lack of logic and structure in the learning and understanding of kanji. In most teaching programs, kanji is introduced as you learn new vocabulary, perhaps with some advice on how to remember such and such character, but, in truth, this method is based on engraving the characters in your memory using brute force. This, basically, has been the method always used in the countries where this writing system is practiced (China, Japan, Taiwan and, until recently, Korea). In these countries, children obviously end up learning what they have to learn and, when they are adults, they are able to read any text in their native language full of Chinese characters. This “brute force” method is ultimately effective in these countries because: 1. A young child may not need so much a logical and coherent system to acquire new knowledge because his brain is still permeable and all new knowledge is impregnated with more vehemence from the beginning; 2. They have teachers behind them who force them to memorize each character, the non memorization does not exist for them as an easy escape route option; 3. The native language of these students is full of words originating directly from Chinese characters (kanji) and they will be exposed to them every day, over many hours, all throughout the learning process; and 4. This learning process expands over years and years, from the time the individual is a young child until he or she reaches the age of college, i.e. over the entire period of time covered by compulsory schooling.

Kanji (漢字): Logographic characters of Chinese origin used in Japanese writing.

8

The big difficulty comes when an adult student who is not brought up in the countries where kanji is used in a natural way tries to follow the method used in these countries. Trying to do so would be a great disadvantage for the adventurous student for the following reasons: 1. A trained adult holds in his mind a whole cognitive structure that will directly clash with the lack of logic and supposed arbitrariness—most adults not only want to learn but also to understand; 2. An adult's life is not about learning, learning rather becomes a complement to their everyday complexities. In other words, an adult is not usually “forced” to memorize a whole series of “meaningless” characters, but usually does so as a direct choice of his own or as an indirect result of his own choice; 3. To a student of Kanji in whose language these graphic elements have no presence, the sinitic characters will present a whole new paradigm about which everything is obscure and mysterious at first, since he will not feel any relation to it whatsoever (even though the common adult man already has much knowledge, little or none of it will help him with kanji). The lack of past and present reference—unless the student lives in Japan—it is an obstacle that makes the said brute memorization even more difficult; 4. An adult who wants to learn Japanese does not have over ten years of schooling at his disposal anymore to learn how to read or write the language. As we can see, following the system used by the Chinese or the Japanese can be regarded as a truly ineffective method. It will be much more convenient for the adult learner to use a system that best suits his or her circumstances. It is true that the circumstances of each individual may vary greatly, but the target reader of this book who wants to use it as a method of learning will most likely share these two characteristics: 1. He is not a child in primary school; 2. He has not been raised in Chinese or Japanese. The individual who meets the above two characteristics will need a method for learning kanji that allows him to learn these characters as quickly and efficiently as possible. An efficient method of learning will have to solve the problems addressed in the preceding paragraphs: it will have to give logic and meaning to the seemingly chaotic set of kanji; it will have to enthuse, motivate and instill curiosity in the student in an organic and natural way; it will have to be entertaining enough so that the student does not quickly or easily consider the option of abandoning his commitment. The method used will also have to be able to provide a new paradigmatic model to underpin gradual learning; and finally, it will have to be efficient in the sense that it allows the student to learn kanji in the shortest time possible. The main objective of this book is, therefore, no less than to serve as a solution to the problem of traditional kanji learning in keeping with the characteristics described above.

9

THE SOLUTION

TO THE

DIFFICULTIES OF KANJI

Compiling a method for learning kanji in the form of a book, that is able to reveal the logic and meaning of Chinese characters, is entertaining and encouraging, provides a foundation for gradual study, and provides a saving in time invested, is not an easy task. There have been some attempts to provide a methodology with the above mentioned objectives through the use memorization techniques based on mental associations invented by the different authors2. The contradiction of those pioneering methods is that in the end that system which, in principle, was intended to provide a rationale, eventually ends up losing cohesion, and the student ultimately ends up using memorization through brute force or even wasting more time and effort inventing his or her own associative histories for each character. The clear solution to this problem of lack of logic and cohesion is to look at the true composition of Chinese characters by examining their real etymology, that is, their compositional origin, since these logograms were not created randomly, but following a very cohesive conceptual logic. Learning the composition of kanji in an orderly manner makes its memorization happen naturally and progressively without the need of an extra effort, be it on the creative process of mnemonic associations or on the illogical and incoherent memorization by means of mere repetition. The most basic logograms or characters are symbolic representations of images that can be easily associated with everyday life concepts. The rest of the characters are mixtures or compositions made between two or more basic logograms. Essentially, this means that the vast majority of kanji or Chinese characters are related to each other and are much easier to study them if the student is able to see these relationships in a clear and orderly way from the start. In the Eastern academic world there are several publications 3 that deal with this fact of the logical and coherent composition of Chinese characters in a quite reliable way through etymological studies, but it is evident that they are not addressed to new students of Chinese characters, but to people who use them on a daily basis. In the West there are also some publications on this subject, such as Cecilia Lindqvist's Empire of Living Symbols (2007), in which a fairly revealing and concise etymological analysis is made. That book, however, is not addressed to the student of Japanese kanji and does not cover all the characters necessary to be able to read and write this language. It is apparent, then, that a book was needed to provide the new student of kanji with a system that takes advantage of the etymological composition of Chinese characters in a way that is fully adapted to the

2

E.g.: Remember the Kanji (James Heisig, 1985) ; kanjidamage.com

3

Ej: 漢字樹 (廖文豪, 2011) ; 漢字の世界 (白川 静, 2001), 漢字百話 (白川 静, 1977)

10

learning of the Japanese language as a whole, so that this learning becomes fluid, organic and also faster and more efficient than “traditional” systems. The unsuccessful pursuit of such a method during my student years and the acknowledgement of its absence is what ultimately led me to compose the present book. By writing The World of Kanji my intention was to offer a learning instrument that, encompassing the 2136 kanji of the official list for literacy provided by the Japanese ministry of education, gives the student a cohesive and gradual course of study using the actual etymologies of characters and their compositional logic. The student, with the help of this book, will progressively learn the basic components that make up the set of characters and the related characters that combine those elements, so that everything starts to assume such a powerful logic that the student will even be able to interpret by himself the approximate meaning of new characters. At the same time, thanks to the etymological explanations and structured arrangement of the kanji, once the student learns a new character, he will not be able to forget it. The World of Kanji is thus intended to be an innovative and integrated system useful for irreversibly memorizing the kanji essential for reading and writing Japanese in a fast and efficient way.

CHARACTERISTICS

OF THIS

BOOK

As I have stated so far, the purpose of this book is, in short, to minimize the difficulty of the already complicated learning process of kanji. To this end, special emphasis is placed on memorizing the meaning of each character, while at the same time I intend to facilitate the identification of patterns of phonetic parity. Such memorization is guided through the use of an ordered structure based on a thematic categorization derived from the real etymologies of each character. The World of Kanji, then, unlike other books, offers etymology— explained in an accessible and straightforward manner—as a fundamental help for memorization. This book also offers a gradual arrangement of primitive characters and subsequent compounds, with a thematic background so the learning process can maintain a solid cohesion that will facilitate the association between components. Finally, The World of Kanji has also the goal to facilitate the reading and writing of the Japanese language, which is why it covers the 2136 characters needed for enabling this task. Although the main target reader of this book is the student of Japanese, it is worth mentioning that it can also be quite appealing for the curious one who has a little interest in the etymology of Chinese characters, and also for the person who already knows kanji, but simply needs a reference book to reinforce his knowledge (the book has several indexes at the end to fulfill such a function). 11

As a final note, I will say that to get the most out of the learning system presented here, it is recommended, before embarking on the study of characters, to acquire some fundamental notions of how they were formed and how they are graphically structured. The reader will be able to inquire into these specifications in the following introductory section. I hope this book is to your liking and that you can make the most of it.

Alex Adler January 2018

12

Introduction to kanji

JAPANESE

AND

KANJI

One of the unique features of the Japanese language compared to other languages is its writing system. The Japanese language does not use an alphabet to represent every word and sound, rather there are two syllabaries (hiragana and katakana) and at least 2136 logographic characters of Chinese origin called kanji. Hiragana is used for some of the words of purely Japanese origin and various lexemes with grammatical functions. On the other hand, katakana is used for words of foreign origin, onomatopoeia or emphasized words. Finally, kanji is used for the roots of a large number of common words and for almost all the words composed of affixes of Chinese origin taken in Japanese in the same way that Indo-European languages adopt prefixes and suffixes of Greco-Latin origin. This complication places a burden on students of Japanese who are not familiar with Chinese characters, since they have to learn not only two different syllabaries, but also a large number of new symbols that seem arbitrary at first. This book seeks to break with this arbitrariness by offering students of Japanese a logical system based on the original etymology of kanji and the orderly attainment of its learning that endows each character with meaning and renders them with a rational understanding.

WHAT

IS

KANJI?

Kanji is the group of logograms originated in Chinese writing—sinograms —adapted to the Japanese language. A logogram is a graphic character that indicates a meaning and, in most cases, also a sound or phoneme associated with it. A kanji is, more concisely, a graphical representation of a semantic concept (meaning) that in turn is represented by a certain pronunciation (sound) interpreted according to the phonetic patterns of the Japanese language. The semantic correspondence of kanji with the original sinograms and, consequently, with the characters used in China today, is in most cases maintained to this date. That is why, for example, the character 人 means ‘person’ in both Chinese and Japanese. However, while Chinese always treats the phonetic correspondence of characters in the same way (it gives each character only one reading), in Japanese the same character can be read in different ways. 13

In Chinese, 人 will always be read as rén, but in Japanese its reading will vary depending on whether the character appears as a single word or as an affix forming part of a compound word. The logogram 人, in the case of functioning as a standalone character, representing a monolexemic word, will be read in Japanese as hito, while if it acts as an affix, it will adopt a pronunciation of Chinese origin, as in the word 人生 (jinsei), ‘human life’, where 人 is read jin—or the word 人間 (ningen), ‘human’, where 人 is pronounced nin. Using the example above, we see that a kanji adopts a different reading depending on whether it appears on its own or as a component of a word. In the former case, the reading—usually representing a word of purely Japanese origin—is called kunyomi or ‘semantic reading’, while in the latter case, the reading—representing a phoneme adapted from Middle Chinese pronunciation—is called onyomi or ‘phonetic reading’. This is a widely applied rule that, however, can sometimes be broken, as the Japanese language learner will see throughout his learning process. Be that as it may, in most cases, each kanji has a corresponding kunyomi and onyomi reading—or sometimes just an onyomi reading. Nevertheless, in the most common characters it can be also the case that a variety of different kunyomi readings have been adopted due to the semantic versatility of such character. In addition, there also can be a variation of onyomi readings due to the different phonetic adaptations that have been made through time. Although there is a certain consistency in the case of onyomi or phonetic readings and their graphical representation in each kanji, the student of Japanese will have no choice but to learn these variations independently of the graphical form of the character through both focus and exposure to kanji and its use within the context of the Japanese written language.

THE IMPORTANCE

AND

UNIQUENESS OF KANJI

The reader may wonder or have wondered why kanji has been continually used by the Japanese, when they could have adopted a phonetic alphabet like the Latin, or even make an exclusive use of their already present hiragana and katakana syllabaries. This issue has also been raised on numerous occasions by the Japanese themselves, but despite the introduction of certain restrictions and standardizations, in the end it has always been decided to preserve the usage of kanji. In order to understand the reasons for the conservation of kanji, customary considerations aside, it is necessary first to understand the intrinsic functionalities of Chinese characters as individual elements and also as elements integrated within a systematic set. As I will explain more in detail later on, each kanji is, or is composed of, an essential component that represents a concrete idea. That 14

is, each character refers to a particular concept or a sum of concepts that together generate a new concept. A concept, basically, is a mental representation that is associated with a material or abstract meaning (idea). Such representation is usually made by means of a symbol, so to say, an element which, by convention or association, is considered to be representative of an identity. In the case of languages with an alphabetical writing system, the symbols used are merely phonetic. The letters symbolize sounds that together form the pronunciation of a word with a certain meaning. In contrast, sinitic symbols as kanji do not only have phonetic associations (a posteriori), but are visual symbols themselves. In other words, each kanji or component is in origin associated not with a sound but with an image. Nevertheless, these representative images are not arbitrary, they are pictographic elements, strokes that deliberately seek a visual similarity with the object or concept to be represented. This type of symbolism can be addressed with the term icon, since an ‘icon’ is a sign that holds a certain degree of resemblance with the represented object. Kanji are not mere symbols, but icons in their own right, so they assume a meaningful identity of their own. To exemplify what has been noted, I will discuss the kanji 手 and 足. The kanji 手, originally , is the graphic representation of an open hand. This kanji is clearly referring to the idea of ‘hand’. Conversely, the kanji 足 is the graphic evolution of the icon , which represents a leg attached to a foot, thus symbolizing the concepts of ‘leg and foot’. With a single pictographic symbol, the reader will be able to visually summon the concept of ‘hand’ or ‘foot’ accordingly. On the contrary, if the reader sees the words hand or foot written, he will mentally read the words and then associate the reproduced phonemes with the concepts to which they refer. The essential difference when encountering a visual icon instead of phonetic symbols is the immediacy of the associative progression. Although in reality this difference is of milliseconds, when this symbolic construction evolves into an interconnected system, that difference becomes more apparent and affects in a distinct way the mental processes and the relationship that the reader maintains with his written language. The immediate visual association provided by kanji allows the reader, for example, to examine the subject matter of a text more quickly by locating several key icons, as the connection between symbol and concept is made faster by visual association than by phonetics. That is why, on signage and placards that intend to convey a direct and forceful message, graphic symbols are often used instead of written words. A further incentive of the primordial sinitic characters or logograms of Chinese origin is that, as I mentioned before, they not only act as individual icons of their own, but also as constituent elements of new icons, both in the formation of words and new characters. Taking the examples used above, we can see how 手 (hand) and 足 (foot), besides being independent icons, they act as components of a new kanji and a new word.

15

If we combine 手 and 足 to form a new character, we get the kanji 捉 4, which symbolizes the image of a hand bumping into a foot and represents the meaning of ‘to capture’. Besides, the element 足, pronounced with its onyomi reading as soku, is also used here as a phonetic guide, because 捉 adopts the same phoneme soku for its reading. We see that kanji composition can be made not only through logical elements, but also through logical and phonetic elements, turning the new characters formed in this way into logographic hieroglyphics. On the other hand, if we take the same elements but place them next to each other this time as individual kanjis, we get the word 手足, hand and foot, which, indeed, means ‘hand and foot’ or ‘hands and feet’. CONCEPT (e.g. ‘hand’)

➡ ! IMAGE

+

! SYMBOL

➡

⼿

ICON

➡ COMPOSITE ICON (e.g. 手 + 足 ➝ 捉) As we see, each essential logogram acts as a formative link, thus providing an intuitive cohesion to the whole set of writing systems based on Chinese characters, since the whole frame of complex kanji and words formed by them is based on these compositional principles that are also, in many cases, self-explanatory. When we talk about kanji we are talking then, in short, about a writing system that directly reinforces visual thought, something that purely phonetic systems cannot claim. To conclude with the argument about the importance of using Chinese characters, I will refer to the more obvious practical reasons against not using them in Japanese. The Japanese language, known for its simple phonetic system of only five vowels and lack of consonant clusters,

4

The element 手, when used as a component, gets its original form simplified to ⺘扌.

16

is characterized by the use of particularly long words and grammatical constructions and by a remarkable amount of homophones. In such circumstances, kanji efficiently solves the two main problems that can arise from writing such a language: the problem of space and the problem of semantic ambiguity. Kanji, if read with their kunyomi readings, allows to abridge in a single character a word that would require several phonetic symbols if written in a phonetic system, thus considerably reducing the space required to write that particular word. This is how, for example, the word ashi (‘foot’) goes from two to one character if we convert it from kana to kanji (あし ➝ 足). As for the problem of semantic ambiguity, it is evident how a visual icon with its own meaning is able to define the meaning of a word independently of its sound. Thus, for example, the word fusoku, which can mean three different things5, goes from being completely ambiguous out of context if written phonetically, to being able to be interpreted at a glance if written in kanji. We can say that, specifically in Japanese, the complete abandonment of the use of kanji could ultimately prove to be more detrimental than helpful, and after all, this unique writing system is one of the elements that draws many students’ attention towards the language, not to mention that, once a considerable number of them have been learned, the student will be able to guess the meaning of new words not only in Japanese but also in the Chinese written language.

FORMATION

AND

COMPOSITION OF KANJI

When a newcomer sees a kanji for the first time he may think it is an amalgam of meaningless strokes, but to think that would be totally misleading. The origin of Chinese characters is clearly pictographic—that is, each character, in its original form, represents a particular concept in a relatively reliable visual form, so that the strokes forming that character or symbol are able to summon the represented concept on their own. The original forms of Chinese characters, from which the current characters ultimately derive, are called oracle bone script and bronze-ware script. The first one owes its name to the fact that it has been attested mostly in skeletal remains whereupon ancient oracles used to make divinations. The second type of writing, on the other hand, is most often manifested as inscriptions made on various bronze items dating back to the first millennium BC. Both among oracle bone script and bronzeware script, there are a vast number of characters that represent tangible concepts as well as characters that, although not entirely pictographic, show ideas in a symbolic way with a representative approximation of intangible but 5ふそく

(fusoku): 不足 ‘insufficient' ; 附則 ‘additional rules' ; 不測 'unexpected'

17

descriptive concepts, usually formed by association between other compositional elements. The first type of characters is known as pictograms and the second type of characters is known as ideograms.

A combination of pictograms and ideograms are shown in the above sample of characters of the bronzeware script. The first five characters are pictographic representations of the concepts of ‘person’, ‘child’, ‘eye’, ‘outstretched hand’, and ‘tree’. The last four characters are ideograms formed by association that represent the concepts ‘to protect’ (person + child), ‘to look’ (eye + person), ‘to reach’ (outstretched hand + person), and ’to rest’ (person + tree). Ideograms make up the vast majority of the compositional ground of Chinese characters, although these ideograms, as I have just pointed out, usually use pictograms for their formation. The pictograms used in the formation of other characters are called Primitive Components, and each kanji or sinogram is one of them or derives from at least one of them. There are also other graphs acting as phonetic or semantic components that are in turn formed by two or more primitive components. Most of the ideograms, in compositional terms, can also be classified as Semantic Compounds, since they have been formed by two or more primitive components based on their semantic value. Each component has a meaning assigned to it and, usually, also a sound that, in origin, would be equivalent to a phoneme used to designate the corresponding meaning in ancient Chinese. Given that the formation of new characters by a purely semantic association of components would be an arduous task requiring a high degree of imagination, a method known as rebus was quickly applied in order to greatly facilitate this formative process. The rebus method involves the use of a component to which a particular phoneme has been assigned together with another component only for its semantic dimension. In this manner, the sound of a component is borrowed in order to be associated with the meaning of another component. This type of characters are called Phonosemantic Compounds and they make up the vast majority of Chinese characters used today.

18

PRIMITIVE COMPONENT Pictogram

e.g.

⼿ (hand), ⽬ (eye), ⾜ (foot)

➡

➡ soku

⼿+⽬

⼿+⾜

➡

➡

SEMANTIC COMPOUND

PHONOSEMANTIC COMPOUND

soku

看

捉

(observation)

(to capture)

Many scholars conclude, perhaps due to the lack of rigorous etymological analysis, that in most of the phonosemantic characters the phonetic component has lost its semantic value, or in other words, that the phonetic component is used exclusively for its phonetic value while its semantic value is ignored. However, the people who, over the years, developed and standardized the Chinese writing system, took great care in choosing the components with a phonetic value so that their meaning was not only not lost, but also emphasized even more if possible the meaning of the new graphic composition. The learning system presented in The World of Kanji has been developed based on the principle, recently proven etymologically, that phonosemantic compounds also retain a semantic value in their phonetic component. It can be summarized that component graphs, whether primitive or derived, are the essential core indispensable for the categorization, comprehension and, in the end, learning of kanji, for they shape and in them is based the totality of the sinitic logographic writing system, since the majority of Chinese characters have been formed by means of semantic or phonosemantic combinations of these components. In the next section I will elaborate on the characteristics of components and how they can be used to their maximum potential when learning to read and write kanji.

19

CATEGORIZATION

OF

KANJI

As we have seen in the previous section, one can notice that the whole set of Chinese characters can be easily organized and structured in relation to their formative nature as it is shown below: • Primitive Components: Primordial characters of mainly pictographic origin that are used to form compound characters. • Secondary Components: Characters that are used as components for other characters, but which in turn derive from a particular primitive component or are formed by an association between several of them. • Semantic Compounds: Characters that do not act as components and are formed by the association between two or more primitive and/or secondary characters. • Phonosemantic Compounds: Characters formed by two or more components whereof one of them provides a phonetic value. This type of characters make up about 80% of the entire sinographic corpus. Lastly, there are two additional categories that appear in far less extent: • Derived components: A category consisting of pictographic characters derived directly from primitive components. They are primitive components with some additions or modifications. • Independent Characters: Characters that do not act as components nor are composed of other characters but have been formed either by an independent pictographic construction or by the derivation of an existing pictogram. The structural scheme that has been just described can be illustrated through the bronzeware script example shown in the previous section:

Once transformed into the current script:

人 子 目 又 木 保 見 及 休 20

They can be categorized in the following way:

• 人, 子, 目, 又 and 木 are Primitive Components with the semantic value of ‘person’, ‘child’, ‘eye’, ‘outstretched hand’ and ‘tree’.

• 保 , 見 , 及 and 休 are Semantic Compounds formed by the

combination of the character 人 with the rest of the previous components.

If we select out the character for “outstretched hand” (又) we can see how the structural system continues to develop: 又 has a pictographic derivation in the graph 支 (shi) which represents a hand grasping some kind of branch or stick and adopts the meaning of ‘to sustain’. 支 is thus a derived component that can give a phonosemantic value to new characters. From the character 支 derive, among others, the phonosemantic compounds 伎 (ki, person + to sustain = ‘skill’), 技 (gi, hand + to sustain = ‘ability’) and 枝 (shi, tree + to sustain = ‘branch’), which they all adopt a sound similar to the root sound of the component 支 (shi).

又 ➝ 支 ➝ 伎、技、枝 … As we have been saying until now, components are essential to facilitate the understanding of Chinese characters. Components are not only useful to understand the etymology and the semantic and phonetic relationships between each character, but also to sort the characters in the indexes of reference books such as dictionaries or, as we shall see later, this very book.

THE WORLD VIEW CHARACTERS

OF

THE

CREATORS

OF

CHINESE

During the second millennium B. C., in the Yellow River Valley, north of present-day China, a culture emerged that would forever mark the destiny of East Asia: the culture of the Shang dynasty. In that cultural environment, the characters that would later evolve into the current sinographs and kanji developed in a decisive way, becoming one of the writing systems that have been used for the longest time in human history. The people of the Shang dynasty lived within a social order that held together, at least symbolically, the common people with royalty, and royalty with the divine. The stabilizing base of the Shang dynasty was thus a trinity of people, king and god, under which order and continuity were maintained. But to maintain that order, it was necessary to legitimize 21

the beliefs in such religious and social system. During the Shang dynasty, these beliefs were legitimized by establishing a complicated but welldefined ritual system. The core of the rites of the Shang were a series of divinatory ceremonies through which advice was obtained for future tasks in a sort of communication with the numinous whose undertaking was reserved to the noble class, since its members were the only ones with the privilege of being able to exercise as priests. The divinatory rites were performed using the bones of animals—especially ox scapulas or turtle shells (more specifically the shell bone, called plastron). A question was inscribed on these surfaces and then heat was applied to the bone until there appeared some providential cracks upon which an interpretation was written down. At first, the symbols engraved on the bone surfaces were probably mere representative indications, but gradually they evolved into a cohesive pictographic system known as oracle bone script. The divinatory rites were subsequently Turtle plastron with followed by a cult to the ancestors and the divinatory inscriptions. corresponding veneration rites, for which a series of bronze ritual vessels were used, and was on the surface of those vessels where eventually solemn inscriptions would be engraved, thus giving shape to the so-called bronzeware script.

Sample of bronze ritual vessels on which inscriptions were made.

The sum of ritual writings in bronzeware and oracle bone scripts would form a communicative system thanks to which the Chinese culture emerged and developed and, later on, also the Japanese one. These ancient ritual scriptures, which shaped a proper communicative system, were constituted taking into account and reflecting the world view of the society that developed them. It is obvious that the society of the Shang 22

dynasty, that lasted throughout the second millennium BC, was quite different from our modern society, but we will see that its perception of the world, human at the end of the day, will not be so strange to us. The people of the Shang dynasty managed to describe the immediate physical plane with a determined set of pictographic symbols; and with the combination of these primitive symbols with each other, they ended up developing a complete semantic writing system capable of satisfying all human communicative needs. A not very high number of primitive characters gave rise to a complex system that accounts its logographs in the thousands. It is quite interesting to find out how all those thousands of characters can be reduced to a few hundred interconnected primitive components. The set of primitive characters which, as I said, reliably represents the physical plane, can be divided into four thematic sections: The Human Realm, the Natural Realm, the Material Realm and, finally, the Territorial Realm. These four divisions of the world suffice to categorize the enormous and complex conceptual frame represented by Chinese characters. Each essential component used to form any type of kanji belongs, semantically, to one of the aforementioned “realms”. In turn, these realms can be further divided, each of them into three relevant categories. The Human Realm is composed of People, the Human Body and Limbs. The Natural Realm is composed of Elements, Plants and Animals. The Material Realm is made up of Everyday Objects, Tools and Vessels, and, finally, the Territorial Realm is made up of Weapons, Spaces and Constructions. The progression of the learning system of The World of Kanji derives directly from this “world” arrangement inspired by the world view of the creators of the characters. The author of the present book believes that in order to learn kanji as naturally and logically as possible, it is necessary to have a cohesive and progressive system that is faithful to the formation and constitution of the sinographs, since in it lies the key to the rapid comprehension and consistent memorization of these characters.

23

Guidelines for Reading Kanji

OVERVIEW The complexity of Japanese writing lies not only in the existence of two different syllabaries plus kanji, but also in the possible readings of the latter. This is because, first, there are two basic ways to read a Chinese character: 1. Through an adaptation to Japanese phonetics of the original Chinese phoneme represented by the character; 2. Through a Japanese native word that alludes to the meaning represented by the character. As noted previously in the introduction, the first type of reading is called onyomi (phonetic reading) and the second type is called kunyomi (semantic reading). The realization of one reading or the other depends on the context in which the kanji appears, but it is safe to assume that, in most occasions, the sinitic vocabulary that is pronounced with the onyomi reading is mostly written by a combination of two or more kanji, and that the written words with a single kanji will be native words pronounced with the kunyomi reading. • Onyomi Reading: Phonetic reading of sinitic origin. Usually performed on words composed of two or more kanji. • Kunyomi Reading: Vernacular semantic reading. Usually performed when single kanjis that appear alone or followed by syllables written in hiragana. There are some characters that have more than one onyomi reading or more than one kunyomi reading. There are also some rare composite words in which one of the kanji has a kunyomi reading and the other kanji has an onyomi reading. Finally, there are also words with special readings (gikun) that are used only in one word. These exceptional cases can only be learned by memorizing the relevant vocabulary.

ONYOMI READINGS Onyomi readings are typically used in sinoxenic words (words of Chinese origin), which in general can be easily distinguished by being composed of two or more kanji. These types of composite words are called jukugo. In cases where a character has several on readings, it will only be possible to determine which of them should be used by learning the relevant vocabulary, but it has to be said that most kanji have only a single onyomi 24

reading, and those with several of them are usually fairly common characters, whereas one of the possible readings is often used much more frequently than the rest. A particular onyomi reading can be modified if the following kanji’s pronunciation ends in the phoneme tsu (つ), which gets assimilated through reduplication into the first sound of the following kanji’s pronunciation. This is how, for example, the word 接戦 (setsu + sen) is not pronounced *setsuen but sessen, or the word 借金 (shatsu + kin) is not pronounced *shatsukin but shakkin.

KUNYOMI READINGS Kunyomi readings are generally used when kanji is followed by syllables written in hiragana or when it represents a single noun on its own, although there are also certain jukugo with kun readings, such as most surnames and names. The syllables written in hiragana that follow a kanji read in kunyomi is called okurigana, and this okurigana may be inflected, making it variable, but the kunyomi reading will be acting as an invariable fixed lexeme.

PARADIGM By using the character 生 (to live) I am going to demonstrate how a single kanji can be read in different ways depending on how it appears within a text. I chose this character in particular because it is a character with an exceptionally high number of possible readings.

Word

Reading

Meaning

❶ 生

nama

raw

❷ 生きる

i.kiru

to live

u.mareru

to be born

sei-katsu

livelihood

jin-sei

human life

❸ 生まれる ❹ 生活 ❺ 人生

25

❶ Kunyomi 1 [nama]: As a single character word without inflections, a native noun. ❷ Kunyomi 2 [i-]: As a kanji lexeme with an inflectional termination written in hiragana, a native verb. ❸ Kunyomi 3 [u-]: As another kanji lexeme with an inflectional termination written in hiragana, another native verb. ❹ & ❺ Onyomi 1 [sei]: As a sinoxenic lexeme used in composite words (jukugo).

26

Guidelines for Writing Kanji

OVERVIEW Knowing how to correctly write kanji is useful in three ways: 1. To make handwriting comprehensible and aesthetically appealing; 2. To know the first stroke and the number of strokes a character has when you want to look for it in dictionaries—or in one of the indices of this book6–; and 3. To recognize and understand other people’s handwritten calligraphy. Moreover, the learning of kanji can always be more enriching if it is done according to aesthetic rules that will integrate the student into the compendium of the sinitic calligraphic tradition. The calligraphic tradition of Chinese characters establishes three key points or laws: 1.

Law of strokes: Each character is composed of a specific number of strokes. A stroke is every brush movement that is made without lifting the pen from the paper.

2.

Law of sequence: The strokes of each character must be written in an established order following a given sequence and direction.

3.

Law of proportion: Each character has to be approximately of the same size, regardless of the number of strokes and/or components it is composed of. All characters also have to be able to be written within the boundaries inferred by an equilateral square.

Each kanji, therefore, is made up of a few strokes that must be written in a particular order so that they occupy more or less the size of a square. The existence of these rules (as opposed to the Latin script, which does not specify a specific stroke order) is mainly due to one reason: to bring some clarity and comprehensibility upon the large number of existing characters and to allow an accurate distinction between them. If writing is done slowly, the resulting characters are likely to be intelligible despite the differences in stroke order, but as soon as writing is streamlined and strokes begin to come together or mingle due to the speed of the brush, it is imperative to follow a standard sequence that allows the reader to discern what path the writing utensil has followed while tracing the character. In order for the student to achieve a correct writing and, perhaps most importantly, to be able to discern at first glance the order and the

6

2136 Character Index

27

number of strokes of a character, he or she must acknowledge and apply the three aforementioned rules, which I will explain one at a time in more detail hereafter.

LAW

OF

STROKES

The Law of Strokes states that each character has a certain number of strokes. Within the whole set of Chinese characters there is a series of repeating strokes and these can be easily sorted out. Let us see, then, what are the strokes used in the sinitic writing: 1.

Line: Horizontal and straight line, going from left to right: 一. This stroke is by itself also an independent character 一 (one). Exceptionally, the line can appear sharply inclined to the left, forming an oblique line ( ), as in the character 七 (seven).

2.

Column: Vertical and straight line written from top to bottom: ㇑. The column can curve at the bottom forming a bent column: 丿; or end in a hook, forming a column with a hook: 亅.

3.

Slash: Starts to be written from an upper position and then goes down to the left: ㇒.

4.

Dot: Stroke of short length that extends slightly from a upper starting and then points down to the right: 丶. In many characters the path of the dot can be extended further downwards forming an extended dot: ⼂丶. This drop, like the column, can also end in a hook, forming a dot with a hook: ㇂.

In addition to these four common strokes and their variants there is also a series of compound strokes. These strokes are technically the combination of two common stroke shapes, but united by a single brush stroke: 5.

Upper Corner: It consists of a line followed by a column: ㇕. This compound stroke has different variants, such as the shortened upper corner: ㇖; the extended upper corner: 乁; the upper corner with an inner hook: ㇆ or the upper corner with an outer hook: ㇈.

6.

Lower Corner: Combination of a column with a line: ㇗. This stroke usually appears slightly inclined: 𡿨, . There are also the variants of the shortened lower corner: ㇙, or the lower corner with a hook ㇟.

28

7.

Zigzag: Uncommon stroke that is formed by the combination of a line and a lower corner: 乙. This stroke can have the exceptional variant (as in the characters 凹 and 凸) or 𠄎 (as in the component 乃).

8.

Reverse Zigzag: Combination of a lower corner with an upper corner: 𠃑, which have also the bent variant:

.

Below there is a table summarizing the different types of strokes: Main Stroke

Variants

Direction

Line

一

Column

㇑

Slash

㇒

Dot

丶 

㇏㇂

↘︎

Upper Corner

㇕

㇖乁㇆㇈

↴

Lower Corner

㇗

Zigzag

乙

Reverse Zigzag

𠃑

→ 丿亅

↓ ↙

↓→ 𠄎

→↓→ ↓→↓

Once the student learns these eight strokes and variants he will be able to determine in which direction they are written and how many of them a character is composed of.

LAW

OF

SEQUENCE

The next aspect to take into account when writing kanji is the order in which the strokes of each character are written, that is, the Law of the Sequence, which follows the principle that the writing of characters has to be economical: so that the hand makes the fewest movements to write a greater number of strokes. This principle, applied to almost all of the sinograms, has allowed the stroke sequence to remain virtually unchanged over the years.

29

The precepts stipulated in the Law of Sequence can be applied to most characters so that, with few exceptions, the student will know in which order of strokes to write a certain character without having to consult it in a dictionary. Let us now go on to describe these sequential precepts, or in other words, the general notions applicable when establishing the order of strokes of a character: ① From left to right & from top to bottom 川 (丿丨丨)

三 (一一一)

✽ Leftmost column is written the first 門 (丨𠃍⼀⼀丨𠃌⼀⼀) 馬 (丨⼀丨⼀⼀𠃌丿丶丶丶) ② Lines before columns 十 (一丨)

上 (一丨一)

✽ But if there is a cross (十, 丅) and a line below, the cross is written first 土 (一丨一)

王 (一丨一一)

③ Central columns before symmetrical sides 木 (一丨㇒㇏)

水 (亅㇖㇒㇏)

山 (丨𠃊丨)

④ Slashes before dots 父 (㇒丶㇒㇏) ⑤ Upper corners before slashes 刀 (㇆丿)

力 (㇆丿)

✽ Except the graph 九 (丿㇈) ⑥ Upper corners before lower corners 民 (𠃍一𠄌一㇂) 艮 (𠃍⼀⼀𠄌㇒㇏) ⑦ Lines that cross several strokes are written at the end 女 (𡿨㇒一)

母 (𡿨 ㇆丶丶⼀)

⑧ Columns that cross several strokes are written at the end

30

聿 (㇕一一一一 丨) ⑨ Single dots are written at the end 玉 (王丶)

✽ Unless the dot is at the top of the character 主 (丶王) ⑩ The component 辶 is written at the end 近 (斤辶) In addition to these basic sequential precepts, there are two components whose graphic development is not easily distinguishable to the naked eye, so that it is not possible to guess, by looking at a printed typography, which are the separate strokes of such a component. Those ambiguous components are the following: Ambiguous compositions Graph

Strokes

Stroke order

Direction

口囗

column / upper corner / line

丨㇕ 一

↓↴→

氵

dot / dot / oblique line

丶丶⼀

↘︎↘︎↗

It is good to know this list of precepts before beginning the study of the kanji, but it can be also be practical to review and verify the list in parallel with that study.

LAW

OF

PROPORTION

At last I will talk about the proportions to follow when writing a character, or the Law of Proportion, a basic element, together with the laws of strokes and sequence, for the correct writing of kanji. The Law of Proportion dictates that any character, regardless of its number of strokes or components, must be written within the space delimited by an equilateral square:

31

漢 字 It is because of this quadrilateral proportion that some components have to change their size to fit in such proportions. Compound characters, thus, follow predetermined compositional structures with regard to the location of the components. Let us see, then, what structures exist within compound characters:

• ⿰⿲ Vertical Compounds: Characters in which components are placed

vertically side by side. They are the most common compounds. There are characters with components that look narrower on the left (e.g. 地), others narrower on the right (e.g. 列), or others that appear in similar proportions (e.g. 秋). There are also compounds formed of three vertical components (e.g. 徾). Vertical components are written from left to right, that is, the first component to be written as a whole is the one on the left and the last the one on the right.

• ⿱⿳ Horizontal Compounds: Characters in which components are

placed horizontally, one on top of the other. There are components that appear more squashed at the top (e.g. 宇, 宙), others more squashed at the bottom (e.g. 盈), or others in equal proportion (e.g. 雲). There are also horizontal compounds formed by three components (e.g. 尋). This type of compound is written from top to bottom, that is, the component on top is written first and the component below at last.

• ⿵ Roofed Compounds: Characters formed of a component that wraps

another component on both sides and the top (e.g. 問). This type of compound is written from top to bottom, that is, the envelope or “roof” is written first and then what is below it.

• ⿷⿶ Boxed Compounds: Compounds partially enveloped or wrapped

by another component, either to the left (e.g. 区), or underneath (e.g. 凶). This type of compound is one of the least frequent. In the left wrappings the stroke order is as follows: top line, content, lower corner. In the lower wrappings the order is: content, lower corner, column.

• ⿸⿹⿺ Cornered Compounds: Compounds that has a component that

wraps another component around only in one corner (two sides). The wrapping corner can be at the top left (e.g. 灰), the top right (e.g. 気) or the bottom left (e.g. 道). In these compounds the wrapping is written

32

first and the contents later, except in the characters with the wrapping component 辶, which is always written at the end.

• ⿴ Encircled Compounds: Those compounds in which a component encircles another component or components by all sides (e.g. 国). The writing order of this type of compound is as follows: left column, upper corner, content, bottom line. As you may have already inferred, the written order of components follows precepts similar to the stroke order of primitive characters. Compound characters should therefore be written as follows: Component 1 (stroke sequence), component 2 (stroke sequence).

33

How to Use this Book JOURNEY

THROUGH THE

WORLD OF KANJI

The system of The World of Kanji is based on the pictographic principle of Chinese character formation. When the ancient Chinese people began to develop their writing system they did so by looking at the world around them and by representing the concepts expressed by the language with a limited series of pictographic symbols—also called primitive characters— which were given a sound and a meaning. These symbols would later start to get combined with each other to form the large amount of Chinese characters that exist today (2136 of which are considered indispensable in Japanese). The World of Kanji takes the premise that the student of kanji will be able to advance much faster in his learning if he has a notion of what these primitive pictorial symbols are and how they work. These symbols are divided into four “realms” or themes that are in accordance with the represented concepts. They are the Human Realm, the Natural Realm, the Material Realm and the Territorial Realm. The Human Realm concerns people and their social functions, the parts of the human body, and the actions performed by the limbs. The Natural Realm concerns the natural elements, plants and their applications, and animals. The Material Realm concerns everyday objects, work tools and vessels. Finally, the Territorial Realm encompasses weapons used in warfare for territorial gain, physical spaces and constructions.

HUMAN REALM

NATURAL REALM

MATERIAL REALM

TERRITORIAL REALM

People

Elements

Everyday Objects

Weapons

Human Body

Plants

Tools

Spaces

Limbs

Animals

Vessels

Constructions

The thematic division of the book facilitates the cohesion of the whole system and, therefore, the natural and logical understanding of the constituent elements. In addition, the student will learn each character in a not only associative but also gradual way. Each new character the student

34

first encounters will be a primitive component, and the following characters will only have components that have appeared previously. The student of kanji, thanks to this book, will be able to acquire a new representative and a symbolic consciousness of the world around him, and he will be able to see in every new Chinese character he founds a scene that speaks directly to his mind. Once the student finishes the book, he will have acquired a new world view of his own—related to the characters—, and he will be able to maintain an unimagined conceptual dialogue with the wonderful logographic system used in Japanese writing. Having completed the journey through each “realm” of interesting graphic icons reminiscent of scenes from a distant time and culture, but at the same time exceptionally familiar and self-explanatory, the reader will have obtained a profound and permanent vision and understanding of the scope of the visual code applied to the Japanese written language. Once the student accomplishes the adventure of The World of Kanji, Chinese characters will have gone from being a threat or obstacle to being the most intimate ally.

STUDY PROCESS The student, following the order of the book, should pause at each entry, carefully reading the explanations and finally concentrating on the composition and meaning of each kanji or component in order to retain it in his memory. It is suggested that during this memorization process, the student writes down each character several times. At the end of each Realm’s section there is a list called Review on [name of the realm’s section] which contains all the characters that appear in that chapter grouped by components and compounds. When the reader has finished with those groups of characters, he or she will be able to go to that list and review the meanings from memory. The memorization of the readings of each kanji is not the main objective of this book, since they are very varied and it is advisable to learn them together with some vocabulary, but these readings are indicated in each entry in hiragana (kunyomi readings) and katakana (onyomi readings) for informative purposes. If the student does not know how to read the syllabaries, he may consult the appendix dedicated to them at the end of the book. There is also an appendix with a list of phonetic patterns that students can consult and use at their convenience.

35

APPENDICES & INDICES At the end of the book there are a series of appendices and indexes that I will proceed to explain: • Syllabaries: A list of the hiragana and katakana characters that may be consulted or used by the student who has not yet learned these syllabaries. It is necessary to know them in order to read the readings shown in the character entries. • Semantic Components: A list in order of appearance of the semantic components. It can be used as a reference or reinforcement when the student is already familiar with the book. • Phonosemantic Components: A list in order of appearance of the phonosemantic components. It can be used as a reference or reinforcement when the student is already familiar with the book. • Strong Phonetic Components: A list sorted by Latin alphabetical order with sounds that share two or more characters with the same component. Although the phono-semantic components also indicate similar phonemes, only characters with an identical phoneme appear in this list. This list may be used by the student as a guide to remember onyomi readings of several characters at the same time. • Onyomi Readings: List of transcribed onyomi readings and their corresponding characters, arranged alphabetically. • Kunyomi Readings: List of transcribed kunyomi readings and their corresponding characters, arranged alphabetically. • Radicals’ Main Meanings: Comprehensive list of the radicals used in this book’s last index and their tentative meanings. Radicals are components appearing at least once along with another component. Radicals are usually the most frequently occurring components. The list of radicals is composed of 142 semantic components and 8 graphic elements that act as radicals, forming a total list of 150 elements. • Radicals Index: List of radicals arranged by number of strokes, and within each number of strokes, by stroke type as follows: 一 (line); 丨 (column); ㇒ (diagonal);丶 (dot) 𠃍(upper corner); 𠃊 (lower corner). • 2136 Characters Index: List of all the 2136 official characters appearing in the book, arranged by radicals (sorted in turn by number and type of stroke). Within a group with the same radical characters are grouped by total number of strokes. To consult a character in this list, one should 36

identify first its radical (when there are two apparent radicals, the leftmost or uppermost shall be chosen). Once the radical has been identified, it should be counted the total number of strokes of the character and then find it within the radical group.

37

Explanation of Entries

OVERVIEW Within each realm there is a series of character entries semantically related to that realm. Within these characters, a division can be made between the primitive and component characters and the characters composed of these components—or compounds. Each of these two character types is rendered a little bit differently.

PRIMITIVES

AND

COMPONENTS

The entries for this type of characters show the primitive characters and composite primitives that act as main components for other characters. In these entries the following information appears:

❹ ❶

❺ タイ ダイ

⼤

❼ Person from the front big ❽

大 土 おお.きい ❷

❸

❻

37

❾

❶ The original pictogram in oracle bone or bronzeware script. ❷ The current standard version form of the character. ❸ Other variants used as components. ❹ Handwritten calligraphic version. ❺ Onyomi reading7, written in katakana. ❻ Kunyomi reading 8, written in hiragana. ❼ Original meaning of the pictogram. ❽ Current most frequent meaning(s) of the character. ❾ Character number.

7

Only the onyomi readings recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education are included.

Only the kunyomi readings recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education are included, shown along their most frequent okurigana. 8

38

After the informative stripes there appears an in-depth explanation of the character etymology and its formative process. If the component is only of a semantic nature, the main glyph is depicted in a strong red color, whereas the variant used only as a component is colored in a softer red color, as shown in the previous example. If the component also adopts a phonetic value, the color of the glyph is depicted in a strong blue color and the variant only used as a component appears in a soft blue color as shown in the following example:

並

並并

Several people standing side ➀ ヘイ by side ➀ な.み ➀ line ➁ なら.ぶ ➁ to line up

42

It should be noted that there are components that are not separate characters or are not part of the jōyō kanji list. In this case, these characters appear only in light color and their reading—in the phonosemantic components—appears in gray. In some cases, these characters, although not part of the jōyō list, are used in Japan in some names. As such, they appear with the ㊔ symbol below the number.

辰

辰

13

シン

Person holding an agrarian ㊔ tool

COMPOUNDS Compounds are formed by component characters and therefore, in most cases, they will not need a detailed etymological explanation, since the component elements themselves act as guides for understanding. The meaning of the components can be either the pictograph’s original meaning or the character’s current meaning. Entries for the compounds, therefore, are somewhat simpler. This type of entries appear as follows:

39

❷

併

43

❺ ❸ ヘイ

併 あわ.せる ➍

ヘイ

❽

Person 亻 along a line of people 並 ❻

❶

to get together ❼

❶ The current standard version form of the character. ❷ Handwritten calligraphic variant. ❸ Onyomi reading. ❹ Kunyomi reading. ❺ Compositional definition showing the components. ❻ Component acting as a phonetic guide and its sound. ❼ Most frequent current meaning(s) of the character. ❽ Character number.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Some characters require extra information, as they have some infrequent or special readings or need additional key explanations. Extra information may be represented in the following way: • Reading in dark blue: Among several readings, this is the phoneme that compounds use. Also it indicates an occasional phonosemantic use of a character that normally acts just a semantic component. • Reading in light blue: Among several readings, this phoneme is only used in compounds and never as a reading of the character itself. • Reading in light red: Infrequent reading. • Reading in light gray: Phoneme of a component that does not appear as a separate jōyō kanji but that forms part of phonosemantic compounds.

SPECIAL READING

The reading after this note is unique to the

combination shown within.

40

PLACE NAME USAGE

The character with this label is used almost

exclusively in place names. NOTE Compound characters bearing this label require an additional etymological explanation.

NOTES

ON

ETYMOLOGY

Research on etymologies has been rigorous and well documented 9, however, there are some characters whose etymology is ambiguous or varied. In such cases, the author has chosen the etymology that most closely is related to the current form of the character and/or the one that most helps to understand that character within the semantic framework proposed in the book.

ABBREVIATIONS

AND

SYMBOLS

Ⓡ

Component also used as a radical.

㊔

Component also used as a character for names (jinmeiyō kanji).

[fig.]

Concept used in a figurative or metaphorical way.

➝

Evolution from a graphical form to another.

←

Shows that the graphical form used is a more primitive version of the most common form.

×N

Component appearing N times.

9

For reference, look the ‘Resources’ section.

41

THE HUMAN REALM

42

THE HUMAN REALM The journey through The World of Kanji begins with an introspection towards ourselves. To understand the outside world, it is necessary first to know the inner world. The ego, the person, and people's personal relationships are the existential elements at which human beings firstly and most frequently aim their consciousness. It is not surprising, then, that among the first artistic expressions made by prehistoric peoples there are, in fact, direct representations of themselves: the human being. It is notorious that these peoples established themselves as one of the primordial centers of their cosmographies. The creators of Chinese characters were no exception to that. Taking into account that the ritual inscriptions of the Shang people were developed within an activity of social functionality, it is also no coincidence that the representations of people and their actions play a key role within the whole corpus of primitive pictograms. The human being is, therefore, one of the main subjects of Chinese characters. Graphemes grouped within the Human Realm are divided into the three following groups: Characters used to represent human figures in their own right, characters used to represent different parts of the human body and their functions, and, lastly, characters that place special emphasis on the different actions performed by hands and feet.

PEOPLE 1. The Upright Man 2. The Different Postures 3. Women and Gestation 4. The Individual and Society 5. Human Measures

HUMAN BODY 1. Bones 2. Heart 3. Eyes 4. Nose, Ears and Hair 5. Mouth

43

LIMBS 1. Hands 2. Arms 3. Feet

THE HUMAN REALM AT A GLANCE PEOPLE

HUMAN BODY

44

LIMBS

PEOPLE 1 | THE UPRIGHT MAN The most basic representation of ‘man’ is a depiction of a person in a standing position, a stance that differs clearly from the standard four-legged postures of animals. A man standing upright, seen from the side, drawn with two schematic strokes, 人 symbolizes the meaning of ‘person’. The person can represent someone ‘exhaling air’ if he opens his mouth 欠. By changing the orientation of this simple iconographic image, several other primordial graphemes were created. Some of those characters are 匕, which represents a person turned to the opposite side, or 化, which represents a person ‘transforming’ while getting turned upside down.

⼈

人 亻儿

1

Ⓡ

ジン ニン

person

ひと

The person, the human being. It is the most basic character and component because it is used to represent concepts related to humankind and the activities we do as people. The current character is the outlining of a pictograph showing a standing person, seen from the side, slightly curved to the left. The left stroke (丿) depicts the arms and head, and the right stroke (㇏), the trunk and legs. 45

As a component, this glyph usually appears in the simplified form 亻, placed on the left of the compounds. The variant ⼉ also appears occasionally as a representation of the concept of ‘man’ or ‘person’ in characters that have undergone a deeper graphic transformation.

⽋

欠

Person with an open mouth exhaling air

ケツ か.ける

2

Ⓡ

to lack

A person (人) with his mouth open (⺈), supposedly exhaling air. As a standalone character it takes on the meaning of ‘to lack’, in reference to the lack of air when one has just breathed it out.

次

次

3

ジ

Breathing person

シ

sequence

つぎ

A person with an open mouth (欠) who takes again the air that he had previously exhaled (冫), a person who is breathing. The action of inhaling air after having exhaled it suggests the ‘sequence’ on which this glyph takes its meaning when it acts as a standalone character.

46

4

匕

Person from behind

匕

Ⓡ

Mirror form of the character 人 (person). A person seen from the side, looking to the right. In the modern outlining, the stroke ㇟ stands for the head, trunk, and legs, while ㇒ represents the arms.

比

比

5

ヒ

Person next to another person

くら.べる

to compare

One person on his back (匕 ➝ ) placed next to another person on his back (匕), giving way to compare between them.

化

化

カ ケ

Person from the front and person from the back

ば.ける

to be transformed

6

A standing person (人 ➝ 亻) that has turned to the other side, turned upside down (≈匕), a person that has been transformed.

北

北

Two people with their backs turned away

ホク きた

7

north

A person turning his back (匕) to another person who also has 47

turned his back (匕 ➝ opposite directions.

): two people back to back, going toward

The current meaning of the character was taken on making a relation to the movement of the sun, as it heads south at noon (in the Northern Hemisphere): going northwards understood as giving the back to the sun.

介

介

8

カイ

Person between two flanks jam

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) jammed into two flanks (

亡

亡

). 9

ボウ

Buried person

モウ

to perish

な.い

Originally 亾, a person (人 ➝ 亠) buried in a hole underground ( 𠃊).

48

2 | THE DIFFERENT POSTURES The next logical step in human representation, beyond the depiction of a mere standing man, is that very man in other postures that are better suited for suggesting specific situations, activities or states of mind. Among the different postures there is a ‘sitting person’ with his hands’

尸, that further develops into a ‘person working 丮. We also have a ‘leaning person’

‘person on his knees’

卩, or even a ‘huddling person’

勹, a 㔾.

10

⼫

Sitting person

尸

Ⓡ

A sitting person. This glyph originally was 𡰣, where ㇕ indicated the arms and trunk, and ⼚ the legs resting on an implicit stool. Over time, the graph evolved from 𡰣 to 尸 as a result of writing becoming more fluid.

尼

尼

ニ あま

Person carrying another person on her back

11

nun

A person sitting (尸) on the back of another person (匕). A person carrying another person on her back, taking care of him.

49

丸

丸

12

Person working with his hands

A sitting person (尸 ➝ ㇈) using his two big hands ( ) while crafting something. This component, most commonly appears with the simplified form 丸, whose left part has been reduced to one stroke that now pierces the upper horizontal line.

辰

辰

13

シン

Person holding an agrarian ㊔ tool

Man holding an agrarian tool with which he works the land. It may designate both the action of working as well as that of holding something. This component originally had the form 𠂮, in which you can perceive a structure similar to that of the component 丮 (person working with his hands) to the right, where the person is depicted by the stroke ㇈. The strokes of the agricultural tool were eventually merged with the strokes representing the person, thus making the form of the current character.

⼓

勹

14

Leaning person

50

Ⓡ

A bending or leaning person, looking to the left, seen from the side. The stroke ㇒ depicts the head and arms, and the stroke ㇆ shows the trunk and legs.

匂

匂

15

Person leaning 勹 over another person's 匕

にお.う

to be fragrant

A person leaning over another person, being able to closely capture his or her fragrance.

⼙

卩

16

Ⓡ

Kneeling person

A person sitting on his knees, looking to the left. ㇆ stands for the back and the head, and the vertical line 丨 depicts the union of the bent legs with the arms resting on them. In some compounds the form 卩 gets transformed into one of the variant forms of the “person” component (⼉), probably due to a semantic analogy.

卬

卬

17

Person kneeling before another person

A person kneeling (卩) before a person on his back (匕 ➝ 51

).

仰

仰

ギョウ コウ あお.ぐ

免

免

Person 亻 in front of a person kneeling before another 卯

18

to look up (at) 19

メン

Hiding person

まぬ.かれる

to avoid

A kneeling person (卩 ➝ ⼉) covering himself with a big hat or cap ( ) in order to avoid being spotted.

㔾

⺋

20

Huddling person

ハン

Person kneeling and leaning to the right (㇟), with his hands on his thighs (𠃌), suggesting a distressing situation or feeling.

巴

巴

21

ハ

Person with big hands

㊔

A kneeling person looking to the right (㇟) with big hands and fingers (𫩏), suggesting a great endowment of skill on them.

52

⾊

色

シキ ショク

Person on top of another person

22

Fornication

いろ

color

A standing person (人 ➝ ⺈) on top of a huddling person (㔾 ➝ 巴), suggesting the act of copulation and the glowing color of the skin derived from such an act.

53

3 | WOMEN AND GESTATION From the posture of a kneeling person seen in the previous section a new pictogram is developed: The figure of a ‘woman’ clasping her hands to the front, perhaps suggesting submission or pleading: 女. Women play a key role in the sinitic logical graphical representations for their own shake, and its icon diverts to a large number of secondary components and compound characters. The concept of woman also derives into the concept of ‘mother’ and other ideas related to gestation, such as childbirth or parenting. We can see how representing the aforementioned concept of motherhood is done by enhancing the nipples of the icon of ‘woman’: 母, or how the concept of ‘body’ is suggested by the depiction of a pregnant woman about to give birth, with the body of a baby visibly inside her belly: in turn, produces a ‘fetus’

了 that, once his gestation is

‘completed’, becomes a newborn baby ‘child’

身. The pregnant woman, , ad then a full grown

子.

23

ジョ

⼥

女

Ⓡ

ニョ woman

ニョウ おんな め

A woman sitting on her knees, with her hands clasped, possibly suggesting an attitude of submission. In the modern form, a visibly schematized glyph, the stroke ㇛, 54

points out the arms, the clasped hands, and the head, where the strokes 一 and ㇢ (㇇) stand for the legs, trunk, and shoulders.

妄

妄 娠

娠 姿

姿

24

モウ

Perished 亡 woman 女

モウ ボウ

delusion シン

シン

25

Woman 女 holding something 辰 inside pregnancy 26

ツ

Breathing 次 woman 女

シ すがた

母

母毋 SPECIAL READING

figure 27

ボ

Woman with exposed nipples

はは

mother

お母さん [おかあさん]: mother

A kneeling woman with her breasts and nipples exposed, evoking the maternal action of breastfeeding the offspring. The modern form of the character can be easily traced from the original character for “woman” (女), whose strokes have been elongated in order to make space for the two dots (丶丶) depicting the nipples. When acting as a component, this character adopts a simplified form: 毋, in which the two dots have been united in a vertical line. 55

毎

毎

28

Scruffy woman

マイ

every

Originally 𡴋, and later 每, a mother (母 ➝ 毋) with her hair disheveled (屮 ➝

), a mother with her external appearance

unkempt, thought to be the common looks of each and every mother who feels distressed in her new busy lifestyle.

侮

マイ

ブ

Person 亻 besides a scruffy woman 毎

侮 あなど.る 乃

乃

29

to disdain

ナイ

Newly pregnant woman

30

㊔

from

A body seen from the side in which the belly looks slightly bulky, the body of a newly pregnant woman. The stroke to the left 丿 depicts the arms, whereas the sinuous stroke to the right 𠄎 indicates the curved belly and the legs.

身

身

31

シン

Woman in full gestation

み

body

The body of a pregnant woman touching her belly, seen from the side. The meaning of ‘body’ is thus doubly reinforced with the figure of both the pregnant woman and that of the baby (a new 56

body) within her. It can be seen that the strokes of this character are quite evolved: The stroke on top ㇒ shows the head, the oblique stroke in the middle ㇢ points out the arms, the form resembling 且 on top of the latter suggests the pregnant belly with the baby inside and the vertical line that arises from these last strokes, ㇚, indicates, finally, the legs.

了

了

32

Baby about to be born

リョウ

completion

A baby who is fully formed but cannot yet outstretch his arms out, a baby that is about to be born. The stroke 乛 represents the child’s head and 亅 the body. 33

Newborn baby A baby coming out headlong from the mother’s belly, finally able to outstretch his arms, a baby that has just been born. The stroke on top丶 depicts here the baby’s legs, 厶 evokes the trunk and the head, and the horizontal line 一 indicates the outstretched arms.

57

充

充

➀➁ ジュウ

34

Baby becoming a full grown child ➀ fill

➁ あて.る

➁ to set aside

A newborn baby ( ) that progressively becomes a person (人 ➝ ⼉), a full grown child who has seen his growth process fulfilled. As an additional meaning, this character has that of ‘to set aside’, figuratively taken from the idea of a grown up child that is set aside from the younger children in order to start a new life.

⼦

子

35

シ

Ⓡ

child

ス こ

A child with a characteristic large head (㇖), an upright trunk (㇚) and outstretched arms (一). It is worth to notice that this character is the reversed form of the glyph (newborn baby). While that component evokes the image of a child upside down coming out of the mother’s womb, this character shows us the image of that same child in an upright position, already active and aware of his surroundings.

58

36

好

好

コウ この.む す.き

Woman 女 and child 子 to like

59

4 | THE INDIVIDUAL AND SOCIETY By changing the point of view of the man from the side to the front, and by stretching his arms to the sides the pictograph 大 appears. The creators of the Chinese characters saw fit to give that depiction of a man a more contextual relevance in society, turning the meaning of ‘person’ into that of ‘big’ once it is shown from the front. But even greater than the physical dimensions of man is the transcendence obtained by the spiritual endeavors. That is why an already “big man” who has seen his head enlarged through mystical gnosis or heavenly connection, 天, receives the meaning of ‘heaven’. Position-wise, the man seen from the front can be also placed on top of the ground

立, representing a person who is

‘standing’, a person with his feet under the ground

亢, or even a

person levitating over the ground 太, which represents something that is considered ‘great’. Other possible positions and stances are that of a person with his legs crossed represents an ‘exchange’, a ‘wiggling person’

交, which

夭, or a person

turned upside down 𢆉. The big man who in old Chinese society reached the time when he could be considered ‘adult’ began to wear a distinctive hair attire made of a bun tied together with a hair-stick

夫. If

the person grew older he used to let his hair particularly ‘long’ 長, graphically emphasizing the passage of time and experience. One last pictogram referring to men and their function within society is 文, which represents a tattooed man or a person with some patterns drawn in his body that indicated some kind of societal role, an image that is now utilized to represent ‘writing’.

60

37

⼤

タイ ダイ

Person from the front big

大 土 おお.きい SPECIAL READING

Ⓡ

大人 [おとな]: adult

A person seen from the front, with his arms and legs extended to the sides, suggesting amplitude. The central part 人 stands here for the full body and two legs, while the crossing line 一 represents the outstretched arms. When acting as a component, the form 大 may sometimes be contracted to 土.

夹

夹

38

キョウ

Person in the middle of two other people

Originally 夾, a person seen from the front (大) trapped between two people (人×2 ➝ 䒑).

天

天

39

テン

Enlightened person

あま-

heaven

あめ

A person seen from the front with his head enlarged, indicating that he has attained cognition or gnosis towards the divine. A man who is aware of heaven.

61

In many of the characters in which there was originally a thick line or a stain, there is now a thin horizontal line, due to the simplification attained while using brushes as a means of writing. From such process it turns out that the original character 㕦, where ⼞ depicts an oversized head, has evolved into its current form: 天. 40

立

立

リツ

Standing person

リュウ た.つ

Ⓡ

to stand (up)

Alteration of the character 大 (person from the front), to which a line underneath (一) has been added to indicate the situation of being standing on the ground. The original form of this glyph was 𡗓, but over time the strokes have been transformed into the current character: 立, where the legs have changed their orientation from outwards ( ) to inwards (丷).

位

位

41

イ くらい

並

Person 亻 standing 立 somewhere position

➀ ヘイ

Several people standing side

42

by side

➀ な.み

並 并 ➁ なら.ぶ

➀ line ➁ to line up

Originally 竝, two people standing on the ground (立×2 ➝ 竝 ➝ 並), one next to the other. 62

Over time the strokes of both components were combined forming the current glyph 並, where the interior oblique strokes representing the legs of the original components became vertical lines, and the upper and lower horizontal lines got united into single lines. As a component, this character usually takes a further simplified form: 并, in which the exterior oblique strokes 丷have transformed into a single straight line and the other line depicting the ground has disappeared.

併

ヘイ

ヘイ

Person 亻 along a line of people 并

併 あわ.せる 亢

亢

43

to get together 44

コウ

Person with his feet under the ground

A person with his feet under the ground, stuck in it. The upper strokes 亠 stand for the head and arms, the horizontal line crossing them 一 represents the ground, and the strokes ⼉ depict the legs under it.

太

太

Person over the ground

➀タ ➀ タイ ➁ ふと.い

45

➀ great ➁ to be fat

A person (大) placed over ground (一 ➝ 丶), with his feet being untouched by it, as if they were levitating. 63

This character contrasts with the character 立 (standing person), in which the person directly ‘touches’ the ground line—or the character 亢 (person with his feet under the ground), in which the feet ‘cross’ that line. The composition of the glyph suggests, therefore, the highness or superiority of those who are “above” everybody else. Eventually the character adopted the broad meaning of ‘great’, ’bigger than big’, and, in a more mundane and perhaps unintended approach, also that of ‘to be fat’.

交

交

➀ ➁ コウ

Person with crossed legs

➀ まじ.える

➀ to mingle

➁ か.わす

➁ to interchange

46

A person seen from the front (大 ➝ 六) with his legs crossed (乂). The notion of ‘crossing one leg with the other’ has resulted in a semantic association to the broader meaning of ‘mingling’ or ‘interchanging’.

夭

夭

47

Wiggling person

A person wiggling or swaggering while moving his hands and head. Originally 𫯛, the slanted stroke ( ) on top of the element 大 (person seen from the front) suggests the leaning movement of that person.

64

妖

48

ヨウ

Woman 女 who wiggles 夭

妖 あや.しい

bewitching

NOTE It is likely that the image evoked by this character is referring to the shamanistic role that women took in the ancient Chinese folk tradition (that role is still maintained to some degree in Korea and Japan), in which they acted as spiritual guides while moving sinuously and mysteriously, presumably possessed by the spirits. The meaning of ‘bewitching’ is most probably derived from such a scene.

屰

𢆉

49

Person turned upside down

A person turned upside down. This glyph is simply the character 大 (person seen from the front) reversed, where the strokes 䒑 stand for the prone legs, and the two crossing strokes 十 depict the trunk and the outstretched arms.

Person standing upright さいわ.い and person turned upside down しあわ.せ コウ

幸

幸

50

Ⓡ

fortune

さち

Originally 㚔, a person standing upright (大 ➝ 土) and a person turned upside down (𢆉) This character suggests, therefore, the unpredictability of the fate or one’s fortune, since sometimes one can turn out to be face-up, and other times face-down. 65

執

執

シツ シュウ

Person working out the fortune

と.る

to take command

51

Originally 𡙕, a person working (丮 ➝ 丸) with a conceptualized fortune (㚔 ➝ 幸), a person who decides his own destiny or that of the others, someone who becomes aware of his actions and takes command upon them.

爽

爽

ソウ さわ.やか

Person holding two heavy objets

52

invigorating

A big person (大) lifting two heavy objects (爻×2)—probably representing some kind of full vessels–, boasting his strength and vigor.

夫

夫

フ フウ

Person with his hair tied in a topknot

53

Adult person

おっと

husband

A big person (大) with a hair attire (一), most probably a bun tied with a hair-stick, that was used by grown up married men. The topknot worn by men is indeed extensively documented as a common and outspread hairstyle in ancient China, where it was known as ji (髻). 66

This character, as a component, takes on the original meaning of ‘grown up man’ or ‘adult person’, but when acting as a standalone, it adopts the meaning of ‘married person’ or ‘husband’.

Man wearing a topknot

長

長

54

チョウ

Person with long hair

なが.い

long

Originally 𠑿, a person (人 ➝ ⼉ ➝

) with loose, long hair ( ). 55

老

➀ ロウ

Person with long hair Ⓡ leaning on a walking stick Old man

➀ お.い

老 耂 ➁ ふ.ける

➀ old age ➁ to grow old

A man with long hair leaning on a cane, suggesting the meaning of ‘old age’. This character has suffered a steep transformation process. The upper part represents a man’s head with a long, loose hair (長 ➝ ➝ 土), hairstyle typically worn by old sages of ancient　China that 67

didn’t feel it was necessary anymore to tie their hair in a bun—like the ones married man used to wear, as indicated by the character 夫 (adult person). The central stroke ㇒ depicts an arm holding a cane, and the element 匕 stands for the cane itself (㇟) and a very simplified version of the man’s body (㇒). This glyph, when used as a component, omits the lower part 匕, appearing just as 耂, and it is placed on top in the compounds.

孝

孝

56

Old man over a child

コウ

filial piety

An old man (老 ➝ 耂) above a child (子), or the latter below the former, a graphical representation of one of the key concepts of the Ancient China’s Confucian morals, termed as ‘filial piety’, which refers to the subordination that in nuclear families children owe to their parents and, extrapolated to society in general, the subordination that young people owe to those above their age.

⽽

而

57

ジ

Person wearing a raincoat ㊔ and

A person (人 ➝ ) wearing a kind of hat (一) and a cloak or raincoat (冂) to protect himself from the rain. 58

⽂

文

ブン

Tattooed person

モン

writings

ふみ

68

Ⓡ

A person seen from the front with a kind of design on his highlighted chest, probably some sort of symbolic tattoo. The strokes 亠 represent the head and arms, and the strokes represent the legs and trunk, given a space for the tattoo pattern. In the modern form of the character, however, only the outline remains, and the design of the tattoo itself has disappeared from the graph. Over time, due to the communicative nature of tribal tattoos or patterns, this glyph’s meaning came to be that of ‘message’, ‘letters’ and, ultimately, anything related to writing.

69

5 | HUMAN MEASURES One of the last conceptual derivations that we can draw from the human figure is the proportion and measures obtained from it. It is notorious that prior to the international standardization of measures of length, most human groups used the human body as a reference. Chinese characters reflect this fact in two primitive characters. One stands for the span that goes from the head to the feet of a person in an upright position

久, and the other

represents the ‘length’ of the calf of a sitting person

久

久

尺.

ク

Upright person being measured

ひさ.しい

long time

キュウ

59

Originally 𫝄, the span (㇒) covering the distance that goes from the head to the feet of an upright person (人 ➝ 入), the longest length within the human scale. Over time this character expanded the meaning related to the spatial length to indicate also long temporal distances, being this meaning of ‘long time’ the only one that this character preserves today.

尺

尺

Calf of a person being measured

シャク

Measure unit of length [~30 cm] 70

60

Ⓡ

The span (㇏) of the lower part of the bent leg of a sitting person (尸): the length of a calf. When this character acts as a component it may take on the meaning of ‘measure’ or ‘being measured’.

71

REVIEW ON PEOPLE

1

2

⼈⽋次⼔⽐化北介亡 ⼫尼丮⾠勹匂卩卬 免㔾 巴⾊ 仰

3

⼥母毎乃⾝了

充⼦

妄娠姿侮好

4

⼤夹天⽴並亢太交夭屰幸執 爽夫⾧⽼孝⽽⽂ 位併妖

5

久尺

72

HUMAN BODY 1 | BONES In the previous chapter we have seen how people form an essential part of the semantic and graphic set of sinitic components and characters. We have seen how people can be divided by age, sex, activity or social position, among other things. Another thing in regard to people that has to be taken into account is their material nature. A person is inconceivable without his physical body. The physical body can be analyzed from different levels, but it is reasonable to begin with what sustains the body, the core structure without which the rest of the body would not stand up and could not be articulated: the ‘bones’ of various types, such as the ribs body parts in general—the ‘skull’

冎, which are

肉—representing ‘meat’ or 田, or the vertebrae

呂.

61

冎

Pile of bones

冎𠮠

A pile of bones on top of each other (冂×3). In some compounds this glyph may adopt the simplified form 𠮠 or its variant 叧.

73

62

⾁

肉

Ⓡ 肉

meat

ニク

Body part

月⺝

A slice of meat, probably the ribs of an animal, where 冂 represents the outline and 仌 the visible bones. As a component, the glyph evolved from 肉 into ⺼, and ultimately into 月 or ⺝. When forming part of other characters, this graph expands the meaning of ‘meat’ into that of ‘body part’ and even ‘physical matter’. Most of the characters that use 肉 (月) as a component usually have, then, a meaning related to the body.

Body part ⺝ shown by two people that

背

背

➀ ハイ ➀せ ➁ せい ➂ そむ.く

63

turn their backs away 北 ➀ back ➁ stature ➂ to turn one’s back

肥

肥

ハ

ヒ

Body part 月 as big as some big hands 巴

こ.える

to get fat

74

64

65

育

育

イク そだ.てる はぐく.む

Body part ⺝ becoming a newborn baby

to bring up

NOTE The body part component symbolizes the woman’s pregnant belly that generates a new being, a newborn baby who has to be raised and brought up henceforth.

脊

脊

66

spine

セキ

Body part (肉 ➝ ⺝) made up of a set of bones that pile up one on top of another in an ascending manner ( ), the spine.

骨

骨

67

Skeleton

コツ ほね

Ⓡ

bone

Body part (肉 ➝ ⺝) that constitute a pile of bones (冎), the skeleton, the bones per se.

⽍

歹

68

Bone remains

Ⓡ

Originally 歺, bones (⺊ ➝ 一) that have been left on top of a piece of decaying meat (肉 ➝ 月 ➝ 夕).

75

死

死

69

シ

Remnant bones of a person

し.ぬ

to die

The bone remains (⽍) of a person (人 ➝ 匕), the body of a person decomposed by the passage of time, the image of death. The top line of the component ⽍ (bone remains) has been extended to cover also the component 匕 (person from behind). 70

囟

Skull

田

The upper part of the skull, seen from above (⼞), with visible separations (㐅 ➝ 十) between the frontal and parietal bones. This component may appear simplified form 田.

A human skull seen from top

異

異

イ こと

Person putting on a skull mask difference

76

71

Ⓡ

Originally 𠔱, a person seen from the front (大 ➝ ) putting on, with two raised hands (艸 ➝ 艹), a mask with the appearance of a skull (囟 ➝ 田), which makes him look like a different being from the ordinary man.

Jade masks from the Neolithic Liangzhu (良渚) culture

禺

禺

72

グ

Person dancing with a skull mask on

A person who wears a mask with the appearance of a skull and wiggles his trunk and arms, a person of a strange and peculiar appearance. The upper part of the component, 田, shows the skull mask (囟 ➝ 田), whereas the lower part 禸 shows the open arms (冂) and the body making a serpentine movement (厶). グ

偶

偶

Person 亻 resembling a masked dancer 禺 グウ

73

doll unexpectedly

NOTE This character originally referred, most probably, to funerary effigies or masks that were put on the deceased. Later on, this meaning began to be associated with any kind of human representation and, eventually, earthen and wooden dolls. The meaning of ‘unexpected’ comes from the unpredictability of death 77

that is associated with the custom of putting masks on the deceased.

畏

畏

イ おそ.れる

Person wearing a skull mask and holding a stick

74

to fear

A person (人 ➝ ⼉ ➝ ) wearing a mask with the appearance of a skull (囟 ➝ 田) and holding a club (一) while making threatening gestures. In a similar fashion to the character 辰 (person holding a tool), the strokes standing for the stick and the strokes representing the arms and legs of the person have merged into the form .

凶

凶

75

Open skull

キョウ

disaster

A skull lacking its upper cover (囟 ➝ 凶), a broken skull, a disaster.

Body part 月 leaning 勹 towards the

胸

胸

キョウ むね むな-

organs that otherwise would be キョウ

unprotected as an open skull 凶 bosom

78

76

77

Top of the head

ノウ Originally

[巛囟], a skull seen from above (囟 ➝ 凶) with some

hair (巛 ➝ ⺍) coming out of it, thus highlighting that upper part of the head. The modern version of the character, which depicts an open skull (凶) also alludes to what is inside the skull rather than the skull itself.

脳

脳

ノウ

呂

呂

Body part 月 located inside the skull

78 ノウ

brain 79

backbones [fig.]

ロ

Two linked vertebrae (口㇒口), a graphical simplification of the backbone. The meaning of this character is mostly used in a figurative sense, in contrast to the character 脊 (spine) which withholds a literal sense.

79

侶

侶

Person 亻 connected to other person like

80

ロ

linked backbones 呂

リョ

companion

咼

咼 A pile of bones (冎 ➝

予

予

81

カ

Pile of bones and backbones

) next to a single backbone (呂 ➝ 口). 82

Joined vertebrae

ヨ

beforehand

Two vertebrae graphically joined by a line, referring to the meaning of ‘union’ or ‘connection’. The composition of this character is very similar to that of 呂 (backbones), but that and this character have evolved differently, perhaps as a result of a need to differentiate the assigned meanings. In the present glyph, the graphic elements depicting the vertebrae (口×2), have been simplified into the glyphs and 乛, and the link between them has been more accentuated with the long stroke 亅. As a standalone character, this graph takes on the meaning of ‘beforehand’, perhaps due to a phonetic loan. Nevertheless, this meaning may be associated with the concept of the beforehand need for the existence of a marrow and a connected spinal column in order to make the movement of vertebrate animals possible.

80

2 | HEART Protected by the thoracic bones, there is one of the most important organs, the heart 心, which conceptually is almost universally associated with feelings, and in the particular case of East Asia, and therefore in the context of Chinese characters, also with the mind.

83

⼼

心忄

heart

シン こころ

Ⓡ

Mind Feelings

Schematic representation of a heart, with the outline shown by the stroke ㇟ and the aortas, extending outwards, by the strokes ㇒, ㇔ and ㇔. When placed on the left of a new compound, the glyph gets simplified into 忄. As a component, this character usually takes meanings related to ‘feelings’, ’emotions’.

忘

ボウ

ボウ

Perished 亡 feelings 心

忘 わす.れる

to forget

81

84

忙

Feelings 忄 perishing 亡

ボウ

忙 いそが.しい 恣

恣 悔

悔 愚

愚

85

ボウ

busy 86

ツ

シ

カイ く.いる くや.しい

グ おろ.か

悩

ノウ

悩

なや.む

思

思

Sequence 次 dictated by feelings 心 arbitrary マイ

87

Feelings 忄 of a scruffy woman 毎 regrettable Feelings 心 evoked by the sight of

88

グ

person dancing with a mask on 禺 foolish Feelings 忄 emanating from inside the head

89

ノウ

to be worried 90

シ

Skull and heart

おも.う

to think

Originally 恖 [囟⼼], the action achieved by the connection established between the mental power of the head, represented by the skull (囟 ➝ 田), and the consciousness, expressed through the 82

feelings and perceptions symbolized by the heart (心).

83

3 | EYES Another fundamental organ of the human body, needed for engaging in the visual nature of kanji, is the eye 目. Eyes are also the focal point around which individual faces arise, for the ‘face’ is what surrounds the eye

面. If the face gets a wider

contour on which hair can rest, then we get the head

首.

91

目

罒目

Ⓡ

モク ボク め

eye

ま-

An eye, with its pupil in the center, turned vertically (罒 ➝ 目). As a component it may sometimes appear in its horizontal, original form: 罒.

盲

盲

モウ

Perished 亡 eye 目

モウ

見

見

92

blind

ケン

Person with an open eye

93

Ⓡ

to see

み.る

to look

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) with a big eye (目) that allows him to look 84

around and see things.

規

規

94

キ

艮

艮

Adult person夫 who is looking 見 regulation 95

Looking person

コン

Still person

The original form of this glyph was 𥃩, the reverse form of 見 (to look). It represents a person turning his back (匕 ➝ ) and looking (目 ➝ 日) at something, suggesting the meaning of a person who is still (while looking at something), not moving.

恨

恨

96

コン

Feelings 心 kept still 艮

コン うら.む

to resent 97

眼

眼

ガン ゲン まなこ

コン

Eye 目 of a looking person 艮 eyeball 98

眉

眉

ミ ビ まゆ

eyebrow

Bushy eyebrows (𠃜) over an eye (目). 85

99

面

面

メン おもて

face [fig.]

おもつら

mask

The contour (𫩑) surrounding the eyes (目), the face. The upper part of the contour (丆) appears to be the remainder of a variant of the pictogram where hair could be seen ( ). The upper and lower strokes of the eye (目, 二) overlap with the adjacent strokes of the contour. The meaning of this character and component is usually taken figuratively, in most cases it refers to surfaces, contours or actions such as facing something. When the character appears alone as a single word, it can also take on the meaning of ‘mask’.

臣

臣

100

Eye looking down

シン ジン

vassal

An eye looking downwards. This graph is a derivation of the character 目 (eye), leaning down and slightly deformed. The people who lower their eyes in front of other people are understood here as ‘vassals’ or subjects of other people.

86

姫

姫

101

ひめ

Woman 女 looking down 臣 young lady 102

臥

Person looking down

Originally 臥, a person (人 ➝

) looking downwards with his eye

(臣).

首

首

103

➀ head [fig.]

➀ シュ ➁ くび

➁ neck

This character originally was the pictographic representation of a detailed head shown in profile. Over time, the shape of the glyph was reduced to an eye (目) crowned by a schematic representation of hair (䒑). This sinogram originally had the exclusive meaning of a physical ‘head’, however, at the present time, such meaning is mostly used figuratively. On the other hand, when the character appears alone as a word, it gets the derived meaning of ‘neck’.

頁

頁

104

Head

ケツ

Ⓡ ㊔

Originally 𩑋, the body of a kneeling person (卩 ➝ ⼉ ➝ ハ) on which a big head (首 ➝ 𦣻) is resting. 87

This component emerges as a semantic substitute for 首 (head). Both 首 and 頁 take on the meaning of ‘head’, but the former does it in figurative way and the latter in a literal way. In any case, it is important to note that the present graph never acts as a standalone character, but only as a primitive component for other compound characters.

頃

頃 傾

105

ころ

What is on the back 匕 of the head 頁 around カ

ケイ

Transformed 化 head 頁

傾 かたむ.く 頬

頬 預

106

to lean 107

ほお

What is in the middle 夹 of the head 頁

cheeks ヨ

ヨ

預 あず.ける

Joined vertebra 予 under the head 頁 to deposit

88

108

4 | NOSE, EARS AND HAIR Besides the eyes, other facial organs related to the senses, such as the nose 自 or the ear 耳, appear within the compositional frame of sinitic characters. In addition, there is the outer element that covers the head, namely the hair

彡, or, in the case of

animals, the element that covers the whole body, the fur

自

109

シ ジ

自

毛.

Nose oneself

みずか.ら

A large nose and its nostrils (𦣹 ➝ 自). This character only takes on the meaning of ‘nose’ when acts as a component. As a standalone character it has the meaning of ‘self ’, probably as an allusion to the characteristic gesture of touching the nose people from East Asian cultural environments make when they point to themselves.

息

息

110

ソク いき

SPECIAL READING

Feeling 心 felt through the nose 自 breath 息子 [むすこ]: son

89

耳

耳

111

Ⓡ

ジ みみ

ear

An ear seen from the side, with the outline represented by the encircling strokes 㔿; and the inner folds by the straight strokes 二. 112

恥

➀チ ➀ はじ ➁

Ear 耳 listening to inner feelings 心 ➀ shame

恥 は.ずかしい

➁ ashamed 113

彡

Hair

Ⓡ

A simple depiction of a bush of hair represented by three slanted lines (㇒×3).

須

須

114

ス

⽑

毛

Hair 彡 over the head 頁 required 115

モウ け

fur

Abundant hair (彡) coming out from what it appears to be the tail

90

of an animal (乚).

尾

尾

ビ お

㐱

㐱 A person (人 ➝

Fur 毛 coming out from the behinds of a sitting animal 尸

116

tail 117

Person with long hair

チン

Aged person

) with long and abundant hair (彡), making an

allusion to the idea of an aged person, since, as seen in the character for “old man” (老), long loose hair was associated in ancient China with the elderly.

91

5 | MOUTH In this chapter we have so far reviewed the bones, heart, eyes, nose, ears and hair, but to finish, we still have to talk about a facial organ of utmost importance in relation to language (and by extension, to thought): the mouth 口, an element that within the sinitic compounds set alludes directly to the notion of ‘words’. We will see, then, that within kanji, the element for ‘mouth’ is more closely related to the meaning of ‘speech’ than that of ‘eating’. Everything related to speech, a primordial element of human social life, can be seen through many analytical spectra, therefore, sometimes, different connotational specifications are required. For example, words in general (represented by the ‘mouth’ icon shown before) are not the same as specific words pronounced by a moving ‘tongue’ 舌. Chinese characters can get even more specific and, to express that someone ‘says’ something, it will be either shown as words coming out of a moving tongue: 言; or as words within the mouth itself: 曰. Finally, when the meanings of certain Chinese characters are supposed to specify that what is said is being addressed to someone in particular, it is done by turning upside down the mouth and the words coming out of it:

亼.

118

⼝

口

ク コウ くち

mouth

Ⓡ

Words

A big open mouth. As a component, this character very often takes on the meaning of 92

things related to speech or ‘words’.

吹

吹

119

スイ

Mouth 口 exhaling air 欠

ふ.く

to blow 120

シン

唇

シン

What holds 辰 the mouth 口 together

唇

くちびる

lips

如

如

121

Women 女 and words 口

ジョ ニョ

司

司

likeness 122

シ

Person depositing words to govern

A person (人 ➝ ) who puts words (口) down on the rest of the people, someone who governs over others. シ

伺

伺

シ

Person depositing words 司 on another person 亻

うかが.う

to implore

93

123

后

コウ

后

Person depositing words from the other side

124

empress

Akin to the character 司 (to govern), this glyph depicts a person depositing words or rules on people. In this case, the person (匕 ➝ 𠂋) is placed on a different side than the aforementioned character. This glyph refers, hence, to an ally of the governor, as a first lady or ‘empress’ can be. 125

キョウ

兄

ケイ

兄

Person pronouncing words elder brother

あに

SPECIAL READING

お兄さん [おにいさん]: elder brother

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) with his mouth visibly open (口), pronouncing some words. A person with the authority to speak with transcendence, someone with the powers to take care of family matters: the firstborn, the elder brother.

呪

呪

キョウ

ジュ

Words 口 spoken by an elder brother 兄

のろ.う

to curse

呉

呉

126

127

ゴ

Person subjugated to words Wu [place name]

94

A person bowing his head ( ) before the words (口) pronounced by a leader or governor. This character, thus refers to an obedient people and a stable kingdom. This glyph is mainly used to designate different kingdoms that have existed in the central zone of the Chinese coast, in particular the Wu State of the Spring and Autumn period and the Eastern Wu State of the Three Kingdoms period within Chinese history. This graphically resounding character is also currently used in various Japanese and Chinese place names.

娯

娯

ゴ

ゴ

128

Woman 女 subjugated to one's words 呉

amusement 129

舌

舌

ゼツ した

Tongue moving outside the Ⓡ mouth tongue

A tongue (千) coming out of a mouth (口). The tongue looks forked as that of a snake and has two dots in the middle (evolved later into a single straight, crossing line), just to evoke the idea of the movement the tongue makes while talking. 130

憩

ケイ

Tongue talking 舌 and nose breathing 息

憩

いこ.い

relaxation

95

⾔

言

➀ ➁ ゲン ➀ ➁ ゴン ➀➁ い.う ➂ こと

Words coming out of a moving tongue

131

Ⓡ

➀ to say ➁ to tell ➂ speech

This character, in origin, is an evolution of the character 舌 (tongue), to which a line at the top was added to suggest words coming out from it. Over time, the strokes representing the moving tongue (千) and the stroke representing the pronounced words (一) merged into four horizontal lines: 亖. The meaning of this character encompasses what has to do with ‘speech’: saying and telling things.

信

信 訳

訳

132

シン

Person 亻 believing in a speech 言 faith 133

シャク

ヤク わけ

Speech 言 being measured 尺 interpretation チン

診

シン

Something said 言 to an aged person 㐱

診

み.る

to diagnose

96

134

諮

諮 詞

詞 誤

誤 話

話

シ はか.る

Saying 言 words 口 with an open mouth 欠 to consult with

136

シ

シ

135

Speech 言 that is deposited 司 words ゴ

ゴ

Speech 言 of a subjugated person 呉

あやま.る

to make a mistake

137

138

ワ

Speech 言 of the tongue 舌

はな.す

to talk 139

曰

Spoken words

曰

to speak

An open mouth (口) with spoken words inside (一). This glyph has an ideogrammatic composition similar to the character 言 (to say), but the words appear retained inside the mouth instead of coming out of it, for the present character focuses more on the act of the pronunciation of words rather than on the speech that emerges from them.

97

旨

旨

140

Person over his words

シ むね

principle

A person (匕) standing upright on his spoken words (曰), reaffirming them. Someone consistent with his principles.

脂

脂 詣

詣

シ

シ あぶら

ケイ もう.でる

曷

曷

141

Meat’s 月 core principle 旨 fat Following the principles 旨 of a

142

religious speech 言 to make a pilgrimage 143

カツ

Words leaning over a person

Threatening words

Spoken words (曰) leaning (勹) over somebody threatened to be perished (亾 ← 亡). This glyph appears in an alternative version in some compounds, where the lower part 匃 is replaced by the component 匂 (person leaning over another person).

98

喝

喝 謁

謁

Mouth 口 pronouncing threatening words

カツ

144

カツ

to exclaim 145

エツ

替

替

To be told 言 threatening words

カツ

to have an audience with

タイ か.える

Two adults speaking to each other

146

to exchange

Two adults (夫×2 ➝ 㚘) exchanging spoken words (曰).

音

音

オン イン おと ね

Sound emerging from the words that come out of a moving tongue

147

Ⓡ

sound

This character is a derivation of the character 言 (to say), to which a line has been added on top of the “words coming out” (亖 + 一 ➝ 立) to emphasize the sound that comes from a speaking mouth (曰).

99

意

意

148

Sound of the feelings

イ オク

idea

This character shows a very clear metaphorical description of the represented concept, ‘idea’: the sound (音) of the heart (心), that what is told by the heart (or mind, for that matter).

億

億 臆

臆 憶

憶

149

オク

オク

One person's 亻 ideas 意 hundred million Bare body part 月 conceptualized as an

150

オク

idea 意

オク

timidity オク

オク

151

Feelings 忄 coming from ideas 意 recollection 152

甘

甘曰

Mouth tasting a piece of food カン あま.い sweet

A mouth (廿) with a piece of food inside (一) which has an intense or sweet flavor. This glyph, of an appearance quite similar to the character 曰 100

(spoken words), keeps its outlining more faithful to the original pictogram (廿 instead of 口) in order be differentiated from the said character, although in some compounds the simpler form 曰 is also currently used to represent the meaning of 甘 (mouth tasting a piece of food). The stroke in the middle (一) always represents, however, a piece of food rather than words being spoken. 153

由

由

ユ ユウ ユイ よし

Piece of food entering into the mouth cause

Originally 𠙹, a piece of food (◇ ➝ 十) entering the mouth (𠙵 ← 口). Food, nourishment, is represented here ideographically as the source of vital energy, the ‘cause’ of our actions, because without food life and action would not be conceivable.

届

届

Sitting person 尸 bringing food to the

154

mouth 由

とど.ける

to deliver

牙

牙

155

ゲ ガ きば

fangs

Schematic representation of two large, crisscrossed fangs (匸,

101

).

亼

156

Ⓡ

Mouth talking to someone

An open mouth looking downwards, as the reverse version of the primitive version of the character for “mouth” (𠙵 ➝ ➝ ). A reversed mouth represents somebody speaking words from top to bottom, someone who speaks to another person from a higher position, denoting a sense of power or control.

令

令

レイ

Mouth talking to a kneeling person

157

command

Words spoken to (亼) a kneeling person (卩 ➝ ). Put it another way, ‘commands’ being told to a subject that is in a position of submission.

領

領

158

レイ

リョウ

Commands 令 made by the head 頁 dominion 159

命

➀ ➁
 メイ

ミョウ 命 ➁➁ いのち

レイ

Words 口 that imply commands 令 ➀ orders ➁ fate

102

160

合

合

カツ ガツ ゴウ あ.う

Two open mouths talking to each other to come together

A mouth speaking to (亼) another mouth that pronounces words (口), two mouths speaking in unison, two people speaking with one voice, people coming together. 161

今

今

コン キン いま

Retained words now

This character is an ideographic derivation of the component 亼 (mouth talking to someone), in which the words represented with a line (一) have got another line added below, which in turn represents a blockade (一 ➝ フ): words retained in an instant, now. The graphic form of this glyph can be thought as a reverse version of the component 曰 (speaking mouth).

吟

吟 含

含

キン

ギン

ガン ふく.む

162

Mouth 口 retaining words 今 recital 今

Words retained 今 in the mouth 口 to contain

103

163

念

念

164

Retained feelings

ネン

sense

Feelings retained (今) in the heart (心): senses or sentiments.

㑒

㑒

ケン

Mouth talking to people pronouncing words

165

Authority

Originally 僉, a mouth talking to (亼) several other people who talked before (兄×2 ➝ 㒭 ➝ ➝ ), evoking a sense of an authority greater than the rest.

倹

倹

ケン

ケン

Person 亻 listening to authority 㑒 thrift

104

166

REVIEW ON HUMAN BODY

冎⾁脊⾻⽍死囟異禺畏凶 呂 1 咼予 背肥育偶胸脳侶 2

3

4

5

⼼思 忘忙恣悔愚悩

⽬⾒⾉眉⾯⾂臥⾸⾴ 盲規恨眼姫頃傾頬預

⾃⽿彡⽑㐱 息恥須尾

⼝司后兄呉⾆⾔⽈旨曷替⾳ 意⽢由⽛亼令合今念㑒 吹唇如伺呪娯憩信訳診諮詞誤話脂 詣喝謁億臆憶届領命吟含倹

105

LIMBS 1 | HANDS So far we have seen how different parts of the body are useful to describe a broad range of human activities. Nevertheless, we still have to analyze a primordial element of the human being, without which it could not perform most of the daily activities. That is the hand

手. So often is the concept of hand used within Chinese characters compositions that different types of hand positions have also become primordial components on their own. Among these types of hands there is, for example, the outstretched hand 又, which appears ‘again’ and again holding several kinds of objects, such as a simple stick

丈̶which symbolizes an extra ‘length’ of

the reach of a hand–; a stone

父—which symbolizes the

craftsmanship of the ‘father’ of a family–; a writing brush several weapons such a club

, a sledgehammer

聿;

⽎, or a flail

攵. Other postures of the hand are, for example, the hand grasping something tightly

丑 or the hand grabbing something

爪, that evokes the shape of some claws or ‘nails’.

167

⼿

手扌

Ⓡ

シュ hand

て た-

The palm of the hand with outstretched fingers. 106

The vertical stroke 亅 represents the wrist and the palm proper. The horizontal strokes 三 are a very schematic depiction of five extended fingers. When the character acts as a component it usually gets simplified to the form 扌 and is placed to the left.

批

批

ヒ

ヒ

振

シン

振

ふ.る

抑

抑 把

把

ヨク おさ.える

Hand 扌 comparing 比 things crticism Hand 扌 working with an agrarian

169

シン

tool 辰 to swing Hand 扌 forcing a person to bow to

170

another person 卬 to suppress 171

ハ

ハ

168

Hand 扌 big 巴 enough to grasp things

grasp

107

挟

挟 拉

拉

キョウ はさ.む

Hand 扌 putting something in the キョウ

middle of other things 夹 to insert

リュウ

ラ

172

173

Hand 扌helping a person to stand up 立

abduction

NOTE This character originally had the connotation of someone stretching his or her hand to help someone—probably a child—to stand and walk. Within the Japanese language, the meaning of this character later came to refer to ‘attraction’ (the outstretched hand that attracts the child), and afterwards it derived to the negative sense of ‘forced attraction’ or ‘abduction’, which is the only meaning of the character that is currently used in modern Japanese.

抗

抗 摯

扶

扶

Hand 扌 making a defense while コウ

174

コウ

moving towards the ground 亢 resistance 175

シ

Hand 手 taking command 執 earnest フ

フ

Hand 扌 of a husband 夫 aid

108

176

択

択 拐

拐 看

看 括

括

177

シャク

タク

Hand 扌 measuring 尺 something selection 178

カイ

Hand 扌 taking a pile of bones 叧 kidnapping 179

カン

Hand 手 ➝  over the eye observation 180

ゼツ

カツ

Hand 扌 covering the tongue 舌 constriction シ

指

指 掲

➀➁シ ➀ ゆび ➁ さ.す

ケイ

掲 かか.げる

Hand's 扌 functional principle 旨

181

➀ finger ➁ to point Hand 扌 hanging threatening words

to put up a notice

109

182 カツ

抽

抽 拾

拾 捻

捻

Hand 扌 taking out food from the

183

ユウ

mouth 由

チュウ

extraction シュウ ジュウ

Hand 扌 extracting words from a conversation between two mouths 合

ひろ.う

to pick up 185

ネン

ネン

184

Hand's 扌senses 念 being intensified wrench 186

失

シツ

Hand dropping something

失

うしな.う

to lose something

Originally 𢩥, a hand (手 ➝  ➝ 夫) dropping an object (乙 ➝ ㇒) that ends up being lost. 187

又

又

Ⓡ

Outstretched hand

また

again

𠂇⺕

An outstretched hand with open fingers in position to grasp, touch or manipulate something.

110

This schematic character, whose strokes represent an upwardly inclined hand with three simplified fingers, gets sometimes even more schematic when it adopts the form 𠂇 while acting as a component and is placed at the top. Additionally, in a few compound characters, the original tilted form 又 becomes horizontal: ⺕ or . This glyph appears most frequently acting as a component with the meaning of ‘outstretched hand’, however, it also takes a place in the list of jōyō kanji as a standalone character with the meaning of ‘again’. This latter meaning may be related to the figurative idea of an added aiding outstretched hand that can be used again and again.

右

右

ウ ユウ みぎ

Hand outstretched 𠂇 to the

188

mouth 口 right hand side

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) reaching the mouth (口), indicating the action of taking food to the mouth while eating, an action that most people perform with their right hand.

及

刍及

Outstretched hand touching キュウ a person

およ.ぶ

189

to reach out

An outstretched hand (又) reaching a person (人 ➝ ⺈). The original form of this character is 刍, in which the outstretched hand is shown horizontally ( ). When the character acts as a standalone, however, it takes the form 及, in which the hand is shown tilted (又). 111

吸

吸 扱

扱

キュウ

キュウ

Mouth 口 reaching out 及 to something

す.う

to suck

190

191

あつか.う

Hand 扌 that has reached a person 及 to handle

急

ギュウ

急

いそ.ぐ

Feelings reaching out to a person

192

to hurry チュウ

A feeling (心) that quickly reaches (刍) a person and urges him to take action. 193

Kneeling person held by an outstretched hand A kneeling person (卩) being captured and held by an outstretched hand (又).

報

➀ ホウ

➁

報 むく.いる

Fortune 幸 taken upon a held person

➀ to report ➁ to recompense

112

194

Body parts 月 held by an outstretched

服

服

195

hand

フク

subjugation clothing

NOTE Clothing understood as an object that touches the body and is held by it.

奴

奴

Woman held by an outstretched hand

ド

196

servant

A woman (女) being controlled by an outstretched hand (又), referring to a maid or female servant.

怒

怒

ド いか.る おこ.る

妻

妻

197 ド

Feelings 心 of a servant 奴 to get angry

サイ つま

Woman controlled by an outstretched hand

198

wife

Graphic composition that represents, literally, a woman (女) held by the hair (十) with an outstretched hand (⺕ = 又), in a figurative representation of a woman under control, a wife of the old times.

113

The conceptual graphic composition of this character is similar to that of the character 每 (scruffy woman).

有

有

ウ

Outstretched hand holding a piece of meat

あ.る

to have

ユウ

199

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) holding tight a piece of meat (肉 ➝ 月 ➝ ⺝), taking possession of it, having it.

臤

Eye touched by an outstretched hand

ケン

200

Delicate An eye looking down (臣) that is being touched by an outstretched hand (又). This ideogram suggests the idea of something very delicate or fragile.

腎

腎

ジン

Delicate

ケン

201

body part ⺝

kidney

取

シュ

取

と.る

Ear being held by an outstretched hand

202

to take

An outstretched hand (又) grabbing an ear (耳). This ideogram evokes the idea of a child being taken by the ear while being 114

scolded.

丈

丈

ジョウ たけ

Outstretched hand holding a stick

203

length

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 㐅) holding a stick (一) that extends the length of the reach of the said hand.

吏

吏

リ

Words and sticks acting together

204

government official

A person that symbolically holds with his outstretched hand a stick (丈) and words (口), a person with the power of speech— represented by the mouth—and the power of force—represented by the stick. A person with great power, like a government official.

使

使

シ

Person 亻 acting as a government official 吏

つか.う

君

君

205

to utilize

➀ クン ➀➁ きみ

Guiding with words and a stick ➀ mister ➁ you 115

206

A hand holding a stick ((⺕ + 丿) ➝ 尹 ≈ 丈)), and a mouth pronouncing words (口). Ideogram with a graphical formation similar to the character 吏 (government official). This glyph also suggests the idea of a man or ‘minister’ who leads with the power of speech—represented by the mouth—and the power of strength —represented by the stick.

史

史

207

Outstretched words

シ

history

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 㐅) holding words (口), or put it another way, the words that are chosen to be spread or outstretched: the official chronicles, history.

⽗

父 SPECIAL READING

208

フ ちち

Hand holding a stone father

お父さん [おとおさん]: father

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ ) holding a stone used as a tool(㇒), a representation of the hand of a man with responsibilities like the father of a family.

⾀

聿

209

Hand holding a brush

An outstretched hand (⺕) holding a brush in vertical position, depicted by its handle (丨) and its bristles (二).

116

書

書

210

ショ

A hand making a brush talk

か.く

to write

A hand holding a brush (聿 ➝ (曰), words written with a brush.

) that generates spoken words

211

事

事

ジ ズ こと

What can be written and told

affair

Something worthy of being written by a hand holding a brush (聿 ➝ ➝ ) or spoken through words (口). The graphical composition of this character is very similar to that of the character 吏 (government official), but in this case, the hand, instead of holding a stick that reaches out longer distances, holds a writing brush. This subtle difference can be distinguished in the original script by a small stroke added in the upper part that symbolizes a brush, analogous to the strokes of the component 聿 (a hand holding a brush), but turned around (聿 ➝ ). In the modern version of the character, such difference disappears (because the two bristles of the brush have merged into one). On the other hand, two different compositional glyphs are kept for the hand element (⺕, 又) in order to differentiate the meanings. 212

Hands holding a club

シン

This pictogram originally depicts an outstretched hand (又) grabbing a kind of club with several spikes ( ) by its handle (冖). 117

The element , however, is very similar to the component for “outstretched hand” (⺕), hence letting the character being interpreted as the image of two hands (⺕, 又) holding a club (冖). Be it as it may, the concept represented by this character is that of a weapon used in attack.

侵

侵

シン

シン

Person 亻 using a club 𠬶

おか.す

to invade

213

214

殳

Hand holding a sledgehammer

殳

Hand hitting something with a weapon

Ⓡ

An outstretched hand (又) gripping a hammer (⼏) that can be either used as a tool or as a weapon. This component can also imply the action of hitting something with an object.

股

股 設

設

コ また

セツ もう.ける

Body part 月 that usually gets hit by a

215

weapon ⽎ in petty punishments. thigh Saying 言 something before using a

216

hammer ⽎ to prepare ahead of time

NOTE The meaning of this character most probably derives from the formal need of saying some words—making a declaration— before proceeding to start building something, which is pointed 118

out by the figurative use of a hammer.

投

投

217

トウ

Hand 扌 throwing a hammer ⽎

な.げる

to throw 218

攵

Hand holding a weapon

攵

Blow (sudden impact)

Ⓡ

Originally 攴, an outstretched hand (又) holding some kind of weapon, probably a rudimentary flail (⺊ ➝ ㇒), which is used to make a blow or sudden impact. This glyph eventually became simplified into 攵 by joining the upper strokes. This component's structure is analogous to that of ⽎ (hand holding a sledgehammer). The meaning of this glyph usually refers to the action of hitting or blowing something. 219

教

➀➁ キョウ

➀

教 おし.える ➁ おそ.わる

Blows 攵 used to pass knowledge from コウ

elder men to children 孝 ➀ to teach ➁ to be taught

119

敏

敏

ビン

Scruffy woman being hit with a weapon

220

sensibility

A hand hitting (攵) a scruffy woman (毎), wounding her sensibility. 221

テツ

Child brought up by blows

A child that is being brought up (育) by blows (攵).

撤

撤

テツ

Hand 扌 that takes a child off from being brought up by blows テツ

222

removal

双

双

223

ソウ ふた

Two outstretched hands pair

A pair of outstretched hands (又×2) showcasing their similarity. 224

友

友

ハツ ユウ とも

Two hands acting together friend

Two outstretched hands ((又 ➝ 𠂇), 又)) that act in the same way, 120

two cooperating hands: friendly hands. The composition of this character is the same as the character 双 (pair).

髪

髪 抜

抜

Long 長 ➝ 镸 hair 彡 stroked by two

225

ハツ

ハツ かみ

hands 友

hair of the head

バツ

Hand 扌 held by two other friendly ハツ

hands 友

ぬ.く

摂

摂

226

to pull out

セツ

Hand placed behind the ear to capture the sound

227

vicarious

Originally 摄, a hand (扌) placed behind the ear (耳) in order to capture the sound of a conversation that is vicariously listened to. The action of capturing the sound is reinforced by the addition of a simplified version of the component for a “pair of hands” (双 ➝ ).

丑

丑

228

チュウ

Hand gripping something tightly

㊔

An outstretched hand (⺕) with its fingers slightly bent, pointing 121

downwards (丨), exerting an additional force on an object that is implicitly grasped.

⼨

寸

Wrist

229

Ⓡ

Working hand

スン

unit of length [~ 3 cm]

An outstretched hand (𠂇 ➝ by a dot (丶).

) with its wrist visibly pointed out

When this character works as a component, its meaning gets amplified to the scope of actions that imply hand movements made by the wrist, so to speak, any kind of manual work: the activities made by a ‘working hand’. On the other hand, when acts as a standalone it adopts the connotation of a unit of length (3 cm) that approximately matches the average length of a human wrist.

辱

辱

ジョク はずかし. める

耐

タイ

耐

た.える

Hand working 寸 with an agrarian

230

tool 辰 to disgrace Person wearing a raincoat 而 while working with his hands 寸 to withstand

122

231

対

対 肘

肘

232

タイ ツイ

Writings 文 versus manual work 寸 opposite 233

ひじ

Body part 月 that follows the wrist 寸 elbow 234

討

トウ

To be told 言 to work with the hands 寸

討

う.つ

to chastise

付

付

フ つ.く

A person and his working hands

235

to be attached

The ordinary person (亻) attached to manual work (寸) as a livelihood.

射

シャ

射

い.る

Working hand causing pregnancy

236

to emit

A hand working (寸) so that a woman can become ready for gestation (身) and emitting offspring, alluding most probably to some kind of shamanic ritual of fertility.

123

謝

シャ

シャ

謝 あやま.る

237

Speech 言 being formally emitted 射 to apologize

NOTE Referring to the issuance of some kind of official note of gratitude or apology. 238

Ⓡ ⼶

⼶

廾 ハ⺽

Two raised hands

Originally 𠬞, both an outstretched left hand (𠂈) and right hand (又) looking upwards, as in the stance of holding or raising something. Over time, the strokes of this component got simplified and adopted the form ⼶ in most compounds. This simplification can go even further into just two strokes with the form ハ that is found in several characters. This component also has a primitive variant with the hands placed in an horizontal position analogue to the form ⺕ of the component 又 (outstretched hand). This form is 𦥑, which is attested in the original versions of many characters but does not remain with the same strokes in most contemporary compounds.

⼶

臾

239

Two raised hands holding a person

Two raised hands (𦥑 ← ⼶) holding a person (人).

124

This character, in the compounds, takes the simplified form

共

共

. 240

キョウ とも

Four hands working together

together

Originally 𦱹, four outstretched and intertwined hands (又 ≈ 屮×4 ➝ 艸×2 ➝  + ハ) working in conjunction. If this component appears in the upper part of a compound, it takes the compressed form . 241

➀ キョウ

供

供

➁ク

Person 亻 that goes together 共

➀ とも ➁

➀ follower

そな.える

恭

恭

キョウ

キョウ うやうや. しい

关

➁ to provide 242

Feelings 心 ➝ ⺗ together

キョウ

shared

respectful 243

Two hands grabbing a knob Opening

A schematic depiction of two raised hands (⼶ ➝ 大) grasping the knob (䒑) of a door.

125

The meanings related to this component usually suggest some kind of opening or new start. 244

咲

さ.く

Words 口 describing a new opening 关 to bloom 245

保

ホ

Person carrying a child

保

たも.つ

to protect

A person (亻) holding a child ( protecting him.

← 子) with two hands(⼶ ➝ ハ),

246

承

承

ショウ うけたまわ.

Two hands holding a baby to accept

る

Two hands raising a baby ((𠬞 ← ⼶ ➝ the acceptance of his birth.

) + 子) ➝ 承), showing

The form 氶 here is analogous to the element 呆 of the character 保 (person carrying a child).

爪

爪爫

247

つめ

Grabbing hand

つま-

nail

Ⓡ

A hand with three stylized stretched fingers pointing downwards, suggesting the action of grabbing something. 126

As a component this character usually gets simplified into 爫. As a standalone this character takes on the meaning of ‘nail’. The idea of grabbing something, thanks to the form the fingers take, can be easily associated to an animal’s claw or, by extension, the nails.

妥

妥

248

ダ

Hand grabbing 爫 a woman 女 gentle 249

孚

Hand grabbing a child

孚

Pictograph of a hand grabbing (爪) a small child (子).

爰

爰

250

エン

Two hands caressing a person

Caress

A hand grabbing (爪) a person who is being enlightened (天 ➝ by the caresses of another outstretched hand (又).

媛

媛

エン

エン

Woman 女 being caressed 爰 beautiful woman

127

)

251

援

援

エン

252

Hand 扌 that caress 爰

エン

assistance 253

ケイ

Hand grabbing an adult man

A hand grabbing (爪 ➝ 爫) an adult person (夫). 254

𢚩

オン

Heart held by two hands

Two hands ((爪 ➝ 爫) + (⺕ ➝ ) ➝ ) holding a heart (心), probably figuratively referring to a state of restlessness or fear that makes the individual intuitively take his hands to the heart.

印

印

イン しるし

Hand grabbing a kneeling person

255

mark

A hand grabbing (爪 ➝ ) a kneeling person (卩) in order to leave a mark on him.

128

256

争

争

ソウ あらそ.う

Two hands fighting over a Ⓡ stick to fight

Originally 爭, two hands (爪 ➝ ⺈) + ⺕) fighting over a rope or stick (亅), like in a contending game of thug of war.

129

2 | ARMS A complementary element to the hands is their prolongation, the arms, that can appear both in a bent position

九—which

highlights muscular ‘strength’; or in an outstretched position 九, which highlights its reach.

257

⼒

力

リキ リョク ちから

Ⓡ

Arm strength

A bent arm with an outstretched hand at its end. The left part of the character is visibly a deformation of the “outstretched hand” component (又 ➝ 𠂇 ➝ ), while the right part shows a slightly bent arm (𠃌). This arm stance seems to evoke the image of a biceps increasing its volume as the arm bents, making an allusion to physical strength.

勉

勉

258

メン

ベン

Avoided 免 physical strength 力 studious ド

努

ド

Strength 力 of a servant 奴

努

つと.める

to strive

130

259

効

効

260

コウ

コウ

Mingling 交 strengths 力

き.く

to be effective 261

加

カ

Strength and words

加

くわ.える

to add

The physical power of the arms (力), complemented by the power of words (口), the ‘addition’ of two different but complementary forces.

劦

劦

262

Several arms

キョウ

Several arms (力×3) working together. 263

脅

脅 脇

脇

キョウ おど.す おびや. かす

Body parts ⺝ approached by several キョウ

arms 劦 to threaten Body part 月 placed next to the arms 劦

beside

わき

armpit

131

264

265

キュウ

九

九

Outstretched arm

ク

nine

ここの.つ

In this character, which is the counterpart of the character 力 (arm), the arm gets unbent (𠃌 ➝ ㇈) while the muscle force gets weakened, indicating its extension and outstretching. As a standalone character the meaning of ‘nine’ is taken, most probably due to a phonetic borrowing. It’s not hard to imagine, however, the outstretched arm as a metaphor to represent the odd number that is “about to reach” the “round” number that is ten.

尻

尻

しり

Outstretched arm 九 pointing underneath a sitting person 尸

266

buttocks

SPECIAL READING

喪

喪

尻尾 [しっぽ]: tail

ソウ も

Words caught by a buried person’s outstretched hand

267

mourning

Several mourning words (口×2) reached by the outstretched arm (九 ➝ 十) of a buried person (亡 ➝ ).

132

尤

尤

ユウ

Person raising his arm superb

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) rising his arm and hand ( ).

133

268

Ⓡ ㊔

3 | FEET Feet, as expected, complete the section dedicated to the limbs, and they appear in several forms and shapes. A foot stepping over the ground 止 tells us about both the ideas of making footsteps or standing up still, making a ‘stop’. If the stepping ‘foot is turned upside down’ 夂, it reinforces the notion of immobility. Conversely, movement is represented by two feet working together, 癶 or ‘two feet going

be it as ‘two feet going upwards’ downwards’

舛, and also by a ‘foot emerging from the ground’

㞢 and a ‘foot entering into the ground’

⽌

止龰

帀.

269

シ

Footstep

と.まる

to stop

Ⓡ

Stylized image of the print of a footstep in the ground. The lower stroke 一 represents the mark of the sole of the feet, whereas the upper strokes 丨 and ⺊ represent the mark of the fingers. As a component this glyph can take the simplified form 龰. The current standalone meaning of ‘to stop’ is directly related to the concept of footstep: a step that stops still on the ground for a moment.

134

270

企

キ

Person

企 くわだ.てる 肯

肯

making footsteps 止 to undertake 271

コウ

此

此

Footsteps 止 over matter⺝ affirmation

シ

Footsteps left behind

272

㊔

this

Footsteps (止) left behind by a person who walks away turning his back (匕).

先

先

セン さき

Person walking on another one’s footsteps

273

previous

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) walking in the footsteps (止 ➝ ⺧) previously left by another person.

⾛

走

274

ソウ

Person wiggling over his feet Ⓡ

はし.る

to run

Originally 𧺆, a person wiggling (夭 ➝ 土) over his own feet (止 ➝ 龰) as he runs. 135

趣

趣

シュ

Running 走 after something in order to

275

シュ

take it 取

おもむき

tendency 276

⾜

足⻊

➀ ➁ ソク ➀ あし ➁ た.す

➀ foot and leg

Ⓡ

➁ to add up

A foot (止 ➝ 龰) and a leg extending upwards to the knee, which is stylized as ⼞. This character means both foot and leg, as so does the Japanese word あし. The additional meanings ‘to add up’ comes from the image of the leg ‘added’ to the foot. When this component is placed on the left, it takes the following narrowed form: ⻊.

促

ソク

促 うなが.す 捉

捉

ソク とら.える

Person 亻 pressing hard with his foot

277

ソク

and leg 足 to press [fig.] Hand 扌 grabbing an ankle placed ソク

between the foot and the leg 足 to capture

136

278

279

⼡

Foot turned upside down

夂

Ⓡ

Still foot

A foot looking downwards. This is the character 止 (footstep) turned upside down, suggesting immobility in contrast to the movement evoked by the footprint of the foot looking upwards. In many instances this component is used to indicate standing, still feet. 280

夏

夏

カ ゲ なつ

Head 頁 ➝ 𦣻 still 夂 due to the heat

⽨

癶 The left and right feet ((

summer 281

Two feet going upwards

Ⓡ

+ 止) ➝ 𣥠 ➝ 癶) looking upwards: two

feet moving in an upward direction.

舛

舛

282

Two feet going downwards

The right foot (夂 ➝ 夕) and the left foot ( down: two feet moving downwards.

Ⓡ 舛

➝ 㐄) turned upside

In a few compounds this component appears arranged vertically in the following form: 夅. 137

283

㞢

㞢 士之

シ

Foot coming out and moving forward

㊔ 之

of

A foot (止 ← 屮) coming out from the ground (一) in order to start a path forward. The original form 㞢 gets simplified in the compounds into 士 or further into 之. 284

志

シ

志

こころざ.す

Feelings coming out to intend

Originally 𢗍, the feelings (心) that come out like an emerging foot シ

(㞢 ➝ 士).

誌

誌

シ

シ

寺

寺

285

Speech 言 with intentions 志 records

ジ てら

Hand working and foot moving forward

286

temple

A place where manual work (寸) is carried out in a constant and 138

シ

advancing (㞢 ➝ 土) way. In origin this character probably was making reference to some kind of administrative institution, but over time it was taken to designate religious temples, and more concretely Buddhist temples—where, in any case, manual work is constantly required. 287

Person 亻 moving forward and

侍

ジ

ジ

working with his hands 寺

侍 さむらい

warrior samurai

詩

詩 持

持

288

ジ

シ

ジ も.つ

Speech 言 made in temples 寺 poem 289

Hand 扌 of someone who moves ジ

forward and works with his hands 寺 to hold

乏

乏

290

ボウ

Blocked foot

とぼ.しい

limited

A moving foot (㞢 ➝ 之) being blocked by an obstacle ( limits its movement.

139

) that

291

帀

Foot going backward

帀

An emerging foot turned upside down (㞢 ➝ 帀), suggesting a return movement. 292

Footprint

スイ

Ⓡ

Trace

Schematic representation of a footprint left on the ground, where only the more prominent parts of the foot’s plant (㠯) and toes (㇀) remain visible. 293

師

師

シ

Traces

スイ

to which one goes back 帀 teacher

140

REVIEW ON LIMBS

⼿失⼜右及急 奴妻有臤取丈 吏君史⽗⾀事𠬶⽎攵敏双友摂 丑⼨付射⼶臾共关保承⽖孚 爰 𢚩印争 1 批振抑把挟拉抗摯扶択拐看括指掲 抽拾捻吸扱報服怒腎使書侵股設投 教撤髪抜辱耐対肘討謝供恭咲妥媛 援 2

⼒加劦九喪尤 勉努効脅脇尻

3

⽌此先⾛⾜夂癶⾇㞢志寺乏 帀 企肯趣促捉夏誌侍詩持師 141

THE NATURAL REALM

142

THE NATURAL REALM Once we have dealt with the self, people and the human body, it is necessary to look at the surroundings, the most immediate thing encompassing the life of man: Nature. Ancient people divided nature into the intangible and the tangible. The intangible is essential to maintain the spiritual and divine order and the tangible is essential to maintain the material and economic order. Both aspects were considered indispensable for keeping social stability. Within the intangible aspect there are not only gods and divine power, but also time, meteorology, astronomy and what is related to divination, a fundamental part of life at the time when Chinese characters were created. As a matter of fact, Chinese characters owe their development to divination, since Chinese writing emerged and spread thanks to being a fundamental part of divinatory rites. The tangible aspect includes everything related to plants and animals, elements that are paramount for the survival of any society. Elements of nature—earth, water, fire, air (or energy)—stars, plants and trees, oviparous animals and mammals, all of them are extensively present within the corpus of Chinese characters. All these glyphs are grouped, within the natural realm, into the following three groups: Characters used to represent the active elements of nature, characters used to represent plants and trees, and lastly, characters used to represent animals and some of their by-products.

ELEMENTS OF NATURE

1. Energy 2.Stars 3. Water 4. Fire 5. Earth 6. Heaven

PLANTS 1. Small Plants 2. Trees 3. Grains

143

ANIMALS 1. Oviparous 2. Mammals 3. Animal Manipulation 4. Silk Production

THE NATURAL REALM AT A GLANCE ELEMENTS

PLANTS

144

ANIMALS

ELEMENTS OF NATURE 1 | ENERGY Energy or ether was understood by ancient people, at least by the ancient people that created the Chinese characters, as the essential intangible element endowing cognitive beings and natural phenomena with spiritual substance and physical force. Energy, therefore, can be understood as a conceptualization of the spirit or anima, a spirit that is invisible and intangible. But how can one represent what cannot be seen nor touched? Chinese characters give an answer by representing energy as a flow of movement, depicted by abstract lines. The movement of energy is thus represented by continuous lines of different paths, and different types of energy movements are used to represent different ideas. Among those movements there is the flowing ‘energy revolving around itself ’

厶, or the

primeval energy; ‘energy being unfolded’ 乚, alluding to something that can be easily reached; energy spread into two different directions

八, which represents the something that is

‘distributed’; ' energy circulating on a fixed path

己, which

represents the conscious ‘self ’; or energy making a rotation 回, which depicts a ‘revolving’ movement; or even ‘intertwined energies’

丩, which represents confluence.

⼛

厶

294

Flowing energy

145

Symbolic representation of energy flowing freely while revolving around itself.

仏

仏 勾

勾

295

ブツ

Person 亻filled with flowing energy 厶

ほとけ

Buddha 296

コウ

Leaning person’s 勹 flowing energy 厶 incline 297

払

フツ

Hand 扌making energy flow 厶

払

はら.う

to pay

弁

弁

ベン

Two hands ⼶ handing out flowing energy 厶

298

delivery

以

以

イ

Flowing energy linked to a person

299

by means of

Flowing energy (厶 ➝ ) next to a person (人 ➝ ), implying that the former revolves through the latter. This character makes reference, therefore, to the intangible energy that makes men move and act. The representation of energy along a man is thus used here to indicate the meaning of ‘means’ or ‘by means of ’. 146

似

似

ジ

Person 亻linked to another person by

300

イ

the same energy 以

に.る

to resemble

鬼

鬼

301

キ おに

Bare skull and flowing energy Ⓡ

ghost

Flowing energy (厶) of a person (人 ➝ ⼉) whose skull (囟 ➝ 甶) is visibly exposed. The bare skull implies here a deceased person. A deceased person who still has energy flowing through is understood, therefore, as a ‘ghost’.

台

台

Energy in the mouth

タイ ダイ

302

Contained energy podium

Flowing energy (厶) contained within the mouth (口), possibly referring in origin to breath: the physical representation of numinous energy. This graph, when used as a standalone character, is taken by its phonetic value for the meaning of ‘platform’ or ‘podium’, which, however, can easily be associated with the original representational meaning by thinking of podiums as places that enhance, thanks to their elevated place, the voice—which can be understood in turn as energy contained in the mouth.

147

始

シ

A woman 女 containing energy 台 inside

始 はじ.まる 胎

胎

303

タイ

to start タイ

タイ

304

Body part 月 containing new energy 台 womb

305

怠

怠

タイ おこた.る なま.ける

⼄

乚乙

タイ

Energy contained 台 in the heart 心 to neglect 306

Unfolded energy

オツ

Ⓡ

2nd

Current of energy that appears in an unfolded form: 乚; in contrast to the representation of primeval flowing energy that appears revolving on itself: 厶. The original grapheme 乚 is transformed into the more complex form 乙 when the character acts as a standalone, perhaps to make it fit more aesthetically into the compositional balance of other components within a compound. The meaning of the character when it appears as a standalone is that of ‘second in rank’, meaning that originates from the Sinitic ordinal system known as Heavenly Stems (天干), in which ten concrete primitive characters are used to designate different ordinal positions, among which 乙 takes the second one, after 甲 (コウ) and before 丙 (ヘイ). The adoption of this graph to mean ‘second’ 148

may be due to the fact that unfolded energy can be understood as the second step of creation after the energy revolving on itself (厶).

孔

孔

307

コウ

Child 子 unfolding energy 乚 Confucius 308

乱

ラン

Tongue 舌 unfolding energy 乚

乱

みだ.す

to throw out of order Hand grabbing a child 孚 in order to

乳

乳

ニュウ ちち ち

309

unfold energy 乚 to him milk
 breast

也

也

Mouth unfolding energy

他

タ ほか

㊔

Spread energy

チ

to be

Originally 𠃟, a mouth (廿 ← 口) → through the breath, spreading it out.

他

310

) unfolding energy (乚)

Another person's 亻 spread and チ

reachable energy 也 other(s) 149

311

⼋

八 ハ丷

312

ハチ

Distributed energy

や.つ よう

Ⓡ

eight

Two streams of energy spreading into diverging paths (㇒, ㇏), therefore being distributed into different parts. When this character acts as a component, it is usually simplified in ハ or 丷, which is just a reduction in length of the strokes of the original graph. This sinogram, when used as standalone, takes on the meaning of ‘eight’, probably due to a phonetic loan, however the number eight can be easily associated with the notion of distribution thanks to its high divisibility.

亦

亦

Person distributing energy

313

㊔

Shared energy

エキ

also

Originally 𡗕, a person seen from the front (大 ➝ ) distributing energy into diverging paths (八 ➝ ハ), alluding to the idea of deliberate sharing through distribution.

恋

恋

314

レン こい

Shared 亦 feelings 心 endearment

150

跡

跡

ソク

セキ あと

エキ

315

Foot and leg 足 distributing energy 亦 tracks 316

変

ヘン

Shared energy 亦 becoming still 夂

変

か.える

to change

兑

兑

エツ

Energy distributed through words pronounced by a person

317

Exposure

Energy distributed (八 ➝ 丷) through the words pronounced by a person (兄), a person who exposes his thoughts through words. エツ

脱

脱 悦

悦

➁ ダツ ➀ ぬ.ぐ

Body parts 月 being exposed 兑

318

➀ to undress
 ➁ to get rid of エツ

エツ

Feelings 忄 prone to be exposed 兑 joy

151

319

320

説

説

セツ ゼイ

Speech 言 being exposed 兑

と.く

to explain

エツ

321

夋

Energy distributed on the feet

夋

Flowing energy (厶) that is distributed (八 ➝ ⼉) into still feet (夂) in order to make them move.

俊

俊

322

Person’s 亻 feet filled with energy 夋

シュン

swift 323

唆

Words 口 that make feet move 夋

サ

唆 そそのか.す

to instigate 324

公

公

コウ

Portion of distributed energy

おおやけ

public

Distributed energy (八 ➝ ハ) that becomes a new portion of flowing energy (厶). This character suggests the notion of a part extracted from the 152

whole, which translates to the meaning of ‘public’, since something public can be understood as something that belongs to all—the whole—but at the same time can be enjoyed by the parts.

訟

訟

コウ

ショウ

忩

忩

325

Speech 言 made in public 公 litigation 326

Public feelings

ソウ コウ

Portion of distributed energy (公) that is transformed into feelings (心), so to say, public feelings or common awareness.

⽓

气

327

Floating energy

キ

Several streams of energy moving upward, evoking the image of a kind of ether floating in the air. Over time, what used to be three representative lines of unfolded energy currents (乚×3) slightly inclined upward, became stylized into three distinct graphical parts ( , 一, ㇈).

乞

乞

328

こ.う

Unfolded floating energy to beg

153

A part of floating energy (⽓ ➝

) that is meant to be unfolded

(乙) again, something obtained from the air, something that has to be begged or asked for.

⼰

己

329

コ キ おのれ

Circulating energy self

A stream of unfolded energy that turns back and revolves around itself to later unfold again, thus creating a continuous cycle of energetic movement. This circular conception of energy expressed by this glyph lets it, when acting as a standalone, take on the meaning of ‘self ’, referring to the fact that energy, even after being unfolded, ultimately returns to its original state, to itself as it is.

妃

妃 忌

Woman 女 making a royal family ヒ

記

キ

circulate 己 princess 331

キ

キ


忌 い.まわしい 記

330

Circulating 己 feelings 心 sorrowful キ

キ

Sayings 言 that circulate 己

しる.す

to write down

154

332

改

333

キ

カイ

Circulating energy 己 blown away 攵

改 あらた.める

to reform キ

起

キ

Energy that runs 走 into circulation 己

起

お.きる

to get up

包

ホウ

包

つつ.む

Person leaning 勹 over

334

335

something and encircling 己 it

to wrap

A person or some other entity that leans (勹) over some object and encircles it, like circulating energy (己), in order to wrap it.

胞

胞

ホウ

ホウ

Body part 月 wrapping 包 another body

placenta ホウ

抱

抱

336

➀ ホウ ➀ いだ.く ➀ だ.く ➁

Hand 扌 wrapping 包 something or

かか.える

➁ to hold in the arms

someone ➀ to embrace

155

337

回

回

カイ エ

Rotating energy

まわ.る

times

338

to revolve

Originally , a stream of flowing energy that makes a further revolution around itself, forming a sort of spiral of moving energy, graphically emphasizing the notion of rotation or revolution. This character that was originally represented with a continuous line, over time began to be depicted with a square inside another square in order to make its writing faster and easier. The meaning of ‘revolving’ also derives into the notion of ‘times’, as the number of times an action is repeated, as an analogy to the repetitive nature of rotations.

申

电申

339

シン

Expanded energy

もう.す

to expound

A stream of circulating energy that starts revolving at its ends in order to expand itself as it moves into new directions. The current graphical depiction of the character is the result of a convergence between the connotatively similar components of “unfolded energy” (乚) and “rotating energy” ( ➝ 回 ➝ 曰). In some compounds and as a standalone character this component gets simplified to the form 申. As a standalone character the meaning of ‘expounding’ is expressed as a more concretized semantic derivation of the concept of ‘expansion’.

156

伸

伸 俺

俺

シン

Person 亻 expanding energy 申

の.ばす

to expand Person 亻 expanded 电 into a bigger me 342

Intertwined energies

キュウ

Two streams of unfolded energy ((乚 ➝ 𠄌) + ( intertwining with each other.

叫 収

341

person 大

おれ

丩

叫

340

シン

キョウ さけ.ぶ

シュウ

収 おさ.める

➝ 丨))

Mouth 口 exhaling intertwined

343

キュウ

energies to shout Intertwined energies

キュウ

held by an

outstretched hand 又 to yield

157

344

345

句

Intertwined words

ク

句

sentence キュウ

A series of words (口) being intertwined (

➝ 勹), referring to

constructed sentences. ク

局

局 拘

拘

Sitting person 尸 making sentences 句 キャク

346

➝ bureau ク

コウ

Hand 扌 used to extract sentences 句 arrest

158

347

2 | STARS After the invisible and untouchable energies, the natural elements following the rank of metaphysical importance under the world view of the ancients were those things that cannot be touched, but yet can be seen, that is, the elements of the sky. The elements of the sky govern the passing of time, the days and the nights, the hours and the months. The most important star in the sky is undoubtedly the luminous ‘sun’ 日, ruler of the day. At night is the moon who governs, and it can appear the dim light of the ‘crescent moon’ 夕 or with a bright ‘moonlight’ brightens the night sky.

月 that

348

日

日

➀ ➁ ニチ ➁ ジツ ➀➁ひ ➁ -か

Sunlight ➀ sun ➁ day

Ⓡ

SPECIAL READINGS ❶ 今日 [きょう]: today ／ ❷ 八日 [よう か]: eighth day of the month A solar halo with a spot in its center depicting the sunlight. This character was originally written with circular strokes, but later, as in many other characters, the strokes became straightened, converting the solar circle into a square (⼞) and the central luminous spot into a horizontal line (一). The meanings of this character are ‘sun’, ‘sunlight’ and, ultimately, ‘day’.

159

晩

晩

バン

唱

ショウ

唱

とな.える

暗

暗 暖

暖 時

時

349

メン

アン くら.い

Sunlight 日 being avoided 免 dusk Mouth 口 beaming sunlight 日 while

350

speaking 曰 to chant Sunlight 日 indistinguishable as a loud

351

オン

sound 音 dark

ダン あたた. かい

ジ とき

352 エン

Sunlight 日 as warm as a caress 爰 warm Sun 日 moving forward and making

353

ジ

things work 寺 time

昆

昆

354

コン

Several people under the sun

swarm

Sunlight (日) shining over several people (比), referring to a large group of people being out in the open. 160

Over time, by analogy, this character went on to designate a large number not only of people in the open, but also a large number of animals and, ultimately, a large number of insects or a swarm, which is the current main meaning of the character when it appears as a standalone.

普

普

355

Lined up days

フ

ordinary

A string of days (日), lined up (並) one after the other, alluding to the daily life routine of what normally happens as the days go by: the common or the ordinary.

フ

譜

フ

譜 旧

旧

356

Sayings 言 that are ordinary 普 notation 357

The span of the sun

キュウ

old times

An abstract mark (丨) that encompasses the whole span of the sun (日), understood here as an entity that conditions time since very long ago.

旦

旦

358

タン ダン

Sun rising over the ground daybreak

161

The sun (日) rising above the horizon (一) at dawn or daybreak.

但

但 昼

昼

359

ただ.し

チュウ ひる

Person 亻 caught outside at daybreak 旦

but Span 尺 of time that the sun is over the ground 旦 daytime Body part 月 making people rise over

胆

胆

360

361

タン

タン

the ground 旦 gallbladder courage

NOTE In countries within the Chinese sphere of cultural influence the gallbladder is associated with courage, as guts are in English speaking countries.

担

担

タン かつ.ぐ にな.う

Hand 扌 making something rise over タン

the ground 旦 to carry on one’s shoulder

162

362

昜

昜

ヨウ

Rising sun emitting rays of light

363

Sun rays

The sun rising above the ground (旦) and emitting its rays of light (勿) over it.

腸

腸

Body part 月 spreading like rays of

364

ヨウ

light 昜

チョウ

intestines

揚

ヨウ

揚

あ.げる

旬

旬

Hand 扌 lifting something as high as

365

ヨウ

the rays emitted by a rising sun 昜 to lift 366

Encircled days

シュン ジュン

ten-day period

Days (日) surrounded by an encircling arm (勹), ideographically evoking the idea of a cycle of days that is concretized in ten. The component representing the surrounding arm (勹) is a derivation of the primitive component 力 (arm), in which the size of the hand has been reduced. It is unrelated to the graphically identical component 勹 with the meaning of “leaning person”.

163

殉

殉

ジュン

ジュン

晶

晶

367

Bone remains ⽍ left in a cyclic 旬 fashion

martyrdom 368

Several stars

ショウ

crystal

Several luminous suns or stars radiating light (日×3), allegorically suggesting great brightness and, consequently, clarity. Over time, the meaning of ‘clarity’ went on to refer more specifically to ‘crystal’, by means of association between clarity and the translucency provided by a crystal, as exemplified by the English expression “crystal clear”.

参

参

➀ サン ➀➁ まい.る

Aged person looking at the stars

369

➀ to participate ➁ to be nonplussed チン

Originally 曑 [晶㐱], an aged person (㐱)—suggesting a person of great knowledge—looking, astonished, at a constellation of several luminous stars (晶 ➝ ). Two meanings derive from this ideogram: The first is ‘to participate’, drawn from the idea of a man explaining the constellations to a group of pupils participating in a lesson. The second meaning is that of ‘being nonplussed’, which is derived from the idea of astonishment produced by the sight of luminous stars in the sky.

164

370

惨

惨

サン ザン

Feelings 忄 that are nonplussing 参

まじ.め

wretched

⼣

夕

サン

371

Crescent moon

セキ ゆう

Ⓡ

evening

A crescent moon that also represents the moment of the day in which it appears: the evening.

多

多

372

Several evenings

タ おお.い

many

Several consecutive evenings (夕×2), ideogram chosen to represent the idea of ‘(too) much’ or ‘many’, probably due to the implication of weariness that is suggested by the idea of spending several evenings in a row without sleep.

夗

夗

373

エン

Person huddling alongside the moon

ハン

A person huddling (⺋) under the moon in the evening (夕).

165

怨

怨

オン エン

Feelings 心 of a person huddling

374

エン

alongside the moon 夗 grudge

名

名

ミョウ メイ な

Words pronounced in the evening

375

name

Words (口) pronounced to catch the attention of someone who is called out because he cannot be seen in the darkness of the evening (夕). 376

夜

夜

ヤ よ よる

Person alongside the moon night

Originally 𡖍 (亦 + 夕), a person distributing energy (亦) in the evening (夕), an allegorical image alluding to an anthropomorphised divinity that makes the night fall. This glyph has undergone a great graphical transformation over time. The strokes of the components 亦 and 夕 have　been intermingled to form a new composition that blurs the original elements.

166

377

月

月

Moonlight ➀ moon ➁ month

➀ ➁ ゲツ ➁ ガツ ➀ ➁ つき

Ⓡ

A crescent moon (夕) with a spot inside (一) indicating light— moonlight—in a similar way to the character for “sunlight” (日). This character means both ‘moon’ and ‘month’, in reference to the lunar cycles on which the months are based.

朔

朔

Moon turned upside down

378

㊔

New moon

ソ

first day of the month

Ideogram representing a moon (月) that is turned upside down (屰), a metaphorical representation of the start of a new lunar cycle, a new moon. 379

➀➁➂ ミョウ

明

明

➀➁➂

Sun and moon

メイ ➀

➀ bright

あか.るい

➁ clear

➁

➂ illumination

あき.らか

➂ あ.かり

167

SPECIAL READING 明日 [あした]: tomorrow Sunlight (日) and moonlight (月), indicating a great brightness, clarity and illumination.

168

3 | WATER The first of the visible and touchable natural elements to be addressed is water, an element without which human life would not be possible. The main way of representing ‘water’ within the kanji corpus is by means of its movement or flow through the bed of a river:

水. If the water of the river freezes it could break

away in fragments of ‘ice’:

氷. If the flow of that ‘river’ speeds

up it will turn out to be a fast moving stream of water: 川. Rivers are very important to obtain potable water, but so is the water of the ‘rain’ that falls from clouds: 雨; which will also be useful for designating and understanding various types of atmospheric phenomena.

380

⽔

水

Flowing water

スイ みず

Ⓡ

Fluid water

氵

A stream of water flowing through what appears to be the bed of a river. The central stroke 亅 represents the riverbed, while フ and ㇛ depict the running water. The meaning of ‘water’ can be expanded to that of any kind of ‘fluid’ in some compounds. As a component it mostly appears in the simplified form 氵 and occasionally as 氺. 169

381

尿

尿 泥

泥 氾

氾

ニョウ

デイ どる

Sitting person 尸 excreting fluids 水 urine Water 氵 that can be carried on one’s ニ

back 尼 mud ハン

ハン

海 泣

泣 汰

汰

カイ うみ

383

Water 氵 making people huddle ⺋ overflowing マイ

海

382

Water 氵 reaching every 毎 coast and

384

river sea

キュウ

Water 氵 “standing” 立 vertically on the face

な.く

to cry タ

タ

385

Water 氵 used in great 太 amounts cleansing

170

386

沢

沢

シャク

タク さわ

387

Water 氵 covering up to the calves 尺 marsh 388

滑

滑

➀ ➁ カツ ➀ コツ ➀ すべ.る ➁ なめ.らか

渦

渦

カ うず

コツ

Water 氵 sliding down on a bone 骨 ➀ to slide ➁ smooth

Water 氵 turning someone into piles of カ

bones and vertebrae 咼 whirlpool キョウ

況

況

389

Person pronouncing some words 兄 キョウ

390

about matters related to water 氵 situation

NOTE This character is probably referring to some situation of agricultural dispute regarding irrigation or distribution of waters (水 ➝ 氵), where a person with power of speech (兄) has to intermediate.

活

活

ゼツ

カツ

Water 氵 tasted by the tongue 舌 living 171

391

渇

渇 潜

カツ かわ.く

Lacking water 氵 that can threaten カツ

death

to be thirsty

➀ セン Water 氵 covering exchanged words 替 ➀ to be submerged ➀ ひそ.む

潜 ➁ もぐ.る

392

393

➁ to get under 394

混

混 油

油 津

津

コン こ.む ま.ざる

ユ あぶら

コン

Water 氵 full of insect swarms 昆 to be mixed

Fluid 氵 that can enter into the mouth

395

ユ

as a piece of food 由 oil

シン つ

Water 氵 crossed over like a paper crossed by a brush 聿 to cross the water

172

396

浸

浸 没

没 洪

洪 港

港

397

Water 氵 being spread by the

シン

シン

movement of a wet club 𠬶

ひた.す

to soak Abundant water 氵 coming out of a rock

ボツ

398

that has been hit with a sledgehammer ⽎

to sink キョウ

コウ

Lots of water 氵 coming together 共 flood

Water 氵 where people meet together コウ みなと

SPECIAL READING

浮

フ

浮

う.く

399

400

コ

キョウ

and energy circulates 己 harbor

香港 [ホンコン]: Hong Kong Water 氵 from which a child can be drawn out by a hand 孚 to float

173

401

渓

渓 浄

浄

Water 氵 from which an adult man can ケイ

be drawn out by a hand

402

ケイ

mountain stream ソウ

ジョウ

403

Water 氵 thrown by fighting hands 争 to purify

NOTE The original meaning of this character was ‘to purge’ or ‘to exorcise’, an act in which a shaman has to fight with purifying water against the possessed person. ‘To exorcise’ in turn means ‘to purify the soul’, sense whereupon the current meaning is taken. セン

洗

洗

セン あら.う

トウ

踏

ふ.む

治

404

some action or ceremony to wash

踏

治

Water 氵 poured previously 先 to doing

➀➁ジ ➀➁チ ➀ なお.す ➁ おさ.める

Spoken words 曰 talking about a tale

405

of feet 足 treading the water 水 to step on 406 タイ

Water 氵 with contained energy 台 ➀ to heal ➁ to govern

174

NOTE This character alludes, once again, to a religious act of purification with sacred water. On this occasion the sacred water (水 ➝ 氵) that has been stored or contained (台) for some time can be used to heal others. From this sense of healing the second meaning of the character derives, that of ‘governing’, for in the time of ancient China, those who enjoyed a healing religious power also enjoyed a political power, since the priests or shamans were the elite of that society. The sense of ‘governing’ can also be understood in a more pragmatic way by making a semantic association between the idea of governing and that of healing people by solving their problems.

池

池 汽

汽

チ

チ いけ

Water drops 氵 that have been spread 也

pond キ

キ

泡 湯

湯

408

Water 氵 floating in the air 气 steam ホウ

泡

407

ホウ あわ

Water 氵 wrapped 包 by a foaming

409

substance froth

トウ ゆ

Water 氵 warmed up by the rays of the ヨウ

rising sun 昜 hot water

175

410

液

液

411

エキ

Fluid 氵 seen at night 夜 liquid

NOTE This composition most probably referred originally to alcohol, because it is a liquid that looks similar to water and is usually drunk at night. 412

㳄

Spitting person

㳄

A person with an open mouth (欠) spitting out a watery fluid (水 ➝ 氵).

沃

沃

413

ヨク

Water flowing wiggly fertile

Abundant water (水 ➝ 氵) that flows rapidly and wiggly (夭) making the land fertile.

添

添

414

テン

Feelings 㣺 flowing wiggly 沃

そ.える

to accompany

渋

渋

415

ジュウ

Water stopping its flow

しぶ.い

astringent 176

Water (水 ➝ 氵) that stops (止) flowing, making the moisture of its surrounding disappear. The original glyph of this character was 澁, with three “standing feet” (止×3 ➝ 歮) enhancing the idea of “stopping”. Later on the lower part of the component (歮) was simplified into the graph , that can be thought as a mark alluding to the disappearance of the water.

永

永

エイ なが.い

Person going along the flowing water

416

perpetual

A person going along the flow of water, being carried away by the current, figuratively following the course of perpetuity. The modern graphic composition of this character has been made by associating the component of “water” (水) with that of “person” (人 ➝ 亻), which flows within the former. The center stroke of “water” (亅) has merged with the vertical stroke of “person” (丨), while the upper stroke of the latter component appears as a dot (丶) at the top of the compound.

詠

詠

エイ

エイ

Speech 言 made along the flow 永

よ.む

to recite

177

417

泳

泳

エイ およ.ぐ

Person splashing water 氵 while going

418

エイ

along its flow 永 to swim

419

Person going against the flow This is the reverse version of the character 永 (person going along the flowing water), evoking the idea of a person going against the current, in the opposite direction of the flow of water. The modern version of this character has undergone a great evolution, but it is still possible to point out the reversed “water” component at the bottom (水 ➝ ➝ ) and the reversed and simplified form of the “person” component at the top (丶 ➝ ㇀).

脈

脈

Body part 月 transporting fluids up ミャク

and down without a fixed current vein Person breaking off a current of water

派

派

420

ハ

氵 in order to go against it dispatch faction

178

421

攸

攸

422

Person being purged with water

ユウ

Person (人 ➝ 亻) who is being metaphorically hit (攵) with water (氵 ➝ 丨) in order to be purified from evil.

悠

悠

423

ユウ

ユウ

Purged 攸 feelings 心 composure ユウ

修

シュウ シュ

修 おさ.める

Person being purged with water 攸 by

424

an aged person 㐱 ➝ 彡 to master 425

氷

氷冫

ヒョウ こおり ひ

Solidified water

Ⓡ

ice

Originally 冰, water (水) from which fragments of solid matter (冫 ➝ 丶) are breaking away. As a component this character most usually appears in the original incomplete form 冫.

179

尽

尽

426

ジン

Calves 尺 hardened like ice 冫

つ.くす

to exhaust 427

冷

➀ レイ ➀ つめ.たい

Pieces of ice 冫 falling over a kneeling person like a command from Heaven

冷 ➀ ひ.える

➀ cool ➁ to cool down

➁ さ.める

凄

凄 冶

冶

サイ

Ice cold 冫 wife 妻

セイ

uncanny Fluid 冫 coming from an object that

ヤ

428

429

had contained thermal energy 台 melting

冬

冬

430

トウ

Foot standing on the ice

ふゆ

winter

Still foot (夂) on top of ice (氷 ➝ 冫), an image characteristic of winter time.

180

川

川 巛

431

Stream of water

セン かわ

river

This glyph has a composition similar to that of the character 水 (water), but unlike it, this one shows its continuous lines of water following the same direction, suggesting an uninterrupted and fast movement like that of a river flowing down a mountain. As a component it sometimes appears in the variant 巛. When the component is placed at the bottom, it takes the form .

順

順 訓

訓

Stream 川 of ordered ideas inside the head 頁

ジュン

sequential order Speech 言 flowing as a stream 川 クン

拶

433

instruction semantic reading Hand 扌 approaching a stream of

拶

432

サツ

water 巛 that gets closer thanks to the tidal power of the crescent moon 夕 to draw close

181

434

㐬

435

リュウ

Newborn baby pushed out by a stream of amniotic fluid

Originally 𡿮, a newborn baby ( ) expelled by a current (川 ➝ 巛 ➝

流

) of the amniotic fluid of a mother giving birth.

リュウ

Water 氵 that pushes a newborn baby out

ル

流 なが.れる 州

州

リュウ

436

in its birth

to flow

シュウ す

Pieces of land surrounded by rivers

437

province

Pieces of land (丶×3) surrounded by rivers (川), a suitable territory for establishing a governmental province.

昔

昔

シャク セキ むかし

The days of the flooding streams of water

438

older times

Originally 㫺 [𠈌⽇], an allegorical allusion to the ancient days (日) in which great streams of water (川 ➝ 巛 ➝ 𠈌 ➝ ) flooded the earth, in reference to a legendary deluge that supposedly took place in time immemorial.

182

The myth of a flood occurring in a very ancient time, which is well known within Christianity, is interestingly shared by many other cultures, including the Chinese, where the legend is known as the flood of Gun-Yu (鯀禹治⽔).

借

借

シャク

シャク

Person 亻 from older times 昔

か.りる

to borrow

439

NOTE This character refers to the scholarly practice of borrowing knowledge from people of older times to apply it to their studies and dissertations.

惜

惜 措

措

セキ

セキ

Feelings 忄 about older times 昔

お.しい

pitiful シャク

ソ

雨

雨⻗

440

441

Hand 扌 acting like in older times 昔 demeanor ウ あめ

Water drops falling from clouds

あま-

rain

442

Ⓡ

Raindrops (丶×4) falling from clouds in the sky ( ). As component this sinogram is placed in the upper part of the compounds compressed in the following graph: ⻗.

183

震

震 霊

霊

シン ふる.える

Rain ⻗ falling over a person holding

443

シン

an agrarian tool 辰 to shake

レイ リョウ たま

Rain ⻗ invoked by several people

444

ヘイ

standing side by side 並 ➝ soul

NOTE The meaning of ‘soul’ is derived from the spirits that shamans invoked through collective rituals to ask for rain.

零

零

Rain ⻗ falling like a command from

445

レイ

レイ

Heaven 令 zero

NOTE The original meaning of this character alluded to the act of falling down, but, over time, such a concept of physical falling derived into that of a fall or drop in quantity, and finally it started denoting the concept of ‘nothing’ or ‘zero’.

雪

雪

セツ ゆき

SPECIAL READING

Rain ⻗ that can be held by an outstretched hand ⺕ snow 吹雪 [ふぶき]: blizzard

184

446

電

電 漏

漏

Expanded energy 电 that can be seen

447

under the rain ⻗

デン

electricity

ロウ も.れる

需

需

Fluid 氵 leaking out of the buttocks of

448

a sitting person 尸 like rain 雨 to leak out

ジュ

Person wearing a coat under the rain

449

demand

Person wearing a raincoat (而) when it rains (雨 ➝ ⻗), being the raincoat something that is prone to be in demanded on rainy days.

儒

儒

ジュ

ジュ

Person 亻 in demand 需 Confucian

185

450

4 | FIRE

In contrast to water there is ‘fire’, with its flaring flames 火, an essential natural element for humans, because it can be used for lighting, heating and cooking and therefore becomes a representative element of the home and families.

451

⽕

火灬

カ ひ

Fire flames

Ⓡ

fire

ほ-

A flame of fire (人) and its surrounding sparks (㇀×2). When this glyph acts as a component and it is located at the bottom usually adopts a simplified version: 灬.

炊

炊

スイ た.く

Fire 火 making people open their

452

mouths 欠 to cook 453

煩

ハン ボン

煩 わずら.う

Fire 火 in the head 頁 to worry (about)

186

災

454

サイ

Flood of water streams 巛 and fire 火

災 わざわ.い 炎

炎

disaster 455

Several fire flames

エン ほのお

flames

Several fire flames and their surrounding sparks (火×2).

談

談 淡

淡

エン

ダン

Sayings 言 spreading like flames 炎 discussion エン

タン

Water 氵 extinguishing flames 炎

あわ.い

faint

灰

灰

456

457

458

カイ はい

Fire grasped by a hand ash

Originally 𤆆, and later 灰, fire (火) that can be touched by an outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇 ➝ ⼚), something that comes from fire but does not burn like it: ash.

187

黒

黒

コク くろ.い

Person with a mask painted in black with the ashes of a fire

459

black

A person seen from the front (大 ➝ 土) wearing a skull mask (囟 ➝ 田) that has been painted black with ashes coming from a fire (火 ➝ 灬).

光

光

460

Person lit with fire

コウ ひかり

Ⓡ

light

Originally 灮, a person (人 ➝ ⼉) with a flame of fire (火 ➝ with which he lights things up.

)

461

赤

赤

セキ シャク あか.い

Person burnt in a fire red

Originally 𤆍, and later 灻, a man seen from the front (大 → 土) on top of the flames (火 ➝ ), evoking the red color of burns on the skin.

嚇

嚇

Words 口 made by several people on fire 赤×2

カク

menacing

188

462

赦

赦

Person burning on fire 赤 being blown

463

away 攵

シャ

pardon

叟

464

ソウ

Outstretched hand grabbing a torch

Originally 叟 [𦥔又], an outstretched hand (又) carrying a torch (𦥔 ➝ 申), in which the stroke 丨 represents the torch handle and the element 𦥑 depicts the flames of a flaring fire. The current element 申 might have been developed as an analogy to the character 申 (expanded energy), since fire can be understood as a visibly expanding energy.

捜

捜

ソウ Hand 扌 holding a torch さが.す to search

189

465 ソウ

in the dark

5 | EARTH Once we have dealt with water and fire, we have to analyze the most representative element of the material and tangible natural world: ‘earth’; represented within the Chinese characters by the depiction of clay being molded on top of a potter's wheel 土, since clay is a material taken directly from the ground. But earth should not be understood just as a means of obtaining construction material, but also as the soil and ground on top of which people live. The ground may be flat, or elevated in the form of small ‘hills’ 丘. If the hills are taller and bigger they may form ‘mountain’ ranges

山. Mountains can also appear in the shape of a ‘cliff ’

⼚, from where pieces of ‘stone’ 石 can break off. Stone, closing the cycle, becomes a construction material harder as it is clay.

⼟

土

Potter's wheel

ト ド つち

466

Ⓡ

earth soil

A potter's wheel (一) with a piece of clay (▲ ➝ 十) being molded on top. This character, which originally meant what it represents, a potter's wheel, soon came to denote, instead, the element which clay comes from: ‘earth’, and derived from the concept of ‘earth’ there is also the meaning of ‘soil’.

190

Two hands working on a potter's wheel

塀

塀 坑

坑 塑

塑 堅

堅 吐

吐

Earth 土 on which there is sitting 尸 a ヘイ

467

ヘイ

line of several people 并 fence

Earth 土 that has been pushed down

468

コウ

コウ

below the ground 亢 pit 469

ソ

ソ

New 朔 chunk of earth 土 molding 470

ケン

ケン

Eye touched

かた.い

with earth 土

tough ト

ト

Mouth 口 with earth 土 inside

は.く

to vomit

191

471

塊

カイ

Earth 土 filling the ghosts 鬼

塊 かたまり 地

地 場

場 均

均 墨

墨

472

キ

mass 473

チ

ジ チ

Soil 土 that is extended 也 ground ヨウ

ジョウ ば

474

Soil 土 that can be lit by sun rays 昜 place Earth 土 being leveled (二) by a

475

leaning person 勹

キン

leveling 476

コク

Black 黒 earth 土

ボク すみ

圭

圭

black ink 477

Earth over earth

ケイ

Mound

Several mounds of earth (土×2).

192

㊔

佳

佳 封

封

Person 亻 owing several mounds of

478

earth 圭

カ

excellent

フウ ホウ

Several mounds of earth 圭

479

manipulated by working hands 寸 enclosure 480

坐

坐

Several people working on ㊔ a potter's wheel

ザ

to sit

Several people (人×2) working on a piece of clay that is spinning on a potter's wheel.

A hand 扌 twisted like a piece of clay

挫

挫

ザ

481

on a potter's wheel on which several ザ

people are working 坐 sprain

尭

尭

482

ギョウ

Person carrying several pieces of clay on his head

㊔

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) carrying several pieces of clay (土×3 ➝ 垚 ➝ ) over his head. 193

暁

暁 焼

焼

ギョウ あかつき

Sun 日 rising as pieces of clay carried

483

ギョウ

over someone’s head 尭 (at) dawn

ショウ や.く

圣

圣

Fire 火 heating several pieces of clay

484

ギョウ

尭 used to make pottery to heat 485

ケイ

Outstretched hand working on a potter's wheel

An outstretched hand (又) working on a piece of clay on top of a potter's wheel (土).

Feelings 忄 produced by an unfinished

怪

カイ

object that is being made on a potter's

怪

あや.しい

wheel 圣

486

ケイ

weird

丘

丘业

487

Two hillocks

キュウ おか

hill

Originally 𠀌, two adjacent hillocks ( ground (一), forming a group of hills. 194

➝

) rising above the

As a component, this glyph can take the form 业, which is a simplification of the already original glyph 𠀌.

⼭

山

488

Three hillocks

サン やま

Ⓡ

mountain

Several hillocks (丨×3) rising above the ground (一), forming a mountain range.

仙

仙 峡

峡 炭

炭 岳

岳

サン

セン

Person 亻 in a mountain 山 hermit キョウ

キョウ

490

A mountain's 山 middle space 夹

gorge サン

タン すみ

489

491

Mountain 山 ash 灰 coal 492

ガク たけ

Hill 丘 on top of a mountain 山 peak

195

493

⾩

mountain range

フ

阜阝 PLACE NAME USAGE

Originally 𨸏, and later

Ⓡ

Mountains

岐阜 [ぎふ]: Gifu , a mountain range turned vertically to

highlight the verticality of the mountain walls. The contemporary form of the character (阜) is an evolution of the variant 峊 ( + 山), in which the component 山 (mountain) was added to the original primitive component

to differentiate it

from the primitive glyph with the meaning of “footprint”, that has exactly the same graphical appearance ( ). When this character acts as a component it always does it with the simplified version 阝 that is placed, without exception, on the left side of the compounds.

Mountains阝 providing a seclusion place

隅

隅

494

グ

グウ すみ

for a person dancing with a mask on 禺

nook corner

限

ゲン

限

かぎ.る

Mountains阝 making a person stay コン

still 艮 to limit

196

495

険

ケン

険 けわ.しい 附

附 隠

隠

Mountains 阝 that make someone with ケン

authority 㑒 give a warning precipitous フ

フ

降

affixed

イン かく.す

Mountains 阝 hiding a heart that is

陽

498

オン

held by two hands 𢚩 to hide

➀ ➁ コウ ➀ お.りる ➁ ふ.る

➀ to descend ➁ to precipitate

ヨウ

ヨウ

499

feet descend 夅

Mountains 阝 on which the rays of the

陽

497

Mountains阝 that are attached 付

Mountain range 阝 through which two

降

496

sun 昜 are reflected sunshine yang (positive principle)

197

500

Mountains 阝 that figuratively serve

501

ヒ

陛

陛

as the stairs upon which people 比 on ヘイ

top of the earth 土 climb steps of a throne majesty 502

厂

Cliff

厂

Ⓡ

A steep cliff, with its wall (丿) and its top (一).

圧

圧

503

Cliff ⼚ over the soil 土

アツ

丸

丸

pressure 504

ガン まる

Originally 𠁽, a person (人 ➝

Person rolling down a cliff round ➝

) rolling down a cliff (⼚ ➝ 乁

➝ ㇈). Over time the notion of ‘rolling’ derived into the sense of ‘round’ in general. This character should not be confused with the simplified version of the component 丮 (丮 ➝ 丸) (person working with hands), since 198

they have a totally different etymology.

厄

厄

505

ヤク

Person huddling under a cliff

misfortune

A person huddling (㔾) under a cliff (⼚), either because he has fallen from the top or because he has come across it with the inability to continue his way. In either case the scene undoubtedly represents a sign of misfortune.

危

Person leaning 勹 ➝ ⺈ over the edge キ of a cliff ⼚ while he looks at a person あぶ.ない who is huddling 㔾 below

危 あや.うい 产

产

506

dangerous 507

Writings on a cliff Visible

Originally , a writing (文 ➝ 立) engraved on the wall of a cliff (⼚), indicating high visibility.

顔

顔

ガン
 かお

Visible 产 part of the head 頁 surrounded by hair 彡 face

199

508

反

反

➁ ハン ➁ タン ➁ ホン ➀ そ.る

Outstretched hand against the wall of a cliff

509

➀ to arch ➁ opposition

An outstretched hand (又) arching to grab the ledges of a cliff, a scene representing both the bending movement of the fingers of the hand and the position of the hand against the cliff wall, in ‘opposition’ to it.

仮

仮 坂

坂

カ ケ かり

Person 亻 against the wall of a cliff 反

510

temporary sham 511

ハン

Soil 土 that is arched 反

ハン さか

slope 512

阪

阪

ハン

ハン

Mountain range's 阝 arched parts 反

PLACE NAME USAGE

heights 大阪 [おおさか]: Osaka

200

厓

厓

Cliff formed by mounds of earth

ガイ

513

Crag

A cliff (⼚) formed by mounds of earth (圭), a crag. ガイ

涯

涯

Water 氵 reaching mountain crags 厓 ガイ

514

shore horizon [fig.]

NOTE A shore refers to the limits of water, and hence comes the figurative meaning of ‘horizon’ that this character conveys, since the limit marked by the line of the water is one of the most common representations of the horizon.

崖

崖

515

ガイ

ガイ がけ

段

叚段

Crag 厓 formed by a mountain 山 cliff

ダン

Hand breaking the rocks of a cliff with a sledgehammer

516

steps [fig.]

Originally 𠪅 [⼚叚], a hand hitting with a sledgehammer (

≈ ⽎),

step by step, the wall of a cliff (⼚) until several rocks break off from it ( ). The notion conveyed by this character is always that of gradual steps done in a given action and never that of literal steps done with the feet. 201

The current form of the character gets rid of the “cliff ” component (⼚) and stylizes the strokes of the rest of the compound ( ➝ ). As a component this character sometimes preserves the primitive variant 叚.

暇

暇

Part of the day 日 in which action steps カ ひま 叚 can be taken いとま spare time

517

518

⽯

石

シャク セキ コク いし

Ⓡ

Rock detached from a cliff stone

A piece of rock (口) detached from a cliff (⼚ ➝ 丆).

妬

妬 硫

硫

519

ト Woman's 女 seeing a precious stone 石 ねた.む jealous Stone 石 coming out from the soil

リュウ

リュウ

abruptly like a baby being born sulphur

202

520

拓

拓

521

タク

Hand 扌 clearing out stones 石 cleared land ホウ

砲

砲 岩

岩

A tube wrapping 包 a stone 石 that is ホウ

522

about to be fired cannon 523

Mountain 山 stone 石

ガン いわ

rock 524

声

声

セイ ショウ こえ

Hand hitting a stone musical instrument voice

こわ-

Originally 殸 [声⽎], a hand hitting (⽎) a primitive percussion instrument made of stones, or lithophone—called in Chinese bianqing (編磬)—made of hanging stone chimes (𠃜), to which the シ

component for “foot coming out” (㞢 ➝ 士) has been added in order to highlight the notion of sound coming from the stone. The meaning of this character is therefore focused on the sound produced by the percussive hit rather than the instrument itself, and that connotation of sound derived later into the concept of ‘voice’. The modern version of the character is a simplification made by the

203

removal of the “hitting hand” component (⽎).

Person hitting the chimes of a ‘bianqing'

204

6 | HEAVEN After exploring the earthly elements, we are going to study that casuistry that derives from heavenly providence, something that marked the daily lives of the people of the ancient world. Heavenly Designs were communicated through omens and prophecies which, in the case of ancient China, were interpreted through of ‘providential’ cracks made on turtle shells

⼘

卜

フ

卜.

Providential crack formed in oracle bones

525

㊔

Providence divination

Two adjacent cracks on the surface of a turtle's bone appearing after having applied heat onto it. In ancient China divinatory rituals were an essential part of the spiritual and political life, and in order to perform such rituals turtle shell bones or scapulae of other animals were heated to make appear cracks that were to be interpreted so prophecies and divinations could be made upon them. Over time such divinations began to be written on the surface of the bones besides the formed cracks, leaving for posterity the first examples of writing in Chinese characters.

205

Turtle shell with cracks

訃

訃 赴

フ

フ

Speech 言 marked by providence 卜 obituary フ

フ

赴 おもむ.く

526

527

Running 走 providence 卜 to proceed toward 528

外

外

➀ ガイ Providence 卜 interpreted by the help of ➀ゲ the moon 夕 ➀ そと ➀ outside ➀ ほか ➁ to take off ➁ はず.す Hand 扌 taking a mound 圭 of bones

掛

掛

か.ける

529

with providential cracks 卜 to take (time or money) to hang

NOTE This character depicts the scene of a person who takes the reins of his destiny, an idea represented by a hand (手 ➝ 扌)taking a mound (圭) of bones with providential cracks (卜) on it. The second meaning of ‘to hang’ comes from the fact that the word denoting ‘to take’ and the word denoting ‘to hang’ are homonyms in Japanese: か け る.

206

530

占

占

Words interpreting ➀ ➁ セン providential cracks formed ➀ うらな.う in oracle bones ➁ ➀ to divine し.める ➁ to take up

Words (口) pronounced while interpreting providential cracks (卜). ‘To take up’ is an additional meaning that this character takes from the notion of accepting divine providence. セン

点

点

Divinations 占 set in a fixed point by テン

531

burning divination cracks with fire 灬 point 532

兆

兆

Several providential cracks ➀ omen ➀ きざ.し ➁ trillion ➀➁ チョウ

A large number of providential cracks ( , ⼉) appearing on the bone of a turtle shell, indicating an important omen.

眺

チョウ

チョウ

Eye 目 looking at an omen 兆

眺 なが.める

to gaze

207

533

挑

534

チョウ

チョウ

Hand 扌 grabbing an omen 兆

挑

いど.む

to challenge

跳

チョウ

535

跳

と.ぶ は.ねる

万

万

チョウ

Feet and legs 足 following an omen 兆 to jump

536

マン バン

Symbol of the cycle of life ten thousand

A late simplification of the Buddhist symbol 卍, which represents the cycle of life and expands to the notion of eternity. This symbol is used within Chinese characters to figuratively designate, at first, a large, indefinite quantity. Over time the connotation of large quantity became concretized in the number ‘ten thousand’.

A Buddha with the symbol of the cycle of life on his chest

208

厉

厉

537

Cliff rock rolling as the cycle of life

This component denotes a rotatory movement, represented figuratively by the symbol of the cycle of life (卍 ➝ 万) rolling as if it were falling down a cliff.

励

レイ

励

はげ.む

An arm 力 trying to roll a rock through a cliff 厉 to make an effort

209

538

REVIEW ON ELEMENTS

厶以⿁台⼄也⼋亦兑夋公⽓ 乞⼰包回申丩句 1

2

仏勾払弁似始胎怠孔乱乳他恋跡変 脱悦説俊唆訟忩妃忌記改起胞抱伸 俺叫収局拘

⽇昆普旧旦昜旬晶参⼣多夗 名夜⽉朔明 晩唱暗暖時譜但昼胆担腸揚殉晶惨 怨

⽔㳄沃渋永 攸氷冬川㐬州 昔⾬需 3

尿泥氾海泣汰沢滑渦況活渇潜混油 津浸没洪港浮渓浄洗踏治池汽泡湯 液添詠泳脈派悠修尽冷凄冶順訓拶 流借惜措震霊零雪電漏儒 210

4

⽕炎灰黒光⾚叟 炊煩災談淡嚇赦捜

⼟圭坐尭圣丘⼭⾩⼚丸厄产 反厓段⽯声 5

6

塀坑塑堅吐塊地場均墨佳封挫暁焼 怪仙峡炭岳隅限険附隠降陽陛圧危 顔仮坂阪涯崖暇妬硫拓砲岩

⼘占兆万厉 訃赴外掛点眺挑跳励

211

PLANTS 1 | SMALL PLANTS Within the things encompassed by the domain of nature, perhaps the most relevant to our world view is the existence of life, because it is thanks to life that the universe—nature—can be understood, for without life there is no apparent consciousness. Be it as it may, one of the most basic visible forms of life are ‘small plants’ 屮, which are an indispensable source of oxygen and food, so it is better if they appear in great numbers

艹, or with ‘lush’ leaves

丰. The germination process of the plants is also represented. In such process first a ‘sprout’

乇 appears, then a bud with leaves

屯—which represents an ‘accumulation’—and, finally, several buds with leaves 世—which represents a whole ‘generation’ of plants. The world of kanji also has in particular consideration the ‘bamboo’ plant 竹, since in ancient Chinese cultures that plant was used to make a great variety of objects.

⼬

屮十

539

Small plant

A small plant with its stem standing straight and leaves coming out of it. This graph is usually represented under simplified strokes such as 十 or other variants. 212

端

端

Plant growing while absorbing rain water

タン はし は

540

edge

Originally 耑, this glyph is an ideogram representing a plant (屮 ➝ 山) absorbing rain as a raincoat (而), probably referring to the germination of plants made possible thanks to rain water. The original meaning of the character was that of ‘germination’ or ‘start’, and eventually it became to denote the notion of an extreme or ‘edge’—in the sense that a beginning is related to an end. The component 立 (to stand) was added later to reinforce the idea of the upright position of the plant, that is, to clarify that the plant has grown and that the germination has been indeed produced.

余

余

ヨ あま.る

Sayings that are distributed and grow

541

to remain

Mouth saying to people (亼) words that grow like small plants (屮 ➝ 十 ➝ ) and are distributed (八 ➝ ハ) among the people: Words that spread among people and penetrate, words that remain.

Sayings that are distributed and

叙

叙

ヨ

ジョ

growing 余 and led by a figurative outstretched hand 又 narration 213

542

塗

塗

ト

Water 氵 remaining along 余 with ト

earth 土

ぬ.る

to smear ヨ

除

除

ジョ ジ

Mountain 阝 rocks remaining 余 on

早

544

the ground

のぞ.く

早

543

to remove ソウ サッ

Plant lit by the rising sun

はや.い

fast

545

early

The sun (日) rising above the grass (屮 ➝ 十), indicating the first light of the morning, the early hours.

カン

Person waking up along the early sun

546

Sunrise Originally 㔬, this component is a modification of the character 早 (early), to which the component for “person on his back” (匕 ➝ 十) has been added at the top to highlight the idea of human activity at the time of dawn, reinforcing the connotation of ‘sunrise’.

214

乾

乾

カン

Sunrise

カン

かわ.く

547

unfolding floating energy 乞

to get dry

NOTE In reference to the strength of the sun rays, able to dry what is wet.

朝

朝 SPECIAL READING

➀➁ チョウ ➀ あさ

Sun rising and moon hiding

548

➀ morning ➁ dynasty

今朝 [けさ]: this morning

Dawn when the sun rises above the grass ( ) and the moon (月) hides behind it, scene that indicates the beginning of a new morning.

嘲

チョウ

チョウ

549

Words 口 heard in the morning 朝

嘲 あざけ.る

to sneer

NOTE This character originally referred to the morning song of the birds. That characteristic chirping sound would later be associated with the humorous, sharp tone that is commonly used when mocking someone.

潮

潮

チョウ

チョウ しお

Water 氵 drifting in the morning 朝 tide 215

550

551

➀➁➂ ショウ

➀➁➂ セイ

⽣

生

Plant coming out of the earth

➀

➀ to be born

う.まれる

➁ to live

➁ い.きる ➂ to grow (something) ➂ は.える ➃ raw ➂ お.う ➃ なま ➃き

Originally 𤯓, a plant (屮 ➝

) born from the earth (土). This

image suggests, initially, the idea of ‘birth’—the main meaning of the character–, but it also extends to what birth entails: ‘life’. Within a broader semantic field, there is also found in this character the more literary notions of ‘growing something’—giving birth to a plant—and ‘raw’—something taken or presented as it was born.

姓

姓

ショウ

ショウ セイ

Woman 女 giving birth 生 family name ショウ

性

性

➀ ➁ セイ ➀ ショウ

552

Heart and mind 心 of a living 生 being

➀ disposition ➁ gender

216

553

隆

隆

Mountains 阝 where feet stand 夂 and

554

plants live 生

リュウ

elevation 555

産

産

サン う.まれる

Plants visibly 产 cultivated 生 to be produced

うぶ-

SPECIAL READING

告

告

土産 [みやげ]: gift

コク

Words being born

つ.げる

to announce

556

Originally 𠰛, words (口) that are born (𤯓 ➝ 生 ➝ ⺧) to communicate or announce something. 557

星

星

セイ ショウ ほし

Living sun star

ショウ

A celestial body that lives (生) in the sky as the sun (日).

217

不

不

558

フ ブ

Plant turned upside down no

A plant turned upside down (屮 ➝ 𣎴 ➝ 不), life becoming nonlife: a symbol of negation.

否

否

559

フ

ヒ いな

艹

艹

Mouth 口 saying no 不 denial 560

Several plants

Ⓡ

Plant

Several plants together (屮×2 ➝ 艸 ➝ 艹). This component symbolizes the overall concept of all types of plants rather than the notion of multiple plants.

花

花 茨

カ

カ はな

Plant 艹 that has been transformed 化

flower Part of a plant 艹 that make people

いばら

561

breath 次 faster thorn

218

562

芯

芯 葛

563

シン

シン

Heart 心 of a plant 艹 pith 564

カツ

カツ くず

Plant 艹 that threatens 曷 kudzu (Pueraria lobata)

NOTE Kudzu is a perennial plant very common in East Asia that is characterized by its invasive nature. Since it grows very fast, spreading in all directions, it can end up being threatening to the environment.

芽

芽 葬

葬 芝

芝

ガ め

ソウ ほうむ.る

Plant 艹 in the shape of a tusk

ガ

565

bud Two hands ⼶ placing a dead person 死

566

beneath some Plants 艹 to bury Plants 艹 being stepped on by moving feet 之

しば

lawn

219

567

茎

茎 草

草 荼

荼

ケイ くき

Part of a plant 艹 that is malleable like

568

ケイ

clay molded on a potter's wheel 圣 stalk

569

ソウ

ソウ くさ

Plants 艹 in an early 早 stage of growth

grass 570

Plant 艹 remains 余

チャ サ

荅

荅

tea 571

トウ

Several plants put together Provision ゴウ

Several plants (艹) assembled in one place, put together (合) in order to be used as food supply in the future.

搭

搭 塔

塔

トウ

トウ

Hand 扌 loading provisions 荅 on board

freight Earth 土 mounds and several plants

トウ

572

トウ

put together 荅 tower 220

573

若

若

ジャク ニャク

Hand feeding plants to a mouth

わか.い

young

574

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) taking a handful of edible plants (艹) to the mouth (口), showing an acquisition of vigor and energy through food. The notion of vigorousness later was associated with the connotation of ‘youth’ that currently this character takes. The lower part of this sinogram is graphically identical to the component for “right hand” (右).

諾

諾

575

ジャク

ダク

荒

荒

Speech 言 of a young man 若 assent

576

コウ あら.す

Plants carried by the current

to devastate

A stream of water (川 ➝ ) sweeping plants (艹) away, causing them to perish (亡) as the environment gets devastated.

慌

コウ

コウ

慌 あわ.てる

Feelings 忄 caused by devastation 荒 disconcerted

221

577

蒸

蒸

578

ジョウ

Plants being heated

む.す

to steam

A kneeling person (卩 ➝ 了) grabbed by two hands (𠬞 ← ⼶ ➝ ), put inside a pot (一) over fire (灬), representing the action of burning a person as a death penalty. Over time, this depiction of capital punishment became metaphorical and started to allude to the burning of food or cooking. From that point on the component for “plants” (艹) was added to the character in order to reinforce these latter connotations. 579

卉

Abundant plants

卉

Originally 芔, a lot of plants (屮×3 ➝ 十×3 ➝ 卉) growing together.

奔

奔

ホン

Person running through plants

580

hustle

Originally 𢍃 [夭卉], a person running (夭 ➝ 大) quickly through a field full of plants (卉).

222

莫

莫

バク ボ

Sun behind the plants

581

㊔

Hidden be not

Originally 𦶛 [茻⽇], and then 𦱤, the sun (日) hiding behind a horizon full of plants (艸×4 ➝ 茻 ➝ 𦬇 ➝ 芖).

膜

膜 慕

慕

582

バク

マク

ボ した.う

Body part 月 hiding 莫 another parts membrane Feeling ⺗ caused by something that is ボ

hidden 莫 to yearn (for)

ボ

Sun 日 hiding out 莫

暮

く.れる

to get dark

募 漠

漠

584

ボ

暮

募

ボ

ボ

Strength 力 that is yet hidden 莫

つの.る

to recruit バク

バク

583

Water 氵 hidden 莫 below the surface obscure 223

585

586

墓

墓

ボ

ボ はか

丰

丰

587

Earth 土 that hides 莫 something tomb 588

Lush plant

Ⓡ

Originally , a plant (屮) taller and with more leaves than usual, a lush plant. The original form eventually got simplified into 𡴀, and later into its current form 丰. When this component is placed on top of the compounds it adopts a flattened form .

毒

毒

Lush plant  acting as the mother 毋 ドク

589

of other plants poison

NOTE This character originally referred to some type of medicinal plant cultivated domestically, hence the occurrence of the component for “mother” (母 ➝ 毋), which alludes to the maternal care usually linked to healing processes. Over time the meaning of ‘medicinal plant’ ended up drifting, ironically, into that of ‘poison’, possibly due to an association between the bitter taste and poisonous nature (taken in large quantities) of some medicinal plants.

224

590

麦

麦

バク むぎ

Foot stepping on a lush plant Ⓡ

barley wheat

A lush plant (丰 ➝ ) extensively cultivated in open fields, making it easy for the feet (夂) to tread on it.

麺

麺

591

メン

メン

夆

Wheat's 麦 visible face 面 noodles 592

ホウ

Foot standing on lush plants

A foot standing still (夂) on top of a lush plant (丰). This component, conceptually similar to the character for “barley” (麦), differs from it because that one designates a passive action—a plant stumbling upon feet–, whereas this one designates an active action: feet standing on top of the plant.

峰

峰

ホウ みね

Part of a mountain 山 where there are ホウ

lush plants that can be stepped on peak

225

593

勃

勃

ボツ

Lush plant growing like a child

594

erection

Originally 孛, a lush plant (丰 ➝

) growing up high quickly as a

child (子). Over time the component 力 (strength) was added to the character to emphasize the idea of a sudden growth in size and, consequently, in strength.

寿

寿

ジュ ことぶき

Working hand holding a lush plant

595

longevity

A working hand (寸) with a lush plant (丰 ➝

), implying the idea

of a cultivation made over time long enough for the plant to grow a thick, lush foliage. The long cultivation time happens to be symbolically associated, therefore, with longevity.

拝

ハイ

拝

おが.む

Hand holding a long lush plant

596

to pay homage

A hand (手 ➝ 扌) grasping the lushest and leafiest of the plants (丰 ➝

) to be delivered as a sign of homage.

226

奉

奉

ブ ホウ

Two hands holding a lush plant

たてまつ.る

597

Ⓡ

to offer

Originally 𠬻 [丰𠬞], two hands (𠬞 ← ⼶) holding a lush plant (丰) to be offered in a religious service. Over time this character underwent a visible graphical transformation. The “two hands” component got intermingled with the “lush plant” component, giving rise to the upper set of strokes , which shows a part of the two hands next to the leaves of the lush plant; and the lower set of strokes , which shows the stem of the lush plant also mixed with some strokes of the two hands. When this character is placed as a component at the top of compounds it adopts the following reduced form: .

俸

俸 奏

奏

ホウ

ホウ

ソウ かな.でる

598

Person 亻receiving an offering 奉 salary Two hands offering a lush plant

to

599

heaven 天 to play music

NOTE This ideogram refers to religious offering ceremonies, that presumably were accompanied by musical instrumentation.

227

泰

泰

600

タイ

坴 Originally

Offering of lush plants

and water 氺

peaceable 601

Lush plant cultivated in the soil

, lush plants (丰 ➝

➝ 土) distributed (八 ➝ ハ ➝

⼉) in the soil (土) thanks to extensive cultivation.

睦

睦 陸

陸

Eye 目 looking closely at the ボク

602

cultivation of lush plants 坴 intimate Mountains 阝 protecting cultivated

603

plants 坴

リク

land

埶

埶

604

Person cultivating lush plants in the soil

Originally 𡎐 [坴丮], a person working with his hands (丮 ➝ 丸) in the cultivation of lush plants (坴).

228

勢

勢 熱

熱

セイ

Arm 力 used in the cultivation of lush plants 坴

いきお.い

ネツ

605

force Person putting cultivated lush plants

606

埶 on fire 灬

あつ.い

hot (thing)

陵

リョウ

陵

みささぎ

Person placing lush plants on top of a mountain range

607

imperial tomb

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) standing with his feet (夂) on top of a mountain range (阜 ➝ 阝) on which he deposits some lush plants (丰 ➝ ➝ 土) as an offering. Tombs in East Asia were traditionally built by erecting mounds on the ground—also known as tumuli—under which the deceased were buried, hence the presence of the component for “mountain range” (阜 ➝ 阝).

舞

舞

ブ ま.う

Person moving with his feet while holding lush plants

608

to dance

Originally 𡘲 [大 ], a person seen from the front (大) grasping with each hand some lush plants (丰×2 ➝ 廿×2). This character 229

has an ideographic composition similar to the character 奏 (to play music), which depicts a person moving or dancing while holding some kind of lush plants that fulfill a decorative function. The present character also shows the use of lush plants as a decorative element and refers to a kind of ceremonial dance, probably shamanistic. The notion of dance and movement was reinforced later with the addition of the component 舛 (two feet) that appears in the graph when it acts as a standalone character. The current form of the glyph is a visibly evolved version, and the strokes that formerly made apparent the different formative components in the original form 𡘲 have mingled together forming the ambiguous set of strokes , wherein the upper part is a vestige of the head and arms of the man seen from the front (亠 ➝ ); the bottom line 一 is the evolution of the lower part of that same component (

➝ 一); and the four vertical lines crossed by a

horizontal line (卌) is a simplification of the old components that depicted the lush plants (丰 2 ➝ 廿×2 ➝

➝ 卌). 609

無

無

ブ ム

Person putting lush plants

on fire 灬

to not be

な.い

乇

ブ

610

Sprout

タク

The budding germ of a plant, a sprout. The small stem of the incipient plant is indicated by the stroke 乚, while the nascent leaves are indicated by the upper stroke ㇒. The 230

central horizontal stroke 一 is the linearization of the thickness of the stem originally shown by an ink stain.

託

託

タク

屯

屯

Speech 言 that makes something sprout

タク

611

consignment Sprout growing up

612

accumulation

トン

military camp

A sprout with grown leaves or flowers (乇 ➝ 屯), suggesting an accumulation of leaves. The original meaning of ‘accumulation’ later became relegated to a figurative nuance that eventually gave rise, probably due to a semantic association, to the meaning of ‘military camp’, a place where troops accumulate.

頓

頓

613

トン

トン

春

春

Military camp 屯 with a leading head 頁

orderliness

シュン はる

Accumulation of plants under the sun

614

springtime

Originally 萅 [艹屯日], several plants (艹) growing and accumulating (屯) under the sun (日), depicting a distinctive 231

spring-like scene. Over time the top component 芚 got simplified into the form

,

which is graphically identical to the reduced version of component 奉 (two hands holding a lush plant).

世

世

Several sprouts

セ セイ よ

615

generation world

Several consecutive plant sprouts of different size, figuratively showing germinations from the past, the present and the future, alluding thus to different generations. The meaning of ‘generation’ is also sometimes expanded to that of ‘world’, understood as a psychological rather than a physical place, a space that can house all generations. The stems of the sprouts are represented by the strokes 𠃊, 𠃊 and 丨, while the thickness mark of the leaves have been joined in a horizontal line 一.

⽵

竹⺮

616

bamboo plant (Bambuseae)

チク たけ

Ⓡ

Several bamboo plants with long stems (丨亅) and their leaves ( ×2) hanging down. As component this glyph appears with the flattened form ⺮, which is placed in the upper part of the compounds. The semantics of this character, when acting as a component, 232

points in some occasions to the wobbly movement and elasticity shown by bamboo plants.

Hanging bamboo leaves

笑

➀➁ ショウ

笑 ➀➁わら.う え.む

Person wiggling 夭 like a bamboo plant

617

⺮ ➀ to laugh ➁ to smile

NOTE This character is a metaphorical, almost poetic, association of the wiggly and graceful movement (夭) of bamboo plants (竹 ➝ ⺮) with the idea of a smile shown on the face, which becomes flexible and light as bamboo.

笛

笛

618

チク

テキ ふえ

Bamboo stem ⺮ entering the mouth 由 flute ゴウ

答

トウ

答

こた.える

Shared talk between two mouths 合 going back and forth like bamboo plants ⺮

to answer 233

619

符

符 筆

筆 筋

筋 等

620

フ

フ

Attached 付 pieces of bamboo ⺮

token 621

ヒツ ふで

キン すじ

Brush 聿 made of bamboo ⺮ (writing or painting) brush Body part 月 that is strong 力 and

622

pliant like a bamboo plant ⺮ sinew 623

トウ

等 ひと.しい

Bamboo tablets ⺮ arranged at temples 寺

equivalent (to)

NOTE The etymological understanding of this character requires a bit of historical background, since it is pertinent to know that in ancient China, primitive books or administrative writings were made of thin sliced bamboo slabs joined together in a vertical position by threads. Ancient religious temples and monasteries, as in the West, were distinguished as places where books and documents where guarded and elaborated, hence the relation of ‘equivalence’ between books—or bamboo slats—and religious temples.

234

算

算

サン

Two hands handling an abacus made of bamboo

624

calculation

Two hands (⼶) handling a bamboo object (竹 ➝ ⺮) with a rectangular shape with grilles (目), which represents a computational abacus or suanpan (算盤), called soraban in Japanese.

Common abacus or ‘suanpan'

散

散

サン ち.らかす

Hand hitting plants under the moonlight

625

to disperse

A hand hitting (攵) bamboo plants (竹 ➝ ) at night under the moonlight (月 ➝ ⺝), alluding, plausibly, to a scene depicting a party of hunters or warriors dispersing across.

瓜

瓜

Gourd plant

コ

gourd

235

626

㊔

A gourd, squash, melon or any other of the plants from the cucurbit family, which are characterized by their fruits growing hanging from the branches.

A hanging gourd

孤

孤

Child 子 born in solitude like a gourd コ

コ

in a gourd plant 瓜 solitary

236

627

2 | TREES

Large plants with sturdy trunks are known as ‘trees’ 木, and like plants they take great prominence within the compositional elements of Chinese characters, since trees also serve to refer to wood and objects made of it. From the morphology of the tree some other concepts derive, such as that of ‘root’

本, which

denotes an origin or principle, or that of the top of a tree 末, which denotes an ‘end’. Thanks to the wood obtained from trees one can make a ‘bundle’ to transport things

束, and from this bundle a

‘backpack’ 東 can be also made. But trees are not only used to get wood and create objects with, since they also bear fruit, and a tree with fruits 禾 is distinctly used as a symbol of ‘prosperity’. There are also trees that bear fruits so heavy they they ‘droop’ in the branches

垂.

628

⽊

木

Ⓡ

ボク モク き こ-

tree wood

Originally 𣎵, a tree with a trunk (丨) from which branches appear extending upwards (凵 ➝ 一) and roots extending downwards ( ). As a component, this glyph gets the meaning not only of ‘tree’ but also of ‘wood’ and, by extension, objects made with it.

237

休

休 校

校

629

キュウ

Person 亻 leaning on a tree 木

やす.む

to rest コウ

コウ

Wooden tablets 木 being interchanged 交

school マイ

梅

梅

Tree 木 fertile as a new mother 毎

バイ うめ

根 杉

杉 検

検

631

plum tree (Prunus mume) plum

SPECIAL READING

根

630

コン ね

梅雨 [つゆ]: rainy season

Part of the tree 木 that makes it stand

632

コン

still 艮 root Tree 木 that looks like it had hair 彡

633

on its top

すぎ

cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) ケン

ケン

Wooden tablets 木 under authority 㑒 examination 238

634

枚

枚

Tree 木 being hit 攵 to obtain wooden sheets

マイ

flat object スン

村

村

ソン むら

Hands working 寸 on wood 木 to

架 条

条

636

make a settlement village カ

架

635

カ か.かる

Tree trunks 木 being added 加 one

637

after the other to bridge 638

ジョウ

Still foot 夂 over a wooden log 木 clause

NOTE This character refers to each of the tree trunks (木) or logs that were used to make primitive bridges on streams over which feet (夂) could tread. Each of those logs was altogether essential for the stability of the bridge. It is this focus on the importance of singularity from which the meaning of ‘clause’ derives, since a ‘clause’ can be understood as an indispensable article or part within a whole.

239

傑

傑

Person 亻 with two feet 舛 on top of a tree 木

ケツ

greatness Wooden tablet 木 able to unfold new

札

札

➀➁➂ サツ ➀➁ ふだ

松

640

energy 乚 ➀ tag ➁ ticket ➂ banknote Evergreen tree 木 with leaves always

松

639

641

コウ

ショウ まつ

shown to the public 公 pine tree (Pinus) pine

染

セン

染

そ.める

Arm 九 pouring water 氵 mixed with tree 木 leaves to dye ハン

板

板

ハン バン いた

642

Wooden tablet 木 against 反 which one can lean board

240

643

朴

朴 桃

桃

644

ボク

ボク

Wood 木 with cracks 卜 simple Product of a tree 木 that brings good

トウ もも

645

チョウ

omen 兆 peach (Prunus persica)

NOTE Peaches were considered in ancient China as a symbol of longevity—the result of a good omen–, reflected in Chinese mythology through the Peaches of Immortality (仙桃), which was considered food eaten by the immortals.

Tree 木 fruit that can easily roll down

栃

栃

とち

646

a cliff 厉 horse chestnut (Aesculus turbinata)

杯

➀➁ ハイ ➁

杯 さかずき

Wooden object 木 that spills like a フ

plant upside down 不 ➀ cup ➁ sake cup

241

647

模

模 棒

棒 葉

葉

ボ モ

Wooden object 木 whose origin is

648

ボ

hidden 莫 imitation Piece of wood 木 that can be held in

649

ホウ

ボウ

two hands as in an offering 奉 stick

ヨウ は

林

林

Plant-like 艹 sprouts 世 that come out

650

of a tree 木 leaf 651

Several trees

リン はやし

grove

Several trees placed together (木×2) forming a grove.

𠩵

レキ

Wooded pass on the top of a cliff

652

Passage Several trees (林) above a cliff (⼚), representing a mountain pass, a geographic feature figuratively adapted to reflect the passage of time.

242

レキ

歴

歴

Mountain pass 𠩵 with footprints 止 レキ

on its surface passage of time レキ

暦

暦

653

レキ こよみ

Passage (of time) 𠩵 dictated by the

654

sun 日 calendar

森

森

655

Many trees

シン もり

forest

A big amount of trees placed together (木×3), a forest.

乗

乗

656

ジョウ

Person on top of a tree

の.る

to ride

Originally 椉 [亠舛⽊], and then 乘, a person seen from the front (大 ➝ 亠 ➝ ㇒) with both feet (舛 ➝ 北) on top of a tree (木), a scene that shows a man climbing a tree or, literally, ‘riding’ on it. This character eventually underwent a further simplification process with the transformation of the glyph 乘 into 乗, where the central strokes got intertwined.

243

采

采

Hand grabbing a wooden object

サイ

657

baton

A hand grabbing (爪 ➝ 爫) an elongated object made of wood (木), namely a stick, cane or ‘baton’. サイ

彩

サイ

彩 いろど.る

Hand grabbing a wooden object 采

658

with hair 彡 at its tip to color

NOTE This is an ideogram that makes a clear reference to a painting brush with animal hair bristles at its tip.

採

採 菜

菜

サイ

サイ

Hand 扌 used to grab a wooden object 采

と.る

to pick

サイ な

Plants 艹 that a hand extracts out of a

659

660

サイ

wooden trunk 采 vegetables 661

相

相

ソウ ショウ あい

Eye watching from a tree mutual

244

An eye (目) looking from the top of a tree (木) at other eyes in the distance, referring to a mutual gaze. This ideogram probably denotes a primitive tribal hunting or fighting scene in which hunters or warriors had to survey the terrain from above before starting an ambush.

想

想 霜

霜 箱

箱

ソウ ソ

Feeling 心 arisen while watching

662

ソウ

someone from the top of a tree 相 idea

ソウ しも

Rain ⻗ remainings that can be

663

ソウ

observed from the top of a tree 相 frost Bamboo ⺮ framework over which one

664

can observe others 相

はこ

box

某

某

665

Sweet fruit of a tree

ボウ

(a) certain

A tree (木) fruit with a particular sweet taste (甘), standing out from the rest of the fruits.

245

媒

媒 謀

謀

ボウ

バイ

666

Woman 女 delivering a sweet fruit 某 mediator

ボウ ム はか.る

桼

ボウ

667

Speech 言 that becomes certain 某 to scheme 668

Fluid coming out of a tree Sap

Originally 𣏶 [木水], a fluid (水 ➝ 氺) coming out of a tree (木) in the form of drops ( ): the sap from the trees.

膝

膝 漆

漆

669

ひざ

シツ うるし

者

者

Body part 月 soft as sap 桼 knee Fluid 氵 that covers surfaces as it were

670

sap 桼 lacquer 671

シャ もの

Mouth eating cooked food person doing an action

246

This glyph shows some branches of a tree emitting sparks of fire (术 ➝ 𡗜 ➝ 耂) and a mouth with food inside (甘 ➝ 曰) or, in other words, a mouth eating food that has been cooked on the embers, scene depicting one of the most basic actions that a human being can do: eating.

暑

暑 諸

諸 煮

煮

672

シャ

ショ

Sun 日 acting 者

あつ.い

hot (weather) Speech 言 done while eating cooked

673

シャ

food 者

ショウ

various 674

シャ

シャ

Fire 灬 acting 者

に.る

to boil 675

著

著

➀ ➁ チョ ➀ いちじる. しい

Plants 艹 used to fan a bonfire over シャ

which food is cooked 者

➁

➀ remarkable

あらわ.す

➁ to author

247

箸

箸

Bamboo sticks ⺮ used to eat food

676

cooked on a bonfire 者

はし

chopsticks

尞

尞

リョウ

Wood burnt on a fire over which people talk

677

Bonfire

Originally 㶫 [𡗜火], branches of a tree emitting sparks (𡗜) of fire (火 ➝ 小), a depiction of a bonfire. Later on the component 曰 (speaking mouth) was added to reflect the idea of a bonfire around which people talk and converse.

僚

僚 瞭

瞭

リョウ

リョウ

678

Person 亻 by a bonfire 尞 colleague Eye 目 seeing things that are lit by the

679

リョウ

light of a bonfire 尞

リョウ

clearness

桑

桑

ソウ くわ

Tree with hanging bunches of mulberries mulberry tree (Morus)

248

680

A tree (木) top from which several bunches of mulberries (叒) hang.

耒

耒

681

Ⓡ

Heavily branched tree

A tree (木) with many lush branches (丰).

耗

耗

モウ コウ

Heavily branched tree 耒 becoming モウ

thin as hair 毛 to decrease Bamboo tablets ⺮ on which there are

籍

籍

682

683

セキ

セキ

written histories of older times 昔 in dense ramifications 耒 register Root of a tree

本

本

➀➁➂ ホン

684

➀ foundation ➁ book

➀ もと

➂ long thing The roots of a tree (木) represented by a line (一) in the lower part of the trunk. The meaning of ‘root’ derived from this character is interpreted 249

figuratively, rendering ‘root’ as the origin or cause of something. When the character appears as a single word, it also adopts the meaning of ‘book’, probably due to a phonetic loan, although books can be understood as the ‘root’ of knowledge.

体

体

タイ テイ からだ

朱

朱

685

A person’s 亻 foundation 本 body 686

Cut tree branches

シュ

scarlet

A tree (木) with branches (一) that have been cut (㇒), leaving their inner part exposed, which usually has a reddish or scarlet color.

殊

殊 株

株

シュ こと

Bone remains ⽍ stained with scarlet

687

シュ

朱 scraps of blood peculiar 688

かぶ

Trees 木 turned into cut branches 朱 stock

250

末

末

689

マツ バツ すえ

Top of a tree end

The top of a tree (木) pointed out by a long horizontal line (一) on the upper part of the component. The top of the tree figuratively marks the ‘end’ of it.

抹

抹

690

マツ

マツ

Hand 扌 putting an end 末 erasure

未

未

691

ミ

Leafy tree not yet fruitful not yet

A tree (木) with small leaves (－) but no fruit yet, a tree that is about to bloom.

妹

ミ

マイ

妹 いもうと 味

味

ミ あじ

692

Woman 女 that has not grown up yet 未

younger sister Food in the mouth 口 that has not been ミ

swallowed yet 未 taste

251

693

魅

魅 昧

昧

Presence of a ghost 鬼 whose figure has

694

ミ

yet 未 to appear

ミ

fascination ミ

マイ

695

Sun 日 that has not appeared yet 未 unclear

来

来

696

ライ

Fruits sprouting from a tree

く.る

to come

Originally 來, a tree (木) with branches from which fruits in bloom (从 ➝ 丷) are hanging, a tree that attracts people and animals and makes them come for the fruits. This glyph also suggests the idea of people who come home with fruits in their hands after having collected them.

束

束

697

Bundle of wood

ソク たば

Ⓡ

bundle

A bundle of wood (木) tied together with a rope (⼞).

勅

勅

ソク

チョク

Bundle 束 of strength 力 imperial decree

252

698

699

頼

頼

ライ

Tied head

たの.む たよ.る

to rely (on)

A tied (束) head (頁), a head attached to an external entity on which it depends and on which consequently needs to rely.

瀬

瀬

700

せ

東

東

Water 氵 that can be relied on 頼 shallows 701

Backpack

トウ ひがし

east

Originally 柬, a bundle (束) with contents inside (丷 ➝ 一), a bag or backpack. Although the meaning of ‘east’ is taken from a phonetic association, this glyph metaphorically evokes the scene of a backpack stuck in the ground breaking the horizon, making a contrast point between the sky and the earth like a sun rising from the east at dawn. 702

凍

トウ こお.る

凍 こご.える

トウ

Ice 冫 heavy as a backpack 東 to freeze

253

陳

陳 棟

棟

Backpacks visible 東 on the climbing of

703

a mountain range 阝

チン

display トウ むね

Wooden stick 木 sustaining a backpack 東

むな-

ridgepole

トウ

704

NOTE Metaphorical ideogram in which the idea of a wooden branch holding a backpack standing upright is extrapolated to the idea a wooden beam holding the roof of a house.

曹

曹

ソウ

Two people with backpacks speaking to each other

705

fellow

Originally 𣍘 [㯥曰], two full backpacks (東×2 ➝ 㯥 ➝ ) and a speaking mouth (曰), ideogram that refers to two traveling companions or fellows carrying their respective backpacks and talking to each other.

槽

槽

ソウ

ソウ

Wooden object 木 shared by fellows 曹 tub

254

706

707

重

重

➀ ジュウ Person carrying a backpack ➀ チョウ loaded with earth ➀ ➀ heavy おも.い ➁

➁ to pile up

かさ.ねる

This is a highly evolved character that originally had very distinguishable parts, which are: a person on top (人 ➝ ㇒), a bag in the middle (東), and earth at the bottom (土); forming the glyph 𡍺, which represents the idea of a bag loaded with earth-like heavy contents carried by a person. Eventually the form 𡍺 evolved into the current glyph 重 as the strokes in the middle (个) were absorbed by the lower component (土).

腫

腫 薫

薫

シュ は.れる

ジュウ

708

Body part 月 becoming heavy 重 to swell 709

クン かおる

動

動

Plants 艹 piled up 重 on a fire 灬 smoky scent Strength used by a person ドウ carrying a backpack loaded with earth うご.く to move

255

710

The strength (力) that a person uses in order to move while carrying a heavy backpack (重).

働

ドウ

Person 亻 moving 動

ドウ

働 はたら.く 勲

勲

711

to work 712

クン

Movement 動 like that of fire 灬 merit

NOTE This graph seems to allude to the merit derived from physical effort, represented by a vigorous movement that generates heat or a burn of energy similar to those produced by fire.

量

量

Mouth speaking about the weight of the backpack a ➁ リョウ person is carrying ➀ はか.る ➀ to weigh

713

➁ quantity Mouth speaking (曰) about the weight of a heavy backpack (重 ➝ 𫟯), which is directly related to the quantity of material that the backpack contains.

⽲

禾

Tree bearing fruit

カ

Prosperity

256

714

Ⓡ ㊔

A fruit (㇒) hanging from the top of a tree (木), a tree bearing fruit, symbol of ‘prosperity’.

季

季

Times in which is prosperous 禾 to キ

715

have children 子 season 716

和

和

➀➁ワ ➀オ ➀ なご.む ➀

Prosperous 禾 words 口 ➀ peaceful ➁ Japan

やわ.らぐ SPECIAL READING

香

香 秩

秩

➀ コウ ➁ キョウ ➀か ➀ かお.り

大和 [やまと]: Ancient Japan Tree fruits 禾 inside the mouth 曰 ➀ aroma ➁ incense シツ

チツ

717

Prosperity 禾 being lost 失 regularity

257

718

オン

穏

オン

穏 おだ.やか

Two hands holding the heart 𢚩 while contemplating prosperity 禾 tranquil Person from behind 匕 speaking 曰

稽

稽

ケイ

719

720

about raising the arm 尤 in order to obtain tree fruits 禾 training

私

私 税

税

➀シ ➁ わたくし ➁ わたし

Prosperity 禾 flowing around itself 厶

721

➀ private ➁I 722

ゼイ

Prosperity 禾 being exposed 兑 tax 723

移

イ

Prosperity 禾 in many quantities 多

移

うつ.る

to relocate

258

ジュウ

Tree fruit 禾 that is heavy 重 and

種

種

シュ たね

724

falls dawn seed (a) kind

委

委

725

イ

Prosperous woman

ゆだ.ねる

to assign (to)

A prosperous (禾) woman (女) whom anything can be entrusted or assigned.

萎

萎

イ

Plants 艹 in the hands of a prosperous

726

イ

woman 委

な.える

to shrivel

NOTE It can be interpreted as meaning that a prosperous woman is so busy that she cannot or do not want to care for the plants in a garden.

秀

秀

727

シュウ

Prosperous pregnant woman

ひい.でる

to excel

A pregnant woman (乃) who is prosperous (禾) and promises to prolong her prosperity by bringing a child into the world, a woman who is excellent for the family.

259

誘

誘

ユウ

Speech 言 that excels 秀

さそ.う

to entice

兼

兼

728

シュウ

729

ケン Hand holding two saplings か.ねる to work simultaneously

An outstretched hand (⺕ ≈ 又) grasping two kinds of small fruits (禾×2). 730

嫌

嫌 謙

謙

ケン ゲン いや

ケン

Woman 女 holding only saplings 兼 to dislike

きら.う

ケン

ケン

731

Speech 言 small as saplings 兼 humble

秋

秋

732

Fruit trees on fire

シュウ あき

autumn

A tree whose fruits and leaves (禾) turn into the color of fire (火) during the fall. This ideogram could also refer, in origin, to the stubble burning that was traditionally done in autumn in ancient agricultural 260

societies.

愁

愁

シュウ

Feeling 心 arising while seeing fruit

733

シュウ

trees on fire 秋

うれ.い

to be distressed 734

垂

スイ

Big fruits hanging from a tree

垂

た.れる

to droop

Originally 𠦬, and then 𠂹, a fruit tree (禾 ➝ 千 ➝ 亻), from which many fruits (𠈌) hang. The sense of ‘hanging’ that emanates from the character was eventually reinforced with the addition of the “earth” component (土)—to highlight the downward direction, pointing to the ground, of hanging fruits—thus giving rise to the form 𡍮, which would then got simplified into the current glyph: 垂.

唾

唾 睡

睡

ダ つば

Something drooping 垂 from the mouth 口 saliva スイ

スイ

735

Drooping 垂 eyes目 drowsiness

261

736

737

華

華

カ ケ はな

Exuberant lush plant splendor

Originally 蕐 [艹 𠦬], a plant (艹) as splendorous as a tree that bears many fruits (𠦬 ➝ 𠦒).

262

3 | GRAINS In addition to plants, there are some other vegetal elements held in high esteem because they are also a key source of food. Those elements are the ‘small’ grains 小 that can be obtained from some plants. Within the Asian diet the most important kind of grain is undoubtedly the one that comes off the ‘rice plant’ from which ‘white’ rice grains

米,

白 can be extracted.

738

小

ショウ こ

Small cereal grains

お小 ⺌ ちい.さい

small

Small grains of some kind of cereal. This component also can take the simplified form ⺌ in some compounds.

肖

肖

739

Cereals and meat

ショウ

similar

Cereals (小 ➝ ⺌) and meat (月 ➝ ⺝), two of the basic food types ingested by humans, two elements with a similar nutritional function.

263

740

消

消 硝

硝

➀➁ ショウ ➀ け.す ➁ き.える

ショウ

Water 氵 over cereals and meat 肖 ➀ to make disappear ➁ to disappear Stone powder 石 covering cereals and

741

ショウ

meat 肖

ショウ

saltpeter

NOTE This character can be better understood if it is taken into account that saltpeter was used as a canning element in some traditional cuisines.

当

当

742

トウ

Hand aiming at something

あ.てる

to hit a target

Originally 𢑐, an outstretched hand (⺕ ➝ ) aiming at a small (小 ➝ ⺌) object, in order to hit it precisely. The literal meaning of the character, ‘to hit a target’ oftentimes adopts more figurative nuances, such as that of facing or confronting something.

隙

ゲキ すき

Small sun rays penetrating through the mountains

gap

264

743

Small (小×2) sun (日) rays penetrating through the gaps of a mountain ridge (阜 ➝ 阝).

少

少

ショウ

Several small cereal grains

すく.ない

little

すこ.し

few

744

Extended form of the glyph 小 (small cereal grains), it shows a handful of small cereal grains, which, however, is not large enough to be considered as a meal, i.e. a small amount of cereals, ‘few’ cereal grains. This character also represents the derived concept of ‘little’.

妙

妙

745

ショウ

ミョウ

Woman 女 that is little 少 exquisite

ショウ

省

省 抄

抄

➀ セイ ➁➂ ショウ ➂ はぶ.く

Eye 目 looking at little things 少

➀ focus ➁ ministry ➂ to leave out ショウ

ショウ

746

Hand 扌 picking small cereal grains 少

extraction

265

747

劣

劣 沙

沙 砂

砂 秒

秒

748

レツ

Little 少 strength 力

おと.る

to be inferior (to) ショウ

サ

サ シャ すな

Water 氵 next to small grains 少 sand [fig.] ショウ

750

Small grains 少 of stone 石 sand 751

ショウ

ビョウ

749

Small grains 少 of a tree fruit 禾 second (time unit)

NOTE This glyph originally represented a few small grainshaped elements (少) placed inside tree fruits (禾), that is, the seeds or pips of fruits. Over time, the character began to denote anything the size of a seed, or put it another way, something tiny. This sense of ‘smallness’ was finally extrapolated to the more concrete meaning of ‘second (as a time unit)’ to which the character refers today.

歩

歩

Few footsteps

➀➁ホ ➂フ ➀ ある.く ➀ あゆ.む

➀ to walk ➁ step ➂ pawn 266

752

A few (少) footsteps (止), enough to start walking.

頻

頻 捗

捗 渉

渉

753

ヒン

Head 頁 making thinking steps 歩 constantly 754

チョク

Hand 扌 making steps 歩 progress 755

ショウ

Water 氵 on which one can walk 歩 ford 756

米

米

ベイ

Rice plant

マイ こめ

Ⓡ

rice

Several grains of rice coming off a rice plant (一) with its ears (⺌, 个), from which rice grains are extracted.

A rice plant

267

粒

粒 隣

隣

Rice grains 米 that make people stand

リュウ つぶ

リン とな.る

粘

ネン

粘

ねば.る

リュウ

upright 立

grain Mountains 阝 through which someone

菊

キク

758

comes down 舛 carrying rice grains 米

to neighbor Rice grains 米 that can be easily taken

759

セン

up 占

sticky Plant 艹 whose leaves lean 勹 over its

菊

757

760

seed grains 米 chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium) 761

糧

糧

リョウ ロウ かて

リョウ

Some quantity 量 of rice grains 米 food

268

娄

娄

762

Woman picking grains of rice

A woman (女) picking small grains of rice (米). 763

数

数

➀ ➁ スウ Woman picking grains of rice 娄 under ➀➁ス the threat of a weapon 攵 ➀ かず ➀ number ➁ かぞ.える ➁ to count

NOTE Reference to forced or bonded labour that requires a numbered amount of production.

楼

楼

Wooden structure 木 where picked

764

grains of rice 娄 are stored

ロウ

high building 765

歯

歯

Bones of the mouth used to Ⓡ chew rice grains

シ は

tooth

Originally , this graph represented, pictographically, a mouth (⼞) with its two rows of teeth inside (𠈌). シ

Over time the component 止 (footsteps) was added to the pictogram 269

as a phonetic element, giving rise to the form 齒. Finally the form 齒 was transformed into the current glyph 歯, where the pictographic component representing the teeth (𠈌) has been replaced with the semantic component 米 (rice), giving rise to a new ideogrammatic reinterpretation of the character, which now shows the element of the mouth (口 ➝ ⼞) that stands (止) inside and serves to chew rice (米) or other food.

齢

齢

レイ

レイ

766

Teeth 歯 counting under command 令 age

NOTE This character originally referred to the age of animals, which was usually determined under a careful inspection of the condition of their teeth.

巻

巻

カン

Two hands rolling rice grains

767

to roll (up)

ま.く

volume of books

Two hands manipulating grains of rice ((𠬞 + 米) ➝ ) in order to turn them into rolls resembling the symbolic rolled form of circulating energy (己). As a component this character can appear in the abbreviated form: .

270

拳

拳

カン

A hand 手 rolled up 

ケン こぶし

暴

暴

768

fist ボウ バク

Four hands fighting for the rice grains to be eaten

あば.れる

to act violently

769

Four hands (共 ➝ ) of people who fight over some grains of rice (米 ➝ 氺) that they want to put into their mouths (甘 ➝ 曰), a scene of notorious violence.

爆

爆

バク

バク

康

康

770

Fire 火 acting violently 暴 explosion

コウ

Hand extracting grains from a rice plant

771

Ease

Originally 𥹺, an outstretched hand (⺕ ≈ 又) extracting the grains (米 ➝ 氺) of a rice plant (广 + 丨), an action that can be performed with a certain degree of ease.

271

唐

唐

トウ

Hand feeding rice grains to a mouth

772

Tang dynasty

A hand extracting grains from a rice plant (康 ➝ the mouth (口).

) to take them to

The concrete meaning of this ideogram seems to allude to that of a generous ruler or a fertile land. This glyph of positive connotations was adopted in any case by the Chinese Tang dynasty royal family to refer to its clan.

糖

糖

トウ

トウ

773

Rice grains 米 fed in the mouth 唐 sugar

NOTE The original meaning of this character alluded to a kind of sweet cake made with rice. After the sugar cane was introduced into East Asia the meaning of this character was changed to refer to the element extracted from it: ‘sugar’.

気

気

キ ケ

Floating energy obtained from rice

774

mood atmosphere

SPECIAL READING

浮気 [うわき]: extramarital affair キ

Originally 氣, the energy that floats in the environment (气) arisen 272

from the intake of food like rice (米 ➝ 㐅). 775

⾤

Isolated rice grain

釆

A particular grain (㇒) separated from the rest of the grains obtained from a rice plant (米).

釈

釈

776

シャク

シャク

朮

Measured 尺 and isolated parts ⾤ interpretation 777

ジュツ

Hand separating a rice grain from the rest

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 屮 ➝ 十) distributing (八 ➝ ハ) a grain of rice (丶), separating it from the rest, in reference to a sieve. 778

ハク

白

白 SPECIAL READING

A white grain of rice

ビャク しろ

white

しら-

Clarity

白髪 [しらが]: white hair

A single grain of rice, chosen for its whiteness and gleam. 273

Ⓡ

The angular strokes ⼞ represent the contour—once pictographical, now linearized—of a rounded grain of rice. The upper stroke ㇒ is a vestige of what was the depiction of the sharp tip of the grain, and the inner line 一 is an abstract mark that reinforces the idea of what is seen within the grain's contour: the color white. As a component, this glyph sometimes takes on the meaning of ‘clarity’ or ‘clear’, as an evident derivation from the original meaning of ‘white’.

Standard shape of a grain of rice

伯

伯

ハク

Person 亻 owning the white rice 白

ハク

chief

SPECIAL READING

拍

拍

779

伯父 [おじ]: father ハク

ハク ヒョウ

780

Hand 扌 making a clear 白 sound clap ハク

泊

ハク

Water 氵 that is clear 白 and shallow

泊

と.まる

to lodge at

781

NOTE The allusion to clear and shallow water indicates a suitable area for the anchorage of ships where it is possible to moor and spend the night at some nearby lodging. 274

皆

皆

カイ みな

Several people collecting white grains of rice

782

everyone

Several people next to one another (比) collecting white grains of rice (白) in order to eat them, an allegorical scene highlighting white rice as the kind of food that everyone eats, since white rice is the staple food in ancient and contemporary China.

諧

諧 階

階 楷

楷

783

カイ

カイ

Speech 言 made by everyone 皆

harmony Parts of the mountains 阝 where

カイ

784

カイ

people collect white grains of rice 皆 storey

カイ

カイ

泉

泉

785

Wooden tablets 木 used by everyone 皆

regular style (in writing) 786

Clear water

セン いずみ

fountain

Clear (白) water (水) coming out of a fountain.

275

It is worth noting that the original form of this character was a pictogram directly showing the water flowing out of a cave, but the part that represented the cave was later replaced by the component 白 (clarity).

腺

腺

Body part 月 that secretes liquids like a

787

セン

fountain 泉

セン

gland

原

原

➀ ゲン ➁ はら

Fountain springing from a cliff ➀ source

788

➁ wilderness

Originally 厡, a cliff (⼚) acting as the source of a fountain of clear water (泉 ➝ ).

願

願 源

ガン ねが.う

Head 頁 thinking of a fountain

789

ゲン

springing from a cliff 原 to desire

ゲン

源 みなもと

Water 氵 coming from a source ゲン

fountain 原 fountainhead

276

790

REVIEW ON PLANTS

⼬端余早朝⽣告星不艹荅

1

若荒蒸卉奔莫丰麦夆勃寿拝 奉坴埶陵舞乇屯春世⽵算散 ⽠

叙塗除乾嘲潮姓性産隆否花茨芯葛 芽葬芝茎草茶搭塔諾慌膜慕暮募漠 墓毒麺峰俸奏泰睦陸勢熱無託頓笑 笛答符筆筋等孤

⽊林𠩵森乗采相某桼者尞桑 ⽾本朱末未来束頼東曹重動 量⽲委秀兼秋垂華 2

休校梅根杉検枚村架条傑札松染板 朴桃栃杯模棒葉歴暦彩採菜想霜箱 媒謀膝漆暑諸煮著箸僚瞭耗籍体殊 株抹妹味魅昧勅瀬凍陳棟槽腫薫働 勲季和⾹秩穏稽私税移種萎誘嫌謙 愁唾睡 277

⼩肖当隙少歩⽶娄歯巻暴康 唐⾤朮⽩皆泉原 3

消硝妙省抄劣沙砂秒頻捗渉粒隣粘 菊糧数楼齢拳爆糖気釈伯拍泊諧階 楷腺願源

278

ANIMALS 1 | OVIPAROUS Animals are, along plants, another key natural element in any culture because they not only provide food but can also be used for many other functions such as transport or clothing. Within the existing animals two major divisions can be made according to the way in which they are born: oviparous animals, which are born from ‘eggs’ 卵; and mammalian animals, which are born directly from the mother's womb. Within the group of the oviparous there are animals as diverse as ‘insects’ ⾍, ‘fish’

魚, ‘turtles’

亀, or ‘birds’

⾫ and ‘poultry’

鳥, characterized by their wings full of ‘feathers’

卵

卵

羽.

791

Spawn

ラン たまご

egg

Several eggs (𠂑, 卪) from a spawn of fish, frogs, insects or any of the species that lay small eggs that stick together and have a black spot in their center. Pictogram currently referring to the broad concept of ‘egg’.

Eggs from a frog spawn 279

792

⾍

Serpent

チュウ むし

虫

Ⓡ

insect

Cobra type snake, with an upright body, a notoriously large head (⼞) and a meandering body (厶). Over time this character began to be associated with any kind of creature with a thin and elongated body, such as worms, and, eventually, any kind of ‘insect’.

Primitive version of the pictograph for 'snake’

蚕

蚕 蛮

蛮

793

サン かいこ

Wiggling 夭 ➝ 天 insect ⾍ silkworm People distributing themselves 亦 like insects ⾍

バン

barbarian

280

794

蚊

蚊 蜂

蜂

Insect ⾍ that leaves a mark in the

795

body 文

か

mosquito ホウ

ホウ はち

796

Insect ⾍ standing on lush plants bee 797

蜀

Person picking insects

蜀

A leaning person (勹) looking with his eyes (目 ➝ 罒) over an insect (⾍) in order to pick it up.

濁

濁

ダク にご.る

属

属

Water 氵 from which one can collect insects 蜀

798

to be polluted

ゾク ショク

Creature sitting on a person picking insects

799

to belong to

Originally 屬 [ 蜀], an ape-type animal, sitting with its tail (尾 ➝ ) on top of a person who is picking up insects 蜀. This ideogram evokes the scene of a certain kind of animal in relation to another animal of another species, making reference to the interdependence 281

that all living beings maintain, all belonging to the same nexus. The lower part of the character ( into the strokes 禹.

嘱

嘱

+ 蜀) over time got simplified

ショク

ショク

800

Words 口 that make belong 属 entrusting 801

魚

魚

Ⓡ

ギョ うお さかな

fish

A fish, drawn vertically. The pointed head is represented by ⺈ and the body with its scales is represented by 田. The lower strokes 灬 are a schematization of the moving tail of the fish while swimming in the water, a graph that is not semantically related to the simplified version of the component for “fire” (火 ➝ 灬), although it is graphically identical to it.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘fish’

282

ギョ

漁

漁

ギョ リョウ

Water 氵 covering fish 魚 that are

802

going to be caught fishing 803

再

再

サ サイ

Trapped fish once more

ふたた.び

Fish trapped ( ) between the two ends of a fish trap (工). This character takes its meaning in reference to the fact that fish always, time and again, fall into the fishing traps.

冓

冓

804

Fishing trap

コウ

A complex net of fishing traps in which several fish have been trapped. The lower part of the graph is the component for “trapped fish” (再), while the upper part is the same component turned upside down and simplified ( ), alluding in this way to a multitude of fish trapped thanks to a complex trap or set of traps.

283

講

講

Speech 言 interconnected as the コウ

コウ

structure of a fishing trap 冓 lecture コウ

溝

溝 構

805

コウ みぞ

Holes in a fishing trap 冓 that allow

806

water 氵to pass through gutter

コウ

Wood pieces 木 interlinked to form a コウ

fishing trap 冓

構 かま.える 亀

亀

807

to set up 808

キ かめ

turtle

A turtle depicted vertically, with the tip of the head represented by ⺈, the protruding head proper depicted by 田, and the body and tail by 电

隹

隹

809

Bird

スイ

Ⓡ

A rampant bird with folded wings and a short tail, probably a falcon, seen from the side.

284

The left part 亻 represents the bird’s body profile (丨) and the head (㇒), while the right part represents the unfolded plumage.

携

ケイ

携 たずさ.える 唯

唯

ユイ イ

Hand 扌 carrying a bird ⾫ that is pregnant 乃 and carries a baby bird inside

to carry Solitary song produced by the mouths 口

誰

だれ

811

スイ

of the birds 隹 in the morning

only Bird ⾫ using singing speech 言 for

誰

810

812

calling the attention of other birds who someone

NOTE It refers to the question arisen from an unknown voice whose identity has to be ascertained.

雅

雅 推

推

ガ

Bird ⾫ with fangs

ガ

813

elegance スイ

スイ

Hand 扌 throwing a bird 隹 into the air

お.す

to push ahead 285

814

Outstretched hand 又 holding a single

隻

隻

815

bird ⾫

セキ

one of a pair vessel シ

雌

雌 准

准 堆

堆

シ めす

Bird ⾫ staying behind 此 during the

816

act of copulation

め-

female 817

ジュン

Bird ⾫ trying to drink from ice 冫 semiスイ

タイ

818

Soil 土 over which birds 隹 fly heap

NOTE Originally this character meant ‘hill’ or ’sea rock’, making use of an ideographic association analogous to the form 島 (island). Over time, however, this glyph began to designate any type of mound or heap.

催

催

サイ もよお.す

Person 亻 located high above like a bird スイ

隹 flying over a mountain 山 to host

286

819

椎

椎 稚

稚

820

スイ

ツイ

Tree 木 over which birds 隹 rest oak スイ

チ

雄

雄

821

Fruits of a tree 禾 only eaten by birds 隹

immature ユウ お おす

822

Energetic arm carrying a bird

male

The original glyph was 厷, which represents an outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) filled with floating energy (厶), highlighting the concept of energy or force evoked by the male sex. Later on, the component ⾫ (bird) was most probably added through an analogy to the character for “female” (雌), which shares said component in reference to the position that the female bird takes in copulation. In contrast, the present character can be associated with the active (energetic) role that the male bird takes in the reproductive act. 823

焦

焦

➀➁ ショウ

Bird burning in a fire ➀ to burn ➁ to fret

➀ こ.げる ➁ あせ.る

A bird (⾫) being burnt in a fire (火 ➝ 灬).

287

ショウ

礁

礁

Submerged stone 石 that causes fret 焦

ショウ

824

shoal rock reef 825

集

集

シュウ

Birds on a tree

あつ.める つど.う

to gather

Originally 雧 [雥⽊], several birds (⾫×3 ➝ 雥 ➝ ⾫) on top of a tree (木), showing the tree as a place where many birds congregate or gather, because it is in the tops of trees where a large number of birds can be seen together at rest.

奞

奞

826

Bird unfolding wings

A bird (⾫) becoming bigger (大) while unfolding its wings to take off on a flight.

奪

ダツ

奪

うば.う

Hand working 寸 in order to catch a bird that unfurls its wings 奞 trying to escape

to snatch

288

827

828

Bird with a crest and deep eyes

カン

Heron

Originally 雚, a bird (⾫) with a noticeable crest (⻀ ➝

) and

deep eyes (吅 ➝ 一), probably a heron.

歓

歓 観

観 勧

Heron カン

カン

権

829

open 欠 in front of a prey delight Deep eyes of a heron

カン

looking 見

830

around

カン

view 831

カン

Heron

勧 すす.める 権

delighted with its mouth

ケン ゴン

カン

that is strong 力

to recommend Heron

カン

on top of a tree 木

authority rights

289

832

蒦

カク

Outstretched hand grabbing a crested bird

833

Snare An outstretched hand (又) catching a crested bird (⾫ + ⻀ ➝ 雈 ➝ 萑) on the fly.

護

護

ゴ

Speech 言 snaring

カク

834

an argument

defense

NOTE This character originally referred to an argumentative defense against an accusation. Over time, that connotation was extended to any type of defense or protection.

穫

穫

カク

鳥

鳥

Prosperity 禾 being snared

カク

835

harvest 836

poultry

チョウ とり

Ⓡ

bird

A fowl depicted in profile, with a body that is smaller and plumper than birds that fly at great heights. The upper part of the graph, 白, represents the beak (㇒) and the head with its eyes (曰). The middle part shows the body and folded wings, and, finally, the bottom part 灬 is a representation of the legs of the bird. 290

Over time, the character's meaning of fowl or poultry was expanded to also cover any type of bird, while the original character designating such concept (⾫) has been relegated to be used only as a component. The original meaning of the character, ‘poultry’, is mainly reserved in contemporary Japanese for the sense of ‘chicken meat’.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘poultry’

鳴

鳴 鶏

鶏

メイ

Mouth 口 of a bird 鳥 making sounds

to chirp

な.く

ケイ

to make sound Bird 鳥 that can be caught even as an adult

にわとり

島

島

837

838

ケイ

chicken 839

トウ しま

Mountain overflown by birds

island

Originally 㠀 [鳥山], a bird (鳥 ➝ ) flying over or resting on top of a mountain (山), in reference to the resounding scene of seagulls or seabirds hovering around a rock in the middle of the sea, that is: an island.

291

⽻

羽

840

ウ は はね

Wings

Ⓡ

feather

Two wings (习×2) unfolded and showing their feathers.

翌

翌

Wings 羽 flying a bird that was ヨク

841

previously standing 立 on the ground the following

NOTE In reference to the succession of movement: The state of flying motion following the state of rest.

翼

翼 翁

翁 習

習

842

ヨク Person putting on 異 a pair of wings 羽 つばさ wing 843

コウ

オウ

Public 公 man wearing feathers 羽 venerable old man 844

シュウ Wings 羽 flapping in a clear 白 movement なら.う

to learn

292

翟

845

タク

Bird with spread wings

Originally 翟 [羽⾫], a bird (⾫) with its two wings spread (羽 ➝ ).

躍

ヤク

躍

おど.る

曜

曜 濯

濯

Foot 足 movement making the body fly

846

タク

like a bird with spread wings 翟

to leap Sun 日 going forward like a bird with

847

spread wings 翟

ヨウ

weekday Water 氵 soaking the spread wings of a

848

タク

bird 翟

タク

rinse

⾶

飛

849

ヒ

Bird flapping wings

と.ぶ

to fly

Originally 𠃧 two wings spread in full flight at high speed. Over time, the component 羽 (wings) was added to the original glyph to reinforce the meaning, forming the graph 𦐭, which would later become simplified into 𩙱 and finally into the current version: 飛. 293

非

非

ヒ

Wings flapping against each other

850

negation

Two wings spread in opposite directions, denying flight and subsequently any action.

俳

俳 悲

ハイ

Person 亻 negating 非 his own personality

actor

排

852

ヒ

ヒ

Negative 非 feeling 心

悲 かな.しい 排

851

ヒ

sad Hand 扌 making wings flap in the ヒ

ハイ

opposite direction 非 expulsion

294

853

2 | MAMMALS Mammalian animals are the ones that have the closest relationship with humans, as many of them have been domesticated. One of the most distinctive domesticated mammals is the ‘dog’ 犬, which not only helps with the cattle or to act as a guardian but also serves as companions. Another important mammal is the ‘hog’ 豕, which helps with dietary needs. There are also larger animals, such as the ‘elephant’ 象, the ‘horse’ 馬. Then there are finally some mammals that are aggressive and indomitable, such as the ‘capable’ bear their ‘horns’

能 or the ‘tiger’

角, such as the oxen or ‘cattle’

羊 or the ‘deer’

⽝

虎, or those characterized by

犬犭

牛, the ‘sheep’

鹿.

Mammalian animal

ケン いぬ

854

Ⓡ

dog

An animal standing on four legs, with a tail and pointed ears, depicted in a vertical position. This is a generic pictographic representation that suggests many types of mammalian animals, from which the concept of ‘dog’ was taken for the base meaning of the character when working as a standalone. The horizontal line 一 represents at the same time the head and the front legs, the oblique line 丿 also represents the head and the hind legs, while the drop 丶 represents the ears and the stroke ㇏ the body and an upright tail. When the character acts as a component and is placed on the right, it adopts the glyph 犭, which is more similar to the original 295

pictograph.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘dog’

伏

伏 犯

犯 狭

狭

フク

Person 亻 adopting the pose of a dog 犬

ふ.す

to bow down ハン

ハン

Animal 犭 making a person huddle ⺋

おか.す

to violate

キョウ

Dog 犭 between people

せま.い

narrow

855

856

857

NOTE Referring to a narrow pass, in the middle of a forest or a mountain, where it is easy to come across animals.

独

独

ドク

Dog 犭waiting alone to hunt an insect ⾍

ひと.り

alone

296

858

獲

獲 獄

獄

カク

カク

Dog 犭 capturing a heron

え.る

to obtain Dogs 犭⽝ saying 言 something to each

860

other

ゴク

prison

猟

猟 Originally 巤 [ hair (

859

リョウ

Dog hunting furry animals

861

game-hunting

], a hairy head (

←

) surrounded by more

), a furry head, presumably the head of a fierce animal.

Over time the component 巤 was simplified into the form 鼡 and the component for “dog” (犬 ➝ 犭) was added, which reinforces the meaning of ‘hunting’ as it suggests the scene of a dog going after its furry prey.

臭

臭臭

シュウ

Nose of a dog

くさ.い にお.う

862

to smell

The nose (自) of a dog (犬), notorious for its great smelling power. When this graph appears as a standalone character it takes, in Japanese, the graph 臭, which has omitted the stroke 丶 of the “dog” component (犬 ➝ 大), making the lower part of the character 297

graphically identical to the component 大 (big), which can evoke the idea of a big smelling nose.

嗅

キュウ

嗅

Action made by the mouth 口 and the

863

シュウ

nose of a dog 臭

か.ぐ

to sniff

NOTE The original form of this character was 齅 [鼻臭], formed by the component 鼻 (nose) and the component 臭 (to smell). The component 鼻 was eventually replaced by 口 (mouth) to reduce the number of strokes and facilitate writing.

然

然

ゼン ネン

Meat of an animal on fire

864

thus

Meat (肉 ➝ ) of a mammalian animal (犬) cooked on fire (火 ➝ 灬), referring to what is as it should be, what is duly, thus, in the expected manner, in that manner.

燃

燃

ネン

More fire 火 added to meat of an

865

ネン

animal on fire 然

も.える

to get fired up 866

黙

モク

Animal in the black night

黙

だま.る

to be silent

Originally 默 [黒⽝], a dog or another mammal (犬) silent in the 298

コク

black (黒) darkness of the night.

類

類

ルイ

Plant, animal and person

たぐ.い

type

867

Originally 類 [米犬頁], a rice plant (米), alluding to plants in general, a mammalian animal (犬 ➝ 大), referring to animals in general, and a person with an enhanced head (頁), referring to the human being. Ideographic composition that encompasses the most synthesized typology of living beings: plants, animals and human beings. 868

⾘

Beast

豸

Ⓡ

A four-legged mammal opening its mouth as a sign of ferocity and aggressiveness: a beast.

貌

貌

ボウ

Beasts and people clearly told apart

869

appearance

‘Appearance’ regarded as the thing that distinguishes clearly (白) a beast (⾘) from a person (人 ➝ ⼉).

299

貇

貇

870

Still person looking at a beast

コン

コン

A person who looks calmly and still (艮) at a wild beast (⾘).

懇

懇 墾

墾

コン

Feeling 心 caused by a beast that lets

871

コン

itself be looked at 貇

ねんご.ろ

friendly Soil 土 where beasts can be calmly

872

コン

looked at 貇

コン

farmland

求

求

873

キュウ

Furry animal

もと.める

to seek

A four-legged animal with particularly long fur. The current graph is presumed to be a derivation of the glyph 犬 (mammalian animal) with the addition of more strokes that represent the animal's long fur (㇔㇛). The meaning of the standalone character alludes to the need to seek furry animals for making clothes.

300

救

救

874

キュウ

キュウ

Furry animal 求 hit by a weapon 攵

すく.う

to save 875

豕

Hog

豕

A pig, hog or the like, drawn vertically. The top line 一  represents the head and the lower part 𧰨, represents the body, the four legs and the curly tail.

豚

豚

Meat 月 of a hog 豕

トン ぶた

876

pork pig 877

㒸

Distributed hogs

㒸

Hogs (豕) distributed (八 ➝ 丷) through the population.

隊

隊

タイ

Hogs distributed in the mountains

878

regiment

Hogs distributed (㒸) along a mountain range (阜 ➝ 阝), referring 301

to the need to distribute food and other commodities in military camps located in the mountains.

墜

墜

879

タイ

ツイ

亥

亥

Soil 土 on which a regiment 隊 passes crash 880

Skeleton of a hog

ガイ

㊔

Framework

The skeleton of a hog. An earlier version of the current graph was 𧰧, which clearly is 豕 (pig) with fewer strokes: a pig without the flesh. The meaning of ‘skeleton of a hog’ has then been extended to mean any type of supporting structure, so to say, a ‘framework’.

骸

骸 該

該

ガイ

ガイ

ガイ

881

ガイ

882

Bones 骨 that make up a framework 亥 skeleton Speech 言 arranged in a framework 亥 aforementioned

302

劾

劾 核

核

883

ガイ

ガイ

Framework 亥 giving strength 力 denunciation ガイ

カク

象

象

884

Tree 木 skeleton 亥 kernel ➀ elephant

➀ ゾウ ➁ ショウ

885

➁ figure

An elephant depicted vertically. The upper strokes ⺈ represent the curved trunk, the central strokes 𫩏 represent the head and the lower part 𧰨 represents the four legs, the body and the tail, as the lower strokes in 豕 (hog). The second meaning of ‘figure’ probably derives from the fact that elephants were not common in ancient China—nor in contemporary China–, so the sight of such an animal was only possible for most people through mental or artistic figures.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘elephant’

303

像

像

ゾウ

ゾウ

為

為 SPECIAL READING

886

Person 亻 making a mental figure 象 image

イ

Hand grabbing a figure

887

deed

為替 [かわせ]: money order

Originally 爲 (爪 ), a hand grabbing (爪 ➝ 爫 ➝ 丶) a figure—or a elephant representing a figure—(象 ➝ 𤉢 ➝ ) in order to perform a new controlled action with it. 888

偽

偽

ギ いつわ.る

イ

Person 亻 grabbing a figure 為 to fake

にせ

馬

馬

889

バ うま

horse

Ⓡ

ま-

A horse depicted vertically. The head practically has been reduced to an eye (目) and the mane (三), while the four legs have become four dots (灬) and the tail a hook on the right (𠃌).

304

駄

駄 駅

駅 駒

駒 験

験 篤

篤

890

タ

ダ

Horse 馬 that is fat 太 packhorse 891

シャク

エキ

Horse 馬 travels measuring 尺 place station Horse 馬 whereupon sentences 句 are

892

made

こま

board game piece ケン

ケン ゲン

Horse 馬 examined by an authority 㑒 verification チク

トク

騒

ソウ

騒

さわ.ぐ

893

894

Horse 馬 hard and flexible as bamboo ⺮

serious Horse 馬 on which an outstretched hand 又 places insects ⾍ to make noise

305

895

能

能

896

Bear

ノウ

capability

An animal with large jaws (⺝), a small tail (厶) and legs that end in sharp claws (𫧇): a bear. The original meaning of ‘bear’ has been displaced by that of ‘capability’, a meaning which, although probably due to a phonetic loan, can be understood as an association to the extraordinary capabilities bears have compared to other mammals, such as the ability to hibernate for a long time or the ability to climb trees despite their heavy weight and large size.

態

態 熊

熊

タイ

くま

虎

虍虎

Capability 能 of the heart and mind 心

897

condition Bear 能 that can be cooked with fire 灬

898

bear 899

コ とら

tiger

Ⓡ

A tiger, drawn vertically. The head and the mouth with its fangs are depicted by ⺊ and 乛, the body and the tail are represented by the stroke 丿 and the legs by 七. 306

When acting as standalone character this glyph gets the component for “person” (人 ➝ ⼉) added below, ideographically referring to the threat posed by tigers to man.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘tiger’

虞

虞 慮

慮

Person subjugated 呉 to the mouth of

900

a tiger 虍

おそれ

anxiety Thoughts 思 arising from the リョ

901

encounter with a tiger 虍 consideration

虚

虚

Hill with tigers

キョ コ

903

to harass

キョウ

コ

A hill (斤 ➝ 业) inhabited by tigers (虍). The sense of ‘void’ understood initially, deducing by the ideograph, as ‘void of people’ because of the menace of the tigers.

307

虐

虐

903

ギャク

Tiger crushing a person

しいた.げる

to harass

Originally 䖈, a tiger (虍) pouncing on a person who is facing away from him (七 ➝ ).

兔

兔

904

rabbit

ト

㊔ 兎

 

A rabbit drawn vertically. The tip of the head is represented by ⺈, the prominent ears by the strokes 𫩏, the body and legs by ⼉ and the tail by the stroke 丶. When the character appears as a standalone (forming part of some names) it does so with the variant 兎.

角

角

➀ horn

➀ ➁ カク ➀ つの ➂ かど

905

Ⓡ

➁ angle ➂ corner

A sharp pointed and scaled horn of an animal. The tip of the horn is represented by the strokes ⺈, which are used identically to represent a sharped tip in other characters referring to animals such as 魚 (fish), 亀 (turtle) or 兔 (rabbit). The body of the horn proper is depicted by . The derived meanings of ‘angle’ and ‘corner’ come from the 308

angular shape of the horns. It should be noted as well that the word ‘corner’ itself comes from the Latin word cornu, which, indeed, means ‘horn’.

触

触

ショク さわ.る ふ.れる

⽜

牛牜

Horn-like 角 antennas providing the sense of touch to insects ⾍

906

to touch

ギュウ うし

Animal head with horns

907

Ⓡ

cattle cow

The head of a horned bovid, seen from the front. The strokes

represent the horns, the head proper is depicted by

the vertical stroke 丨 and the ears by the horizontal line 一. This character can be used to designate any kind of cattle, but in modern Japanese most commonly refers to ‘cow’.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘cattle’

件

件

ケン

Person 亻 dealing with cattle 牛 case

309

908

牧

牧 特

特

ボク まき

Owner of cattle 牜 that is hit with a weapon 攵 shepherd Cattle 牜 that moves forward and

牲

910

works well 寺

トク

special セイ

牲

909

Cattle 牜 that is alive 生 offered in セイ

911

religious services sacrifice

半

半

912

Distributed cattle

ハン なか.ば

half

Distributed (八 ➝ 丷) cattle (牛 ➝

), pieces of beef that are

distributed among the people by previously cutting the animal in two halves. 913

伴

ハン バン

伴 ともな.う

ハン

Person 亻 going along his other half 半

to accompany

310

914

⽺

Ⓡ

羊 ⺶𦍌

sheep

ヨウ ひつじ

Auspicious

A sheep's head seen from the front. The upper part, 䒑, is a schematization of the curved horns (originally most sheep had horns). The horizontal stroke in the middle, 一, represents the ears. The lower horizontal stroke 一 represents the snout and the vertical stroke 丨 represents the thickness of the face of the sheep. When this graph appears as a component it can do so in the variant ⺶ or, more commonly, in the reduced version 𦍌. The sheep is considered within the compendium of Chinese characters as an auspicious symbol. It seems that sheep were one of the preferred animals in ancient China (Shang Dynasty) for the sacrifice to the gods in prospects of good crops and fortune.

Primitive version of the pictograph for ‘sheep’

美

ビ

美 うつく.しい

Big 大 auspicious sheep 𦍌

beautiful

311

915

916

着

着

➀ ➁ Sheepskin ⺶ over the head and eyes 目 チャク ➀ to wear ➀ き.る ➁ to arrive ➁ つ.く

NOTE With regard to the second definition, ‘to arrive’, it can be interpreted as an auspicious prediction (羊 ➝ 羊) that is fulfilled and appearing before the eyes, arriving to the material world.

詳

ヨウ

ショウ

Speech 言 that is auspicious 羊

詳 くわ.しい 群

群 羞

羞

accurate 918

クン

グン むら

Mouth and a stick 君 guiding the sheep 羊

flock 919

チュウ

シュウ

Hand gripping 丑 a sheep ⺶ tightly

embarrassment Water 氵 accumulated like flocks of

洋

洋

917

ヨウ

sheep 羊

ヨウ

ocean western

312

920

羨

羨

セン うらや.む

Person spitting 㳄 to another person’s auspicious 𦍌 endeavours to envy ヨウ

様

様

ヨウ さま

921

Wooden logs 木 used to allow sheep 𦍌 to cross the water 氺

922

manner Mr.

鮮

セン

Meal of fish 魚 and lamb 羊

鮮 あざ.やか 善

善

fresh 924

ゼン

Auspicious words

よ.い

goodness

Originally 譱 [羊誩], several sayings (言×2 ➝ 誩 ➝ become auspicious (羊), something unequivocally good.

膳

膳

セン

ゼン

923

Served meat 月 that is good 善 dining tray

313

) that

925

敬

敬

Hand hitting a barbarian

ケイ

926

Menacing

うやま.う

to show respect

Originally 𢿩 [𦲆攴], a hand with a weapon (攴 ➝ 攵) threatening or menacing a leaning (勹) person who is related to sheep (羊 ≈ 芉 ➝ 艹) and pledges clemency with his mouth (口) The person related to the sheep makes a reference to the Qiang (羌), an ethnic group that was the barbarian archenemy of the peoples of the Shang Dynasty and they were said to be sheep breeders. The character that designates this ethnic group is, in fact, 羌, which represents a person (人 ➝ ⼉) under a sheep (羊 ➝ 𦍌).

警

警 驚

927

ケイ

Menacing 敬 speech 言

ケイ

admonition 928

ケイ

Menacing 敬 horse 馬

キョウ

驚 おどろ.かす 鹿

鹿

to surprise 929

しか か

deer

Ⓡ

A deer, seen from the side. The antlers on the top have been reduced to 亠. The head has been shrunk into the “eye” component (目 ➝ 罒 ➝ ), the left part of 314

the body has become 丿, and the four legs are represented by 比.

麓

麓

ロク ふもと

Place with groves 林 where deer 鹿 live

930

foot of a mountain

麗

レイ

Deer with exuberant horns

麗

うるわしい

magnificent

931

A deer (鹿) with particularly large and tall antlers (丽), symbol of elegance and magnificence.

薦

セン

Deer among the plants

薦

すす.める

to encourage

932

A deer running (鹿 ➝ 廌) among the grass (艹), a game which hunt can be encouraged. The component for “deer” (鹿) changes in this character the original strokes depicting the legs (比) for the element 灬, which better evokes the rapid movement of the animal’s legs by means of an analogy to the lower element of the character for “horse” (馬).

慶

慶

Deer standing still

ケイ

933

jubilation

A deer that, after running (鹿 ➝ 廌 ➝ ), remains at rest with its feet still (夂), rejoicing at the jubilation caused by the state of 315

calmness, enhanced by the component for “heart” or “feeling” (心).

316

3 | ANIMAL MANIPULATION Another very important function that animals provide is the supply of fur. Ancient people, in order to keep themselves warm in winter, needed to ‘catch’ an animal modify it with two hands clothes or other elements.

⾪

隶, remove its ‘skin’

皮 and

革 to use it in the form of ‘leather’

934

Hand holding the tail of an animal

隶

Ⓡ

Catch

An outstretched hand (⺕ ≈ 又) catching an animal by its tail (毛 ➝ ➝ 氺).

皮

皮

ヒ かわ

Hand removing the skin of an animal

935

skin

An outstretched hand (又) tearing off the skin (丨) of an elongated animal (⼚), probably a snake.

披

披

Hand 扌 holding the removed skin of ヒ

ヒ

an animal 皮 exposure

317

936

破

破

ハ

Stone 石 used to tear off the skin of an ヒ

animal 皮

やぶ.る

波

波

937

to rip 938

Skin of the water

ハ なみ

wave

ヒ

The skin (皮) of water (水 ➝ 氵), in reference to the surface of the water and the phenomena that occur in it.

婆

婆

ハ

バ

⾰

革

939

Woman 女 carried away by waves 波 old woman

カク かわ

Two hands removing the skin of an animal

940

Ⓡ

leather modification

Originally 𠦶 [ 𦥑], two hands ((𦥑 ≈ ⼶) → ⼞) stretching the skin of an animal to modify it and make it more malleable. The animal is schematically depicted by the element , which shows the head (廿), the body (丨) and the legs (一).

318

靴

靴

カ

カ くつ

Leather 革 that gets transformed 化 shoes

319

941

4 | SILK PRODUCTION A very interesting aspect of animal manipulation is the production of silk by the use of silkworms. Silk has a very important role in ancient Chinese culture and trade. Through the components related to silk it is possible to observe the entire production process of the said element, because different characters are used to depict the selection of small silkworm ‘cocoons’ extraction of their very ‘dim’ fibers silk ‘threads’

幺, the

玄, and the elaboration of

糸. 942

⼳

Silk cocoon

幺

Ⓡ

A pair of hanging silk cocoons.

A silk cocoon

幼

943

ヨウ

Strength 力 given by a cocoon 幺 infancy

幼 おさな.い

320

楽

楽

➀ ガク ➁ ラク ➁

Instrument made of wood and threads that produce a clear sound

944

➀ music

たの.しい

➁ enjoyable

Originally 樂 [𢆶白木], a musical instrument made of wood (木) and several strings of silk (幺×2 ➝ ) that emit a clear (白) and harmonious sound, an ideogram associated with music in general and, by extension, to pleasure and enjoyment. ガク

薬

ヤク

薬

くすり

⽞

玄

Plants 艹 that are enjoyable 楽

945

medicine

ゲン

Tiny thread of silk coming out of a cocoon

946

dim

A small thread starting to come out (亠) out of a silk cocoon (幺), a hardly visible, somewhat dim element. 947

率

率

➀ リツ

Silk threads being twisted

➁ ソツ ➁

➀ ratio ➁ to lead

ひき.いる

321

A silk cocoon (ㄠ) from which separate threads ( ) get twisted in an incessant movement ( ) in order to form strong threads for the textile industry, suggesting the importance of taking into account the proportion or ratio of virgin yarn to be used.

幻

ゲン

幻

まぼろし

Thread hanging a silk cocoon

948

illusion

A barely visible thin thread hanging from a silk cocoon. The almost transparent color of the thread evokes the midpoint between the visible and the invisible, the real and the unreal, the world of illusions. This character has a morphosemantic structure similar to the character 玄 (dim). 949

𢆶

Several silk cocoons

Several silk cocoons in a row (幺×2).

幽

幽

Silk cocoons inside a mountain

ユウ

950

confinement

A figurative ideogram that pictographically places several silk buds (𢆶) in the middle of a mountain (山), evoking the idea of something small confined within something much larger, 322

suggesting the scene of an ancient sage spending long periods of seclusion and isolation in the mountain.

兹

兹

Plant strands coming out of cocoons

ジ

951

Flourishing

Originally 茲 [卄𢆶], a metaphorical representation of the breakage of the chrysalis of silkworms that have emerged from their cocoons (𢆶) as if they were flourishing like plants (艹 ➝ 䒑).

慈

滋

Flourishing 兹 heart 心

ジ

慈 いつく.しむ 滋

952

ジ

to be affectionate (to) ジ

ジ

Water 氵 making plants flourish 兹 exuberant ジ

磁

磁

953

Stone 石 with a flourish 兹 ジ

954

porcelain magnet 955

糸

シ

thread

糸

いと

Tiny

Small threads (小) coming out of silk cocoons (ㄠ). 323

Ⓡ

As a component sometimes this graph may adopt the meaning of ‘tiny’ by semantic association. 956

絶

ゼツ

Color 色 becoming tiny 糸

絶

た.える

to die out

統

トウ

Threads 糸 being set aside 充

統

す.べる

to supervise

絞

絞 紋

紋 細

コウ しぼ.る し.める

ジュウ

958 コウ

Threads 糸 being mingled 交 to squeeze モン

モン

サイ ほそ.い

957

959

Writings 文 made by threads 糸 coat of arms 960

Tiny 糸 skull 田

slender

細 こま.かい

324

絹

ケン

絹

きぬ

紺

紺

Threads 糸 coming out of the mouth 口 of

961

a meaty ⺝ insect

silk Plant threads 糸 that are tasty to the

962

カン

mouth 甘

コン

dark blue

NOTE This character refers to woad plants, used to make tea, which give an intense color to the water. Such a color would be in a rather dark green tone, but it should be noted that in East Asia, traditionally, the same term (青) is used to denote both green and blue colors.

給

キュウ

給

たま.う

級

級 緊

緊

Thread 糸 tying what has been talked ゴウ

between two mouths 合 to be bestowed

964

キュウ

キュウ

963

Hand reaching 及 a certain thread 糸 rank Thread 糸 being passed by an outstretched

キン

hand through the eye

tight

325

ケン

of a needle

965

繁

繁

ハン

緩

カン

緩

ゆる.い

紫

シ

966

Tiny 糸 sensibility 敏 overgrown

967

エン

Thread 糸 that caresses 爰 loose 968

シ

Threads 糸 left behind 此

紫 むらさき

purple

NOTE Most probably referring to an unintentionally mixed dyeing color, the blend of red and blue, discarded and left behind because it was not the color originally intended.

総

総

Thread 糸 figuratively tying public ソウ

ソウ

feelings 忩 overall キ

紀

紀

969

Thread 糸 tying what circulates 己 キ

throughout time chronicle

326

970

紳

紳

シン

シン

971

Linking threads 糸 that get expanded 申

sir

NOTE Referring to social network available to the noble gentry.

糾

糾 線

線

キュウ

キュウ

シュウ

終

お.わる

経

twist 973

セン

a fountain 泉 line

終

経

Threads 糸 getting intertwined

Thread 糸 of clear water coming out of セン

972

➀ ケイ ➁ キュウ ➀ へ.る

Threads 糸 tight and frozen like the ice

974

トウ

of the winter 冬 to finish Thread 糸 slit along the diameter of a

975

ケイ

piece of clay that is being worked on 圣 ➀ to lapse ➁ sutra [Buddhism]

NOTE Among the many ancient ceramic objects found throughout East Asia one can find several ornamental marks made by the pressure applied on it with different types of rope. It is this type of artisan object to which this character alludes. 327

976

素

ソ

Single thread 糸 of a lush plant 

素

ス

element

SPECIAL READING

純

純

素人 [しろうと]: amateur

トン

ジュン

977

Thread 糸 that is yet a sprout 屯 sheer

緒

ショ

緒

お

Thread 糸 on which an action is

978

シャ

performed 者 string 979

練

レン

Threads 糸 used to bind a backpack 東

練

ね.る

to elaborate

繕

ゼン

繕

つくろ.う

Thread 糸 tying something in a good ゼン

way 善 to mend

328

980

981

縄

ジョウ

Thread like a serpent

縄

なわ

rope

Originally [ 𦥑], two hands (𦥑) holding a serpent (⾍ ➝ ), manipulating it. The glyph later evolved into the form 黽 and then into . The character, thus alludes to a long, serpentine and malleable shape. Finally the component 糸 (thread) was added to reinforce the more concrete meaning of ‘rope’.

維

維

982

イ

Bird tied with a thread maintenance

A bird (⾫) whose legs are tied to a thread (糸) in order to be kept and prevent its flight.

縁

➀ エン

縁

➁ ふち

Thread tying a hog

983

➀ connection ➁ verge

A hand (⺕ ➝ 彐) tying a hog (豕) with a thread (糸) to keep it close.

系

系

984

ケイ

Binding made out of threads link

329

A knot (㇒) linking (糸) threads together. ケイ

係

➀ ➁ ケイ

係

➁ かかり

Person’s 亻 links 系

985

➀ correlation ➁ clerk

孫

➀ ➁ ソン

孫

➁ まご

Child that is linked

986

➀ descendants ➁ grandchild

Child or children (子) to whom one is linked (系).

県

縣県

987

ケン

Head hanging from a thread prefecture

A head turned upside down (首 ➝ 県) hanging from a knotted thread (系), scene indicating the display of a person punished with the death penalty, a symbol of dominance by force and, by extension, the symbol of a controlled territory: a prefecture. As a single character this glyph uses the abbreviated form 県.

懸

ケン

Feelings 心 that hang 縣

懸

ケ

suspension

ケン

330

988

索

索

Two hands pulling off a

989

thread

サク

search cord

Two hands (⼶ ➝ 冖) pulling threads (十小) from a silk cocoon (糸), either to search for its origin, or to form a cord.

显

显

990

Strands of silk being dried and shining under the sun

Originally 㬎 [日絲], several threads (糸×2 ➝ 𢇁 ➝ 业) drying and shining under the sunlight (日).

顕

顕

ケン

Thread-like hairs shining 显 over the head 頁

991

manifestation

湿

シツ

Water 氵 covering dried strands of silk 显

湿

しめ.る

wet

992

993

𤰔

Tied thoughts

Head (囟 ➝ 田) whose thoughts are bound and interrelated by a 331

knot of a figurative cord (十).

専

専

Hand working 寸 along tied thoughts 𤰔

994

speciality

セン

exclusive

恵

恵

ケイ エ

995

Heart tied to thoughts to bless

めぐ.む

Thoughts tied to (𤰔) feelings (心), or vice versa, indicating an optimal congruency and a sense of blessing.

穂

スイ

穂

ほ

Part of a prosperous plant 禾 that is blessed 恵

ear (of a plant)

332

996

REVIEW ON ANIMALS

卵⾍蜀属⿂再冓亀⾫雄焦集 奞 蒦⿃島⽻翟⾶⾮ 1

蚕蛮蚊蜂濁嘱漁講溝構携唯誰雅推 隻雌准堆催椎稚礁奪歓観勧権護穫 鳴鶏翌翼翁習躍曜濯俳悲排

⽝猟臭然黙類⾘貌貇求⾗㒸 隊亥象為⾺能虎虚虐兔⾓⽜ 半⽺善敬⿅麗薦慶 2

3

伏犯狭独獲獄嗅燃懇墾救豚墜骸該 劾核像偽駄駅駒験篤騒態熊虞慮触 件牧特牲伴美着詳群羞洋羨様鮮膳 警驚麓

隶⽪波⾰ 披破婆靴

333

幺楽⽞率幻𢆶幽兹⽷縄維縁 系孫県索显𤰔恵 4

幼薬慈滋磁絶統絞紋細絹紺給級緊 繁緩紫総紀紳糾線終経素純緒練繕 係懸顕湿専穂

334

THE MATERIAL REALM

335

THE MATERIAL REALM If we understand culture as the manifestation of the collective intellectual achievements of a society, we can find among the objects manufactured by man, one of the first cultural manifestations, and that is the topic the material realm is about. Artificial objects, made by men, vary greatly in form and complexity, and also in degree of appreciation and consideration. Such consideration is usually measured by the material in which the object in question is made. Objects made of wood or bamboo have a lesser consideration and are usually relegated to everyday use. On the other hand, metal objects—bronze in the period when Chinese characters were developed—were held in high esteem and were reserved for special uses. The consideration for the objects also depends on their functionality, since there are tools that are indispensable for the expansion of a domain or territory, such as counting tools, monetary tools and, above all, work tools. Also, vessels are especially important, since they were key in the various religious rituals of the Shang dynasty. Different types of objects, tools and vessels take prominence within Chinese characters and can be grouped within the material realm, which is divided into the following groups: Characters used to represent everyday objects, characters used to represent tools, and lastly, characters used to represent vessels.

EVERYDAY OBJECTS

1. Wooden Objects 2. Bamboo Objects 3. Cloths

TOOLS

VESSELS

1. Counting Tools 2. Monetary Tools 3. Work Tools 4. Nets and Baskets

1. Food and Drinking Vessels 2. Bags and Boxes 3. Plates and Trays 4. Boats

336

THE MATERIAL REALM AT A GLANCE EVERYDAY OBJECTS

TOOLS

337

VESSELS

EVERYDAY OBJECTS 1 | WOODEN OBJECTS One of the most basic materials for the production of everyday objects is wood, which is easy to obtain and malleable. The most basic wooden object is certainly the ‘stick’ 丂, because a stick can simply be a branch ripped from a tree. But in spite of their simplicity, sticks can be used to create very complex things, because if there is some ‘talent’ involved, with several upright sticks

才 even buildings can be erected. Common furniture such

as ‘stools’ ⼏ or tables 片 are also just elaborated big ‘pieces’ of wood. With small pieces of wood, on the other hand, it is possible to make kitchen utensils such as ‘ladles’ ‘pestles’

斗 and

午. But wood can, ‘moreover’, be elevated to the

spiritual realm, for with it ‘altars of sacrifice’ religious rituals were made.

丂

且 used in

997

Ⓡ

Stick

コウ

A slightly curved wooden stick. The upper stroke 一 represents the handle and the lower strokes ㇉ are a deformation of the stick as such.

338

号

号

998

コウ

ゴウ

朽

キュウ

朽

く.ちる

Words 口 made by a stick mark Tree 木 from which sticks

コウ

999

fall off

to decay 1000

考

考

コウ かんが. える

Old man with a walking stick

to ponder コウ

An old man (老 ➝ 耂) leaning on a walking wooden stick (

➝ ),

representing a stereotyped sage who devotes much of his time thinking and pondering. This graph is actually a cognate of the character 老 (old man), in which the walking stick is represented by the strokes 匕. The component 丂 (stick) was later added redundantly to the present character to differentiate it from the glyph previously mentioned.

拷

拷

コウ

ゴウ

1001

Hand 扌 making people ponder 考 torture

可

可

1002

Sticks and words

カ

able 339

Words (口) and sticks (

コウ

➝

) acting together, the power of

speech and the power of weapons, a symbol of the ability or complete capacity to act.

歌

歌 河

河 苛

苛

1003

カ

カ

Great ability 可×2 to exhale air 欠

うた.う

to sing 1004

カ

カ かわ

Water 氵 able to 可 run free waterway 1005

カ

カ

Plants 艹 able to 可 grow free torment

NOTE Originally it referred to the weeds that grow uncontrollably. Ultimately the meaning derived into anything uncontrollable that produces discomfort and torment.

何

何

カ なに なん

Person carrying a stick on his shoulder

1006

what

Originally 仃, a person (人 ➝ 亻) carrying a stick (

コウ

➝

) on his

shoulder, evoking the scene of someone who comes out, armed, behind the track of something or someone who has caught his attention and whose intention is to discover ‘what’ it is the thing that has aroused his interest. 340

Over time the character turned its original pictographic component カ

(stick) into the component 可 (able) due to its graphic and phonetic correspondence, giving rise to a possible ideographic association with the scene of a person (人 ➝ 亻) armed with a stick (丂 ➝ ) asking with his mouth (口) what has caught his attention.

荷

カ に

荷

Plants 艹 carried in a bundle tied to a

1007

カ

stick about which a mouth asks 何 load 1008

奇

キ

奇 Originally

Person on top of a stick unusual

, a person (大) on top of a stick (

コウ

➝

) balancing, a

somewhat unusual sight for the ancient man. Over time, in a process similar to that of the character 何 (what), this glyph saw its component

カ

(stick) transformed into 可 (able)

due to a phonetic association,

埼

埼

1009

さい

Earth formation 土 that is unusual 奇

PLACE NAME USAGE

promontory 埼玉 [さいたま]: Saitama

341

崎

崎 椅

椅

1010

さき

Mountain 山 that is unusual 奇 headland キ

イ

1011

Wooden object 木 that is unusual 奇 chair

NOTE Chairs were in fact a very rare object in ancient China and the rest of East Asia.

騎

騎

Horse 馬 controlled by a person on top

1012

キ

of it 奇

キ

horseman

才

才

Lifted sticks

1013

Upright

サイ

talent

Several wooden sticks (一㇒亅) placed vertically, upright on the ground, indicating the beginning of the construction of a building made of wood. The meaning of ‘talent’, if literally understood, refers to the much appreciated and necessary ability to erect buildings. This meaning can also be analyzed in a more metaphorical way, in the sense of the ‘talent’ required to raise—start—and maintain—continue—any kind of enterprise. In some compounds, the glyph 才 becomes 342

.

存

存

ソン ゾン

Upright

サイ

1014

child 子

existence 1015

在

ザン

在

あ.る

Standing upright

サイ

on the soil 土

to be at サイ

Wood 木 from which several sticks 才

材

材

1016

are obtained

ザイ

timber material 1017

Flaming flag attached to a pole

Ⓡ

An upright wooden stick (才 ➝ 方) to which a flag fluttering in the wind ( ) is attached.

施

シ セ

施 ほどこ.す

チ

Flags

1018

that are spread 也 to perform

NOTE It refers to the flags displayed in military campaigns, implicitly indicating the performance of military activities and conquests. 343

旅

旅

1019

リョ たび

People carrying a flag travel

Originally 𣃨 [ 从], several people (人×2 ➝ 从 ➝ 𧘇 ➝ ) carrying a flag fluttering in the wind ( ) on a military expedition. 1020

主

主

➀ ➁ シュ ➁ス ➀ おも ➁ ぬし

Wooden beam ➀ main ➁ lord

A beam (亠) made of wood (木 ➝ 土) supporting a roof. The meaning of this character comes from the structural function of beams, that of supporting the roofs under which people live. From this meaning derives both the notion of ‘main’—because beams are the main supporting element of roofs–; and that of ‘lord’, referring to the owner of a house, since it is the owner who ‘supports' the household.

シュ

住

ジュウ

Person 亻 under wooden beams 主

住

す.む

to dwell

344

1021

注

注 柱

柱 駐

駐

チュウ

Water 氵 seeping through wooden

1022

シュ

beams 主

そそ.ぐ

to pour Vertical tree 木 with an architectural

1023

シュ チュウ はしら function like that of a wooden beam 主 pillar

シュ

チュウ

⼏

几

1024

Horse 馬 under wooden beams 主 stop-over 1025

Stool

キ

A wooden stool in an upright position. The upper stroke 一 represents the seat and the lower strokes ⼉ the legs.

肌

肌

1026

はだ

Meat 月 on a stool ⼏ (human) skin

345

机

机

キ

キ つくえ

処

処

1027

Wooden object 木 similar to a stool 几 table 1028

ショ

Person sitting still on a stool

location

A person sitting on a stool (⼏) and staying still (夂) on it, implicitly pointing out the constant position in a certain place.

拠

拠

ショ

キョ コ

1029

Hand 扌 placed on a certain location 処

basis 1030

殿

殿

テン デン との どの

Person sitting on a high stool and holding a weapon palace

Originally 𣪍 [ ⽎], a person sitting (尸) on a stool of a height equivalent to two stools (⼏ 2 ➝

➝ 共)—a throne—and holding

a weapon (⽎), making a clear reference to a ruler or a king. The meaning of ‘king’ subsequently became that of the ‘residence of the king’ or ‘palace’.

346

片

片

1031

Table

ヘン かた

Ⓡ

piece

A table depicted vertically, made with several pieces of wood put together. The vertical stroke 丿 represents the surface, and the strokes of the right, 丄 and 𠃍, represent the legs.

状

版

Piece of wood 片 being pressed against

1032

ハン

反 paper

ハン

printing

丬

丬

1033

Table

ショウ

Pieces

Originally 爿, a table represented vertically, made with several pieces of wood. The vertical stroke 丨 depicts the surface, and the lateral strokes 冫 the legs. This component is simply a mirrored version of the glyph 片 (table), and as such its meaning can also refer to ‘pieces’. The inverted position of the graph serves to mark out a different phonetic value (ショウ).

347

状

状

ショウ

ジョウ

Animal 犬 being examined on a table 丬

state of things 1035

Two hands taking a piece

将

will

ショウ

将

1034

(a) general

Two hands grabbing (爪 ➝ 爫) and working (寸) with several ショウ

pieces of wood (丬), representing the ‘will’ to build something. The meaning of entrepreneurial will later went on to mean also ‘leadership’ and, finally, ‘leader’ or ‘general’.

奨

奨

ショウ

ショウ

⽧

1036

Big 大 will 将 urge 1037

Person lying on a bed

疒

Ⓡ

Illness

A table (丬) with a person on his back (匕 ➝ 亠) lying on it, representing convalescence and illness.

348

痕

痕 疫

疫

コン

コン あと

エキ ヤク

ソウ

痩

や.せる

療 瘍

瘍 疲

Illness 疒 that remains still 艮 scar 1039

痩

療

1038

Illness 疒 striking like a weapon ⽎ epidemic Illness 疒 burning a person like a torch

ソウ

to get thin Person lying on a bed 疒 next to a

リョウ

1040

1041

リョウ

bonfire 尞 cure Illness 疒 that makes skin shine like

ヨウ

1042

ヨウ

sun rays 昜 ulcer ヒ

ヒ

疲 つか.れる

Illness 疒 felt on the skin 皮 to get tired

349

1043

Hand holding a ladle

⽃

ト

斗

1044

Ⓡ

ladle unit of volume [~18 l]

Originally 𣁬, a ladle (

➝

) grasped by a hand (又 ➝ 𠂇 ➝ ㇀).

A bronze ladle from the Shang dynasty, called ‘dui’ (斗)

料

料 科

科 斜

斜

Rice 米 taken with a ladle 斗 リョウ

1045

foodstuff charge 1046

カ

シャ なな.め

Tree fruits 禾 taken with a ladle 斗 science Image of food remains 余 taken with a ladle 斗 slantwise

350

1047

勺

勺 A ladle (

1048

シャク

Ladle with food inside

➝ 勹) with food (丶) inside.

的

テキ

的

まと

White rice grains 白 to which a ladle シャク

勺 is directed aim

Thread 糸 tying a ladle with food

約

約

1049

1050

シャク

inside 勺

ヤク

promise approximately

NOTE In reference to the promise—binding—of food or salary in exchange for servitude or work.

升

升

ショウ ます

Hand holding a ladle with food inside

1051

unit of volume [~1.8 l]

A hand holding a ladle with food inside. This character has visibly suffered a major distortion of strokes. The strokes ㇀, 丿 and 丨 (勺 ➝ ) represent the ladle with

351

contents inside and the horizontal line 一 represents the outstretched hand (𠂇 ➝ 一).

昇

昇

ショウ

Hand rising a ladle with food inside ショウ

升 up to the mouth 曰

のぼ.る

与

与

1052

to rise

ヨ あた.える

Two hands giving a ladle with food inside to two receiving hands

1053

to give

Two hands delivering a ladle with food to two receiving hands. This character suffered an abrupt process of simplification. The original form of the character was 𦥸 [𦥑 ⼶], which is made up of two hands (𦥑 ≈ ⼶) holding a spoon with food inside turned upside down (勺 ➝ ) that is delivered to two other receiving hands (⼶). As a solo character, the graph was simplified into the form 与, in which only the inverted spoon ( ) and the two receiving hands (⼶ ➝ 一) are reflected. On the other hand, when the character acts as a component, it takes another simplification: 兴, in which the simplified giving hands can be seen in the form ⺍ (𦥑 ➝ ⺍), the inverted spoon is turned into a horizontal line 一 ( ➝ 一) and the two receiving hands have become the strokes ハ (⼶ ➝ ハ).

352

誉

誉

ヨ

ヨ

Speech 言 following givings

ほま.れ

挙

キョ

挙

あ.げる

串

串

1054

praise Hand 手 rising a giving

ヨ

1055

to elevate 1056

skewer

くし

A wooden skewer (丨) with several pieces of meat stuck in it (吕).

患

1057

カン

Heart 心 pierced by a skewer 串

患 わずら.う 午

午

to suffer 1058

Pestle

ゴ

noon

A primitive hammer-like big pestle made of wood, with the head represented by the strokes and the body by 丨, with the horizontal stroke 一 marking its thickness. The meaning of ‘noon’ is given because from ancient times this character was taken to indicate the double hour that goes from 11 am to 1 pm. The selection of this character for the time period may

353

be due to the relationship between noon time and cooking, for which the use of a mortar and pestle was often necessary.

Hammer-like pestle

許

許

キョ

Speech 言 accompanied by a strong

1059

ゴ

pounding of a pestle 午

ゆる.す

to permit 1060

⽸

缶

Mortar and pestle

カン

tin can

A pestle (午) on a mortar (凵). This pictogram was originally used to represent a mortar, but later it started to designate any type of food container and, finally, tin cans.

陶

陶

Leaning person 勹 making a tin 缶 out トウ

of the clay from the mountains阝 pottery

354

1061

䍃

䍃

1062

ヨウ

Hand hitting a mortar with a pestle

A hand grabbing (爪 ➝ 爫) a pestle (午) used to pounder the mortar (凵).

謡

謡 揺

揺

Speech 言 made along the rhythm of ヨウ ヨウ うたい the pounding of a mortar and pestle 䍃 chanting

ヨウ ゆ.れる

卸

卸

Hand 扌 pounding a mortar with a

1063

1064

ヨウ

pestle 䍃 to waver

おろし

Person using a mortar and a pestle

1065

wholesale

Originally 缷 [缶卩], a kneeling person (卩) grinding grain with a mortar and pestle (缶 ➝ ) in order to sell it wholesale. It is very likely that the transformation of the component 缶 into is due to a deliberate addition of the component 止 (to stop), to specify or emphasize that the grain has stopped being ground and is therefore being sold.

355

且

且

1066

ソ

Altar of sacrifice

か.つ

moreover

A small wooden altar (𠀃) with several shelves inside (二) used to deposit various sacrificial items. The meaning of ‘moreover’ derives from the fact that ancient Chinese religious practice always required, after consultations or requests to the gods, to perform, in addition (‘moreover’) to the rites and prayers, various sacrifices in order to please the gods and, thus, get good results.

助

1067

ソ

ジョ

Sacrifices 且 providing strength 力

助 たす.ける 阻

ソ

阻

はば.む

査

査

to assist Mountain range 阝 int he middle of

1068

ソ

altar of sacrifices 且 to thwart Wood 木 used in the making of an

1069

ソ

サ

altar of sacrifice 且 revision

NOTE It refers to the periodic review of the condition of the wood of a sacrificial altars to keep them always pristine for the gods.

356

租

租 粗

粗 狙

狙

Part of the prosperity 禾 given as a

1070

ソ

ソ

sacrifice 且 tariff

ソ

Rice 米 used in sacrifices 且

あら.い

coarse

ソ ねら.う

1071

ソ

1072

ソ

Animals 犭 used for sacrifices 且 to be after (something)

NOTE When the purpose of religious prayers was of considerable importance, the use of sacrificial animals was required. ソ

繕

ソ

組

く.む

Thread 糸 tying altars of sacrifice 且 together to assemble

357

1073

2 | BAMBOO OBJECTS Bamboo stems are used in East Asia as a resistant wood-like material. The most important bamboo objects of ancient China were undoubtedly the ‘books’ 冊, which were made in ancient times of bamboo strips tied to each other. From the layout of these bamboo books derives the traditional way of writing the Chinese characters from top to bottom and also their square proportion.

冊

冊

1074

Bamboo slips

サツ サク

volume of a book

Several bamboo strips, placed in an upright position and tied together, on which Chinese characters were written: a primitive form of the books of ancient China. The vertical lines 𦉫 represent the edges of the bamboo strips and the horizontal line 一 the string that holds them together.

Book made of bamboo slips

358

嗣

嗣 柵

柵

Words 口 deposited in a book 冊 by a

1075

シ

governor 司

ツ

heirdom Wooden 木 stakes arranged like

1076

サク

bamboo slips 冊

サク

palisade

侖

侖

1077

ロン

Someone talking through a book

A book (冊) used to convey a speech, a book that speaks to people (亼).

倫

倫 論

論

Person’s 亻 behavior talked about in a

1078

ロン

book 侖

リン

ethics ロン

ロン

Speech 言 based on books 侖 argument

359

1079

典

典

1080

テン

Two hands holding a book code

Two hands (⼶ ➝ ハ) holding and lifting a book (冊 ➝

) to show

what is written in it, meaning that it is a law or code that must be referred to.

傘

傘

1081

サン かさ

umbrella

An umbrella composed of a handle ( ), bamboo stripes (𠈌) and a sunshade ( ).

A woman with a bamboo umbrella

360

3 | CLOTHS The textile industry is one of the backbones of every sedentary society, since clothing is an indispensable tool for survival in certain climatologies. The existence of a large-scale textile production system has a direct impact on the economy and development of any society and it allows it to expand. One of the first textile manufacturing tools to be found in ancient societies is the loom with which ‘cloths’ are made are produced, any kind of ‘clothes’ made.

⼱

巾

キン

巾, and then, once fabric 衣 or ‘hats’

冃 can be

Threads hanging from a loom

1082

Ⓡ

cloth

Threads (丨) coming out of a loom (冂), a part of the textile production process.

Woman working with a thread hanging from a loom

361

帳

帳

1083

チョウ

Long 長 cloth 巾

チョウ

notebook

NOTE Initially it referred to a type of cloth that was hung in public places and had announcements or mandates written on it. 1084

スイ

帥

帥 幕

幕

Person leaving footprints スイ

and

carrying a cloth 巾 flag commander 1085

バク

バク マク

布

布

Cloth 巾 that hides 莫 things curtain

フ ぬの

1086

Hand holding threads coming out of a loom fabric

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) working with the threads that come out of a loom while creating fabrics (巾).

怖

怖

フ

フ

Heart 忄 squeezed like a piece of fabric 布

こわ.い

fearful

362

1087

希

希

Fabric with visible interweaving

キ

1088

exceptional

A cross (㐅) woven fabric (布), a fine and presumably high quality fabric, an exceptional one. 1089

帛

White fabric

帛 A piece of white (白) fabric (巾).

綿

綿

1090

メン わた

帚

Threads 糸 that make a white fabric 帛

cotton 1091

Hand holding a broom

A cloth (巾) attached to handle (冖) that can be held by an outstretched hand ((⺕ ➝ ) ≈ 又). A representation of a rudimentary broom.

婦

婦

1092

フ

Woman 女 holding a broom lady

363

掃

掃

1093

ソウ

Hand 扌 handling a broom

は.く

敝

敝

to sweep 1094

ヘイ

Cloth beaten with a club Rags

Cloths (巾) that have been beaten with a club (攵) and therefore have been torn and become rags. The worn-out state of the cloths (巾), which have been drilled with holes ( ).

弊

弊 蔽

ヘイ

1095

ヘイ

1096

Cloths turned into rags 敝 by two ヘイ

hands ⼶ breakage Plants 艹 that are ragged 敝 and used

ヘイ

as camouflage cover ヘイ

幣

幣

Ragged 敝 cloths 巾 ヘイ

1097

cash shinto paper streamers

NOTE This character originally referred to any kind of worn-out or ragged cloth, then it started to implicitly denote cloths worn out by some type of writing made in it. After that, ‘ragged cloths’ 364

started to be associated also with ragged paper and, finally, the sinogram adopted both the meaning of ‘cash’ (as paper money), and that of ‘paper streamers’ used specifically in the offerings of the Japanese Shinto religion.

Shinto streamer, called ‘shide’ (紙垂), folded in the traditional way

爾

爾尓

ジ

Cloths being embroidered on a loom

1098

㊔

thou

Threads of cloth hanging from a loom (巾) with an advanced mechanism (丅) capable of distributing (八 ➝ ハ) those threads and intertwining them (㸚) in different ways so that the new fabric shows different patterns and embroidery. In some compounds this character adopts the simplified version 尓.

称

称

ショウ

Prosperous 禾 products that are embroidered 尓

1099

reputation appellation

NOTE This glyph was originally associated with the meaning of reputation or renown, since some precious object is something of renown, something whose name is known by many people or, as 365

the English expression goes, something that has its name in lights. This notion of reputation associated with name made the meaning of the ideogram finally derive into the more prosaic concept of ‘naming’ or ‘appellation’.

繭

繭

ケン まゆ

Threads spun by insects among the plants from which cloths can be made

1100

cocoon

A natural container made by threads (糸) formed with the saliva of an insect (⾍) that is found among plants (艹) and from which the material to produce fabrics (巾 ➝ ) can be extracted.

衣

衣 衤

1101

garment

イ ころも

Ⓡ

clothes

Originally 𠅃, a top garment with an open collar (亠), sleeves and a junction in the chest area (从 ➝ 𧘇). When this character acts as a component it can take, in addition to the standard form 衣, two additional forms: The simplification 衤 when the component is placed to the left, or the distortion , which separates the parts 亠 and 𧘇 to leave a space in the center where a new component is placed.

366

Traditional Chinese garment

依

依 褒

褒 褐

褐

1102

イ

イ エ

Person 亻 and his clothes 衣 reliant 1103

ホ

ホウ

Clothes

used for protection 保

ほ.める

カツ

to extol Clothes 衤 that look threatening

1104 カツ

brown

NOTE Brown clothes are here understood as dirty and worn-out clothes, clothes worn by someone who can be intimidating or threatening.

袖

袖

ショウ そで

Part of a garment 衤 often reaching the ユウ

mouth 由 sleeve

367

1105

ヒ

被

Clothes 衤 on the skin 皮

➀➁ヒ ➁

1106

➀ quilt

被 こうむ.る

➁ to endure 1107

表

表

Fur on a garment

➀➁ ヒョウ

➀ surface

➀ おもて ➂

➁ chart ➂ to display

あらわ.す モウ

Originally 𧘝 [ 毛], the fur (毛 ➝ ) that is left visible on a fur garment (衣 ➝ 𧘇), the ‘surface’ of it.

俵

俵

ヒョウ たわら

Person 亻 looking like if he was

1108

ヒョウ

wearing garments full o fur 表 straw bag

NOTE It is the image of a man carrying a bale of straw on his back, making him look like a hairy beast.

People carrying straw bags on their backs

368

1109

カイ

Crying baby covered in clothes

Originally 褱 [ ], clothes (衣 ➝ ➝ ) covering a baby with watery (水 ➝ 氺 ➝ ➝ 亠) eyes (目 ➝ 罒).

Feelings 忄 caused by a crying baby

懐

懐 壊

壊

1110

➀ カイ covered in clothes カイ leaning on the ➀ なつ.かしい bust ➁ ➀ dear ふところ ➁ bust 1111

カイ

Soil 土 left with babies crying

こわ.す

衰

衰

カイ

to destroy スイ おとろ. える

1112

Clothes made of bamboo to weaken

Originally 𧜸 [ ], clothes (衣 ➝ ) made of bamboo (竹 ≈ ➝ ), in reference to a kind of raincoat made with bamboo strips (簑), which was characterized by rapid deterioration.

369

Representation of the deity Saonetsuhiko wearing a bamboo raincoat

1113

卒

卒卆 SPECIAL READING

ソツ

Garment tied with a belt finish

何卒 [なにとぞ]: please

A top garment (𠅃 ← 衣) tied at the bottom with a belt (十), the garment finally worn and fitted, indicating the end or ‘finishing’ of the dressing process. When this character acts as a component it takes the simplified form 卆.

Traditional Chinese garment tied with a belt

370

砕

砕 枠

枠 粋

粋

ソツ

サイ

Stone 石 finished 卆 in pieces

くだ.く

to smash

1114

1115

わく

スイ いき

Wood structure 木 that is finished 卆 frame Rice 米 whose elaboration process is

1116

ソツ

finished 卆 refined

雑

雑

1117

ザツ ゾウ

Clothes made of bamboo miscellaneous シュウ

Originally 襍 [衤集], a gathering (集) of different clothes (衣 ➝ 衤) combined. This character finally took, over time, the variant 雜 [𠅃 木⾫], in which the element for “clothing” (衤 = 衣) becomes 𠅃— as in the character 卒 (finish)—and the element for “collection” (集) is divided into two parts (木⾫). Eventually, this form of the character was simplified into the current glyph 雑, where the element 𠅃 has became 九.

乍

乍

1118

Folded clothes

サ

371

The pointed fold of the collar of a top garment, the place where the two wrapping parts meet. Although the contemporary form of the character diverges a lot from the original pictogram, in the strokes one can see the pointed edge of the collar, and in the strokes lining.

its inner decorative

Collar of a traditional Chinese garment

サ

作

作 詐

詐

サ サク

Person 亻 folding clothes 乍 that have

つく.る

been just made to make Speech 言 made while covering the

サ

昨

1120

サ

mouth with one’s folded clothes 乍 deception サ

昨

1119

Sun 日 covered with folded clothes 乍 サク

SPECIAL READING

yesterday previous 昨日 [きのう]: yesterday

372

1121

1122

冃

Hat

A kind of traditional hat whose brim descends slightly towards the eyes. This character currently adopts the squashed form compounds and is placed on top of them.

in the

1123

冒

ボウ

Hat covering the eyes

冒

おか.す

to risk

The brim of a hat (冃 ➝ ) completely covering the eyes (目), hindering visibility and putting the person at risk.

帽

帽

ボウ

ボウ

曼

曼

1124

Cloth 巾 worn over the eyes 冒 headgear

1125

マン

Hand putting a cover over the eyes

An outstretched hand (又) covering the eyes (目) with a hat (冃 ➝ ).

373

慢

慢 漫

漫

1126

マン

Feelings 忄 being covered 曼

マン

ridicule マン

1127

Uncontrolled fluids 氵 being covered 曼

マン

unrestrained 1128

最

サイ

Hand taking off a hat

最

もっと.も

utmost

シュ

A hand taking (取 ➝

) a hat (冃 ➝

) off the field of vision of the

eyes, thus allowing the utmost clairvoyance.

撮

サツ

撮

と.る

Hand 扌 taking off a cover over the サイ

eyes and ears 最 to take pictures

374

1129

REVIEW ON EVERYDAY OBJECTS

丂考可何奇才㫃旅主⼏処殿 ⽚丬将疒⽃勺升与串午⽸䍃 卸且 1

2

号朽拷歌河苛荷埼崎椅騎存在材施 住注柱駐肌机拠殿版状奨痕疫痩療 瘍疲料科斜的約昇誉挙患許陶謡揺 助阻査租粗狙組

冊侖典傘 嗣柵倫論

3

⼱布希帛帚敝爾繭⾐表 衰卒 雑乍冃冒曼最 帳帥幕怖綿婦掃弊蔽幣称依褒褐袖 被俵懐壊砕枠粋作詐昨帽慢漫撮 375

TOOLS 1 | COUNTING TOOLS The prosperity of a given society is directly determined by its technological development, for which a series of tools is vital. Among those tools there are abstract counting tools, which lay the foundations for any kind of calculation that would become indispensable to develop more advanced technologies. The first counting tools that appeared in the Yellow Valley were a kind of counting rods. If those rods were placed horizontally

一, they

indicated the ‘units’, and if they were placed vertically indicated the ‘tens’.

十, they

1130

イチ イツ

⼀

一

Counting rod

Ⓡ

one

ひと.つ

❶ 一人 [ひとり]: one person ／ ❷ 一日 [ついたち]: first day of the month ／ ❸ 一昨日 [おととい]: the day before yesterday SPECIAL READINGS

A counting rod, such as those of the positional numeral system that was used for counting in ancient China, where each rod represented a unit.

376

百

百

1131

Clearer counting rod

ヒャク

hundred

A counting rod (一) that has its positional value multiplied to represent a larger amount, an amount that, being larger, is more ヒャク

“clear” (白). 1132

⼆

ニ

Two counting rods

二

ふた.つ

two

SPECIAL READING

二人 [ふたり]: two people

Two counting rods (一×2) representing two units.

仁

仁

ジン ニ

Characteristic of the people 亻 shared

1133

ニ

between two of them to 二 humanity 1134

三

サン

Three counting rods

三

み.つ

three

Three counting rods (一×3) representing three units.

377

1135

⼗

十

Ⓡ

ジッ ジュウ と とお

SPECIAL READING

Thick rod ten

二十日 [はつか]: twentieth day of the

month Originally 丨, a counting rod placed vertically, placed perpendicularly to the horizontal rod representing the units (一), in order to show the end of the units’ positional value and the beginning of the tens. In one of the rod numeral systems used in ancient Asia, the units were represented as follows: 𝍠 (1), 𝍡 (2), 𝍢 (3), 𝍣 (4), 𝍤 (5), 𝍥 (6), 𝍦 (7), 𝍧 (8), 𝍨 (9); and the start of the tens was represented by the change of orientation of the counting rod: 𝍩 (10), 𝍩𝍠 (11), 𝍩𝍡 (12), etc. Over time the transcription of the vertical counting rod for the tens (丨), began to be written with greater thickness than the horizontal rod, probably to reinforce the new singularity of the tens and the concept of ‘ten’ as an independent number or quantity rather than just a positional value. The thickness of the vertical line finally, as in so many other characters, became linearized with the addition of a horizontal line (一). This concept of ‘thick rod’ is adopted by some compounds in which this glyph appears as a component.

378

計

計

ケイ

Sayings 言 about results given by thick counting rods 十

はか.る

to measure

SPECIAL READING

協

協

時計 [とけい]: clock キョウ

キョウ

汁 準

準

ジュウ しる

1137

Ten 十 arms acting together 劦 cooperation ジュウ

汁

1136

Fluid 氵 prepared with a thick rod 十

1138

soup juice Water 氵 level at a depth of a thick rod 十

ジュン

1139

in which a bird ⾫ can touch the bottom

level 1140

千

セン

Ten people reproducing

千

ち

thousand

A person (人 → 亻) crossed by a horizontal line that forms the character for “ten” (十). It is very likely that this glyph is a modification of the character 人 (person) adapted to mean ‘thousand’ through a phonetic borrowing. 379

In any case, it can be interpreted ideogrammatically by using the concept of multiplicity and associating it with that of reproduction, insofar as an initial group of ten people can end up becoming a clan or tribe of a thousand people.

年

年

1141

Fruits reproducing

ネン とし

year

Originally 秊 [禾十], a thousand (千) fruits (禾), or a large quantity of fruit being reproduced over time, in reference to the annual harvest and planting cycles. This character has been considerably simplified over time and its original strokes have become intermingled. First, the two upper strokes of the component 禾 became the element and then the lower oblique lines of 禾 became a straight, united line, thus giving rise to the form . Later, that form was simplified into —with the center line shortened–, and finally it developed into the current form 年, in which the central line has ended up in a vertical position to facilitate the fluidity of writing between strokes.

古

古

コ ふる.い

Words passing through ten mouths

1142

old

Words that have gone through ten (十) mouths (口), words that have been repeated many times since olden times, words that speak of something old.

380

克

克 故

故

コ

Person ⼉ that is old 古

コク

overcoming 1144

コ

コ ゆえ

1143

Old times 古 coming as a blow 攵 happenstance

NOTE A reference to indirect causality, in the sense that past actions affect present events. 1145

湖

湖

コ

コ みずうみ

Water 氵 that is an old 古 body 月 lake コ

苦

ク にが.い

Plants 艹 that are old 古 bitter

苦 くる.しい 枯

枯

painful コ

コ

Tree 木 becoming old 古

か.れる

to wither

居

居

1146

キョ い.る

Person sitting on a place since an old time to stay 381

1147

1148

コ

A person sitting (尸) in the same place since old times (古), a person who stays in a certain place.

据

据 裾

裾

1149

す.える

Hand 扌 making something stay 居 to set 1150

すそ

支

支

Part of the clothes 衤 that stays put 居 hem

シ ささ.える

Outstretched hand holding onto a thick rod

1151

to sustain

An outstretched hand (又) holding a thick wooden rod or stick (十), evoking the image of a hand holding onto the branch of a tree.

伎

伎

1152

シ

キ

Person 亻 sustaining 支 herself skill シ

肢

肢

Body part 月 that sustains 支 itself シ

onto the trunk as branches limb

382

1153

技

技 岐

岐 枝

枝

1154

シ

ギ わざ

Hand 扌 sustaining 支 a person ability Branches protruding from a mountain

キ

1155

シ

山 which a hand can be held on 支 ramification シ

シ えだ

Part of a tree 木 held by a hand 支 branch

383

1156

2 | MONETARY TOOLS An accumulation of all kinds of tools and everyday objects at the end of the day is subjected to trade and exchange between different members of society. When the volume of trade and commerce begins to be large, the implementation of a monetary system that facilitates transactions is necessary. One of the first coins to be used in ancient China was cowrie ‘shells’ 貝, as they were imitation proof and a scarce object and, therefore, valuable. Another type of valuable and sought-after objects were those made of jade, such as ‘jade discs’, that were kept together in strings 玉, revealing a symbol of economic power.

貝

貝

1157

seashell

バイ かい

Ⓡ

Money

A cowrie shell. The upper contour ⼞ represent the exterior body of the shell, while the two central lines (二) and the two lower strokes (ハ) represent the inner marks of the shell. Cowrie shells were used in remote antiquity, at least among the elite, as currency, and it was customary to tie several of these seashells to a rope to facilitate transactions. It is from this monetary use of cowrie shells that the meaning of ‘money’, used by this character when acting as a component, comes from.

384

Specimen of cowrie shell

資

資 貨

貨 賛

賛 唄

唄 貪

1158

ツ

シ

Sequence 次 of money 貝 assets カ

カ

1159

Transformed 化 money 貝 goods 1160

サン

Two adults 夫×2 exchanging money 貝

approval 1161

うた

Words 口 turned into money 貝 ballad 1162

ドン

Instant 今 need for money 貝

貪 むさば.る

to covet

385

賄

1163

ワイ

Money 貝 taken for meat 有

賄 まかな.う 賢

ケン

to bribe

Delicately

賢 かしこ.い 敗

賀 貼

貼

earned money 貝

intelligent 1165

バイ

ハイ

Money 貝 that has been blown 攵

敗 やぶ.れる 賀

1164

ケン

to fail 1166

カ

ガ

Added 加 money 貝 congratulations 1167

チョウ は.る

Seashells 貝 used in divination 占 rituals

to paste

NOTE In reference to cowrie shells that were ornamentally pasted into different objects or garments for religious rituals.

販

販

ハン

ハン

Money 貝 going in opposite directions 反

sale

386

1168

賭

購

購 財

財

1169

ト

Money 貝 acting 者

か.ける

to bet コウ

コウ

Money 貝 that has been trapped 冓 purchase サイ

ザイ サイ

桜

桜

1170

1171

Money 貝 earned with talent 才 wealth

オウ さくら

Blooming feminine tree

1172

cherry tree (Prunus serrulata)

Originally 櫻 [木賏女], a tree (木) whose fruits are feminine as women (女) and its bloom is plentiful as the riches of money (貝 ×2 ➝ 賏 ➝ ⺍).

貴

貴

Two hands holding a person with money とうと.い

1173

キ

たっと.い

valuable

Originally 䝿 [臾貝], two hands grabbing a person (臾 ➝ ) that has money (貝): An ideographic representation of value beheld by money.

387

潰

キ

カイ

Water 氵 swallowing valuable things 貴

潰 つぶ.れる 負

負

1174

to be crushed フ

Person carrying money

1175

お.う ➀ to carry on one's back ま.ける ➁ to lose

A leaning person (勹 ➝ ⺈) carrying a sum of money (貝) on his back as a burden, referring to debt money that has to be returned, so to say, money that is eventually lost.

賁

賁

1176

Abundant money

フン

Abundantly

Cowrie shells (貝) growing in plenty as abundant plants (卉).

憤

フン

フン

憤 いきどお.る 噴

噴

1177

Feelings 忄 arousing abundantly 賁 to be enraged フン

フン

Words 口 arousing abundantly 賁

ふ.く

to spout

388

1178

墳

墳

フン

フン

1179

Earth 土 accumulated abundantly 賁 tumulus

貫

カン

貫

つらぬ.く

Thread going through a seashell

1180

to go through

A knot (十) made at the end of a rope that goes through holes (⼞) made on cowrie shells (貝) that are tied together in a string. Since ancient times it was common in East Asia to tie together several seashells in strings in order to facilitate monetary transactions requiring large amounts of shells. Later, currency evolved from cowrie shells to coins made of copper or other metals that, however, maintained the faculty of being able to be bound in strings, since they were made with a hole in their middle in order to let pass a string through it.

String of Chinese coins

慣

カン

慣

な.れる

Feeling 忄 of having money kept

カン

together through a string of coins 貫

to get used to 389

1181

⽟

玉𤣩

String of jade disks ➀➁ ギョク

➀ jade

1182

Ⓡ 玉

➁ jewel

➂ たま

➂ sphere A string of three jade discs (王) bound with a rope topped with a knot (丶). In ancient China jade was an element of luxury profusely used in various ritual objects. Some of the most important among those objects were a kind of flat discs called bi (璧), which had a hole in the middle and presumably symbolized heaven. This type of jade disc, the bi, eventually went on to designate ‘jade’ in general and, more recently, ‘jewels’ and precious stones. From the circular shape of the bi derives, in turn, the meaning of ‘sphere’. When this character acts as a component and is placed to the left of the compounds, it takes the form 𤣩, which drops the dot 丶.

Ornamented jade disk, called ‘bi’ (璧)

390

珍

チン

珍

めずら. しい

現

ゲン

現 珠

珠 球

球

あらわ. れる

1183

チン

Jewel 𤣩 that is aged 㐱 rare ケン

Jewel 𤣩 that can be seen 見 to be revealed

シュ

シュ

1184

1185

Jewel 𤣩 of a scarlet color 朱 gem

キュウ

キュウ たま

1186

Jewel 𤣩 being sought after 求 ball

NOTE A jewel with a round shape, evoking purity.

璽

璽

ジ

ジ

1187

Embroidered 爾 jade 玉 imperial seal

NOTE It refers to the seals or sigils used by the emperor or other government agencies, whose handle was made of jade and had inscriptions and carvings that recall the embroidery on clothing.

391

The turtle-shaped handle of a seal

玨

玨

The seal proper

1188

Several jewels

ハン

Several jewels strings (玉×2 ➝ 𤤴 ➝ 珏 ➝ 玨).

斑

斑

ハン

ハン

Several jewels 玨 full of writings 文 mottled キン

琴

琴

キン こと

1189

1190

Contained words 今 transformed into jewels 玨 Asian zither

NOTE Called guqin (古琴) in Chinese and koto in Japanese, a percussive string instrument whose sound, designed to accompany the words of poems, was supposed to be as delicate as jewels.

392

Woman playing the koto

全

全

ゼン

String of jewels tied with a tight knot

すべ.て

1191

completely

まった.く

whole

A string of jewels (玉 ➝ 王) tightly tied at its tip with a rope ( ), a string of jewelry completely sealed, making with the parts a whole entity. The dot 丶 of the component 玉 (jewel), which originally represented a small knot, disappears here because the strokes now represent a larger knot.

Strings of jade jewels from Shang dynasty China, called ‘peiyu' (佩玉)

393

詮

栓

栓

ゼン

セン

1192

Speech 言 analyzed as a whole 全 inquiry Wooden piece 木 acting as a knot

1193

ゼン

tying something 全

セン

stopper

朋

朋

ホウ

Several strings of jewelry tied together

1194

㊔

companions

Several strings of jade discs (玨) hanging from the same rope (⺆), a pictographic representation that gave rise to the graph and later to the current form 朋, whose compositional elements, in spite of their graphic similarity, have nothing to do etymologically with the components 月 (moon) or 肉 (meat). ホウ

崩

ホウ

崩

くず.す

棚

棚

Several pieces of jewel 朋 falling down

1195

from a mountain 山 to pull down Wood 木 furniture made for storing

たな

jewelry 朋 shelf

394

1196

3 | WORK TOOLS One of the characteristics of social expansion is the settlements of people, which are produced thanks to the development of the domestication of plants and animals or, in other words, livestock 395

and agriculture. To carry out such development it is necessary to have a series of work tools for daily use, such as the ‘hoe’

工,

that tills the field, or the ‘nails’ 丁, that fixes building structures. Once a great degree of domestication of certain animals has been achieved, they can be used to help with agricultural tasks, and for this purpose there are tools that facilitate the handling of those animals, such as the ‘yoke’ for a single head

丙, or that of ‘two’

heads 両. In an even more advanced state of technological development this element can also be used for transport, joining it to a cart pulled by wheels and thus forming a ‘chariot’

⼯

工

車.

1197

A hoe

ク コウ

craft

A multi-purpose tool with a handle on top (一), a trunk (丨) and a metal blade (一) used to dig or strike: A hoe, parallel to physical work activity, or ‘craft’.

Blade of a hoe from ancient China

396

コウ

項

項 攻

攻 功

功 巧

巧 江

江 虹

虹

Hoe’s 工 head 頁 コウ

1198

nape of neck item 1199

コウ

コウ

Hoe 工 hitting something 攵

せ.める

to attack 1200

コウ

コウ ク

Hoe 工 used by a strong arm 力 success コウ

コウ たく.み

コウ え

コウ

1201

Hoe 工 and stick craftsmanship Water 氵 passing through a furrow

1202

コウ

dug with a hoe 工 creek

Flying serpent ⾍ that creeps into the にじ

1203

ground like a hoe 工 digging a furrow rainbow

NOTE It is very likely that the neolithic Chinese society identified the rainbow with a mythological snakelike creature—the 397

rainbow serpent—as many other cultures throughout the world do and have done.

差

差 紅

紅

➀サ ➁ さ.す

コウ ク くれない

Auspicious ⺶ work of a hoe 工

1204

➀ distinction ➁ to be noticeable 1205

コウ

Thread 糸 dyed as a craft 工 crimson 1206

貢

貢

コウ ク みつ.ぐ

巩

コウ

Money 貝 in exchange for craft 工 to pay a tribute 1207

Person working with a hoe

A person working with his hands (丮 ➝ 卂) while using a hoe.

恐

恐

キョウ おそ.れる

Feelings 心 caused by a person handling a hoe 巩 dreadful

398

1208

築

築

チク きず.く

左

左

Person working with a hoe 巩, bamboo ⺮ and wood 木

1209

to construct 1210

サ ひだり

Hand helping with work left hand side

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇) serving as an aid in the manipulation of a hoe (工).

佐

佐 惰

惰

サ

サ

1211

Person 亻 assisting like the left hand 左

assistant Feelings 忄 in a body 月 that has to

1212

サ

help with work 左

ダ

laziness

尋

尋

ジン

Hands and mouth working

1213

into something

たず.ねる

to inquire

Two hands working (寸 + ((⺕ ≈ 又) ➝ )) with a metaphorical work tool or hoe (工) while pronouncing words (口): Inquiry into a matter through questions and exhaustive work.

399

展

展

テン

Sitting person displaying hoes on top of some clothes

1214

exhibition

Originally 㞡 [尸 㠭𧘇], a sitting person (尸) exhibiting a handful of hoes (工×4 ➝ 㠭 ➝ ) on top of some clothes (衣 ➝ 𧘇).

㐮

ジョウ

Two hands extracting hoes from a bag

1215

Work in the field Two hands (⼶ ➝ ハ) taking out a bunch of hoes (工×4 ➝ 㠭 ➝ 𠀎) from some clothes (衣 ➝ ) that act as a bag, in reference to the preparation for an agricultural activity or work in the field.

嬢

嬢 譲

譲 壌

壌

ジョウ

ジョウ ゆず.る

Woman 女 that helps in the field

ジョウ

girl Speech 言 related to the work to be done in the field

1217

ジョウ

to assign 1218

ジョウ

ジョウ

1216

Soil 土 where field work land lot 400

is done

壬

壬

1219

Thick and heavy hoe

ニン

㊔

Originally , a hoe (工) with a thick trunk. The thickness of the handle is shown in the contemporary graph, as in so many other characters, with a horizontal line (一). The upper stroke of the glyph, 一, was later tilted to differentiate 1648

this component from the character 王 (king).

妊

妊 淫

Woman 女 that has become thick and

1220

ニン

heavy 壬

ニン

pregnancy

イン

Water-soaked 氵 hand grabbing 爪 a

1221

ニン

thick and heavy hoe 壬

みだ.ら

lewd

NOTE It seems that this character initially alluded to the abundant sweat caused by excessively hard work. Eventually the notion of ‘sweat’ would begin to be associated with sex and lewdness.

任

任

ニン まか.せる

Person with a thick and heavy hoe to give responsibility

401

1222

ニン

A person (人 ➝ 亻) with a thick and heavy hoe (壬), with the responsibility to work with it in spite of himself. 1223

ニン

賃

チン

賃

巨

巨

Responsibility 任 concerning money 貝

fee

キョ

Person measuring something in the distance with a hoe

1224

huge

Representation of a person holding with his hand ((⺕ ≈ 又) ➝ コウ

)

a hoe (工 ➝ 匚) that he uses to measure, in the distance and in a comparative way, an object or element that despite its ‘huge’ original size seems equivalent to that of the hoe, as when a person makes the gesture of catching the moon with his fingers. Over time, the original component for the person (大) disappeared and the glyph was left depicting just a hoe (工 ➝ 匚) being held by a hand (⺕ ➝ ).

Bare hand 扌 in comparison as a hand

拒

拒

キョ

キョ

holding a hoe 巨 at the time of

こば.む

measuring something to refuse

402

1225

距

距

Something that can be measured by feet

1226

キョ

キョ

足 or by a hand holding a hoe 巨 distance

丁

丁

1227

Nail

チョウ テイ

block

A stick (亅) with a thicker part on top (一), a tool that serves to fix other elements: a nail. The meaning of ‘block’ that this character takes when acting as a standalone is given by the functionality nails have to join together in block pieces that were previously loose.

頂

チョウ

Nail’s 丁 head 頁

頂 いただ.く 訂

訂

1228

チョウ

top テイ

テイ

1229

Speech 言 fixed by nails 丁 correction テイ

打

ダ

Hand 扌 hitting a nailhead 丁

打

う.つ

to hit

403

1230

灯

灯

テイ

Nailed down 丁 fire 火

トウ ひ

丙

丙

1231

lamp 1232

Single yoke

ヘイ

3rd

A yoke designed for a single animal, with its crossbar (一) and an undulation below it (内) that is adapted to the shape of the necks of the cattle. This character, when appearing as a standalone, takes on the meaning of ‘third in rank’, meaning that originates from the Sinitic ordinal system known as Heavenly Stems (天干), wherein ten concrete primitive characters are used to designate different ordinal positions, among which 丙 takes the third one, after 甲 (コウ) and 乙 (ヘイ). The adoption of this grapheme to denote ‘third’ may be due to the fact that a single yoke can be considered as bad or ‘third’ tier compared to the more common double yoke.

Yoke for a single head

404

ヘイ

柄

柄

➀ ヘイ ➀ がら ➁え

Wood 木 with which a single yoke 丙

1233

is made ➀ body build ➁ grip 1234

病

➀➁ ビョウ ➀➁ ヘイ

ヘイ

Illness 疒 weighing like a yoke 丙 ➀ sickness

病 ➀ やまい

➁ to fall sick

➁ や.む 1235

Single yoke being fixed

更

更

➀ コウ ➁ さら ➂ ふ.ける

➀ renewal ➁ moreover ➂ to get late

Originally 㪅 [丙攴], a single head yoke being fixed and renewed by a hand holding a tool (攴 ≈ 攵), implying that it can be used for a longer time. The middle strokes of the original glyph (⺊ + 内), by means of a process of simplification, finally ended up merging into the form 申.

405

便

便 硬

硬 梗

➀ ➁ ビン ➀ ベン ➁ たよ.り

1236

Person 亻 getting renewed 更 ➀ convenience ➁ letter

1237

コウ

コウ

Stone 石 that is renewed 更

かた.い

hard コウ

コウ

両

両

1238

Tree-like 木 element that looks renewed 更

flower stalk 1239

Double yoke

リョウ

both

Originally 兩, a double yoke, with room for two animal heads. In a process of simplification, the middle lines depicting the undulations (从) of the yoke ended up becoming the element 凵.

Yoke for two heads

406

満

満

➀ ➁ マン ➀ み.たす ➁ み.ちる

Oxen held by a yoke and drinking water ➀ to fulfill

1240

➁ full

Two oxen held by a double yoke (兩 ➝ 両) approaching their mouths ((廿 ≈ 口) ➝ 艹) to a water source (水 ➝ 氵) in order to satisfy their thirst and feel fulfilled.

車

車

1241

Chariot

シャ くるま

Ⓡ

car

A chariot seen from above pulled by two cattle or horses. The upper line 一 represents the double yoke, which is linked to the transport box (田) through a wooden bar (丨) that ends up connected to a perpendicular axis (一) that holds the wheels.

Two-wheeled carriage pulled by an ox

407

軟

軟 較

較 軸

軸 撃

撃

ナン やわら. かい

Chariot 車 that can be pulled by the air exhaled by a man 欠 soft

1243

Moving chariot 車 next to a still コウ

カク

person with his legs crossed 交 contrast Part of a chariot 車 that causes 由 its

ジク

軌

1244

functionality axle

ゲキ う.つ

Hand 手 hitting with a weapon ⽎ an to beat Chariot 車 leaving figurative arms 九

キ

1245

enemy’s chariot 車

ク

軌

1242

on the ground track

408

1246

軽

ケイ

Chariot 車 that has been made on a

かる.い

potter's wheel 圣

ケイ

軽 かろ.やか 陣

陣 範

範 輩

輩

to be light Chariots 車 stationed by a mountain

輪

1248

range 阝

ジン

camp Chariot 車 surrounded by bamboo

1249

ハン

ハン

poles ⺮ where a person can huddle ⺋ exemplary

1250

ヒ

ハイ

Negation 非 of a chariot 車 getaway comrade Part of a chariot 車 with many

輪

1247

リン わ

1251 リン

bamboo strips like a talkative book 侖 wheel circle

井

井

1252

ショウ セイ い

water well Pit

409

The rectangular outline of the wooden structure of a water well seen from above. As a component this glyph takes on the derived meaning of ‘pit’.

Two women at a well

耕

耕

コウ

Heavy branched trees 耒 made to grow

1253

in pits 井

たがや.す

to till 1254

丼

丼

セイ どん どんぶり

Pit full of food bowl

A figurative well (井) or pit full of food (丶), a bowl with a lot of space to store lots of food.

录

录

1255

ロク

Pulley drawing water from a well

A pulley ( ) drawing a well a bucket (一) wherefrom water drips 410

(水 ➝ 氺).

Thread 糸 dyed with a color similar to

緑

緑

リョク ロク みどり

1256

that of water drops falling from a ロク

bucket drawn from a well 录 green

NOTE In the Sinosphere, the colors green and blue have historically been grouped together under the same concept (greenblue).

411

4 | NETS AND BASKETS

One of the indispensable tools for survival is the ‘net’ 冈, which in its most basic form can be used to catch fish. If a stick is added to a simple net it can become a ‘simple’ butterfly net 単, useful to catch bugs instead of fish. If the nets are made of wood or bamboo instead of cloth, more sophisticated objects can be made, such as winnowing ‘baskets’ 𠀠, which are essential for sowing. We see therefore how the elaboration of networks is an essential aspect of fishing, hunting and agriculture.

1257

冈

冈 罒

Net

A fishing net with its sticks (冂) and its intertwined ropes (㐅). This component gets simplified into the form —with the inner strokes 㐅 flattened into 䒑—in some compounds, but most of the time, a further simplified form is used: 罒, which is identical in appearance to the tilted version of the character for “eye” (目 ➝ 罒).

Two people handling a fishing net

412

署

署 罪

罪 罵

罵 罷

罷 網

網

シャ

ショ

ザイ つみ

Net 罒 of people performing actions 者

governmental office 1259

Net 罒 capturing a criminal and preventing him to fly away 非 crime Words that immobilize people like a net

バ ののし.る

1258

1260

バ

罒 and make them shake like a horse 馬

to curse at 1261

ヒ

モウ あみ

Bear 能 trapped by a net 罒 termination Threads 糸 forming a net

that make

1262

モウ

fish perish 亡 network 1263

羅

羅

ラ

Net 罒 maintaining 維 things together encompassing

413

買

買

1264

バイ

バイ

Net 罒 of money 貝 used for purchasing

か.う

to buy

岡

岡

1265

Net of mountains

コウ おか

ridge

A network ( ) of mountains (山) placed in a line.

綱

綱

コウ

コウ つな

単

単

1266

Thread 糸 thick as the line of a ridge 岡

hawser 1267

タン

Insect caught in a net simple

Originally 單 [吅 ], an insect (吅) caught in a butterfly net ( ). The insect can be noticed in the elements protruding from the network, the antennas (吅 ➝ ⺍), and the butterfly net itself is depicted by its network (冈 ➝ 田) and its thick handle (十). The way of capturing insects or other animals through a net is understood as a ‘simple’ form of hunting that, however, is certainly effective.

414

Butterfly net

獣

獣

ジョウ けもの

Animal catching another animal

1268

beast

Originally [單犬], an animal (犬) that catches another animal or insect with a metaphorical net (單 ➝ 単), denoting the condition of bestiality—fierceness—shown in carnivorous animals. Over time the component 口 (mouth) was added to the character, forming the element ((單 + 口) ➝ 嘼 ➝ ), in order to reaffirm the notion of the alimentary function of preying and link it to fierce animals.

巣

巣

1269

ソウ す

Wooden network in a tree nest

A network (冈 ➝ 田) of wooden sticks placed on top of a tree (木) containing several small birds (⺍) inside: a nest.

卓

卓

Person caught in a net outstanding

タク

table 415

1270

Originally

, a person (人 ➝

➝ ⺊) trapped in a net (

➝ 早),

implying that such a scene is something extraordinary, or ‘outstanding’, because in the ancient world it was more precious to catch human capital—slaves—after battles that simple animals of prey. The derivation of the original glyph denoting the element ‘butterfly net’ ( ≈ 單) in the form 早 is most likely due to a graphic analogy with the component 早 (early) and (sunrise), even though their etymological meanings have nothing to do with each other. The meaning of ‘table’ originates through a phonetic loan, although it is possible to associate the meaning of ‘outstanding’ with something that is placed on top, and afterwards to think of a table as an object that holds objects in a high place.

悼

悼

トウ

Feelings 忄 caused by a person that has

1271

been caught 卓

いた.む

to lament 1272

离

离

リ

Bird trapped in a net

A butterfly net in which a bird is trapped. In this case the glyph shows a quite peculiar and complex graphic evolution. The logical form of the component after a linearization process of the original pictogram would have had to be like [ ], where it is possible to distinguish a bird with its head and wings ( ) trying to fly away from the butterfly net ( ← ) it is 416

trapped in. This form, however, ended up being turned around, probably by analogy with other graphic compositions such as the component 禺 (person dancing with a mask on), and what should be the head and wings of the bird now resembles more a tail (禸) coming out of the lower part of a butterfly net shown upside down (㐫).

離

離

リ

Bird ⾫ escaping from the net it was

1273

リ

trapped in 离

はな.れる

to leave 1274

璃

璃

リ

リ

Jewel 王 that traps 离 images inside

crystal 1275

其

𠀠 其

キ

Winnowing basket

㊔ 其

that

A winnowing basket, made with straw intertwined like a net (𠀠 ≈ 冈). In some compounds this glyph takes the form 其, which is a variant with the element for “two hands” added ((𠀠 + ⼶) ➝ 𢍌 ➝ 其). When this variant gets placed on top of the compounds it takes the flattened form .

417

Winnowing basket

キ

欺

ギ

Winnowing basket 其 with a lack of content 欠

欺 あざむ.く 期

期 基

基 碁

碁

to deceive Grain sieve made with a winnowing

キ ゴ

キ もと もとい

1276

1277

キ

basket 其 according to the moon cycles 月

period of time Mound of earth 土 where the content of a winnowing basket

キ

1278

falls

base 1279

ゴ

Stone 石 pieces kept in a basket

キ

go (board game)

NOTE Go (‘weiqi’ in Chinese) is an abstract strategy board game for two players, in which the aim is to surround more territory than the opponent. The pieces used in the game are shaped like small circular stones and they are held in baskets before they are put into the board. One player plays with white stones and another 418

with black stones.

Go board and stones

棋

棋 旗

旗

キ

キ

キ はた

1280

Wood piece 木 kept in a basket 其

chess piece Flaming flag

square-shaped like a

1281

キ

winnowing basket 其 flag

鼻

鼻

ビ はな

Nose smelling a basket held by two hands

1282

nose

Two hands (⼶) grasping a basket (𠀠 ➝ 田) and taking it to the nose (自) to smell its contents.

419

棄

棄

キ

Newborn baby deposited in a wooden basket

1283

abandonment キ

A newborn child ( ) placed inside a wooden basket (𠀠 ➝ 丗) made of wood (木).

敢

敢

カン

Hand shoving a furry animal into a basket

1284

bravery

A hand hitting (攵) a furry beast (求 ➝ 丅) in order to shove it into a basket (𠀠 ➝ ➝ 耳), an action showing bravery. 1285

害

害

ガイ

Basket dropping the old harm キ

Originally 𠱬 [ 古], a basket turned upside down (𠀠 ➝

➝

➝

) dropping the old (古), a symbolic representation of the neglect of the old things, implying that forgetting ancestors and ancient traditions is harmful. The shape 𠱬 would eventually evolve in the composition 害, in which the traces depicting the basket facing down have been flattened ( ➝ ).

420

轄

轄

ガイ

カツ

1286

Chariot 車 being dropped 害 jurisdiction

NOTE Implying a controlled place where there is no need to use a chariot to move around, a controllable territory.

憲

憲

Basket dropping an eye

1287

into feelings

ケン

constitution

A basket turned upside down (𠀠 ➝

➝

➝

➝

) dropping a

figurative eye (罒) into the feelings (心) of the people in order to control them, writings inside a basket that legislatively controls the lives of the people.

良

良

1288

リョウ

Sieve filtering grain

よ.い

good

A person (人 ➝ ㇔) sifting grain in a winnowing basket (甘 ➝ 白) to filter it from dust and dirt, which falls down ( ): A filter that expels the bad and keeps the good. When this component is placed to the left of the compounds it is simplified in the following narrowed form: .

421

Woman filtering the grain with a sieve

娘

娘 朗

1289

むすめ

Good 良 woman 女 daughter 1290

ロウ

Good

朗 ほが.らか

リョウ

浪

浪

moon 月

brilliant リョウ

ロウ

Water 氵 that sieves 良 billow

422

1291

REVIEW ON TOOLS

⼀百⼆三⼗千年古居⽀ 1

仁計協汁準克故湖苦枯据裾伎肢技 岐枝

⾙桜貴負賁貫⽟玨全朋 2

資貨賛唄貪賄賢敗賀貼販賭購財潰 憤噴墳慣珍現珠球璽斑琴詮栓崩棚

⼯巩左尋展㐮壬任巨丁丙更 両満⾞井丼录 3

4

項攻功巧江虹差紅貢恐築佐惰嬢譲 壌妊淫賃拒距頂訂打灯柄病便硬梗 軟較軸撃軌軽陣範輩輪耕緑

冈岡単獣巣卓离𠀠⿐棄敢害 憲良

署罪罵罷網羅買綱悼離璃欺期基碁 棋旗轄娘朗浪 423

VESSELS 1 | FOOD AND DRINKING VESSELS As we have already seen on several occasions, bronze made objects and, specifically, bronze vessels, were of paramount importance in the religious life of the China in which sinograms were invented. That is why a great variety of vessels make a presence in the repertoire of Chinese characters. Among all these vessels, the most basic are the ‘bowls’ for food 皿. Although their original function is to house food as ‘dishes’, they were also frequently used for ritual ceremonies, in which they were used even to store ‘blood’

血. But if the vessels are too full, then even in ritual

ceremonies their contents can ‘easily’ spill 易. In order to prevent this form happening, it is possible to put a curved lid on them and thus create ‘bean-shaped’ bowls food vessels are the ‘mortar’

豆. Another type of

臼, the ‘cauldron’

鼎 or a ‘three-

legged cauldron’ 鬲. Vessels designed to store alcoholic beverages were also an indispensable complement in the same way in both facets of social life, culinary and religious, since ‘wine jars' 酉 were used both to store alcohol for later consumption and as containers used in religious libations. Such an important object was this type of vessels that they were even made in a larger size, as 'big alcohol vessels'

畐, that could store more quantity of wine.

424

⽫

皿

Bowl with two handles

1292

Ⓡ

Food vessel

さら

dish

Originally 𠀜, a vessel with a bowl ( ), two handles (ハ) and a foot (一). Over time, the inclined strokes representing the handles became vertical and were joined with the upper and lower horizontal lines, forming the current composition. The original meaning of ‘bowl’, due to its frequent use as a food vessel, ultimately came to mean ‘dish’.

Ritual bronze vessel with handles, called 'gui' (簋)

盟

盟

メイ

メイ

1293

Bright 明 food vessel 皿 alliance

NOTE A shining, good quality ritual vessel bestowed as a present in the enactment of an alliance.

425

盗

盗

トウ ぬす.む

Person exhaling 欠 ice 冫 as he draws

1294

something out of a food vessel 皿

to steal

NOTE The ice refers to the immobility—figurative freezing— usually suffered by those who steal something.

温

温 塩

塩

オン

Water 氵 in a vessel 皿 heated by the sun 日

あたた.かい

warm

エン しお

Mineral from the soil 土 eaten by a person's 人 ➝ mouth 口 from a dish 皿

猛

モウ

1296

salt Animal 犭 putting a child 子on a

猛

1295

1297

figurative food vessel 皿 in order to eat him wildness

益

益

エキ ヤク

Water overflowing from a bowl

1298

benefit

Bowl (皿) containing a stream of water placed horizontally (水 ➝ 426

氺➝ ), a bowl full of water that is about to overflow, symbol of abundance and benefit.

⾎

血

1299

Blood on a bowl

ケツ ち

blood

A ritual bowl (皿) with a drop of blood (㇒) inside, most probably alluding to some kind of sacrificial ceremony.

衆

衆

シュウ シュ

Several people sharing the same blood populace

Originally [血 ], several people (人×3 ➝ under the same blood (血).

監

監

カン ラン

1300

➝ 㐺 ➝ 乑) united

Person looking at a bowl with blood on it

1301

to oversee

Originally 𧗄 [臥血] , a person looking down (臥 ➝ ) on a ritual bowl with blood inside (血 ➝ (皿 + 一)), overseeing that the ritual ceremony is being performed correctly.

427

覧

覧 濫

濫 藍

藍

Person looking 見 at another person

1302

ラン

ラン

who oversees a bowl 監 ➝ perusal ラン

ラン

1303

Water 氵 overseen by a person 監 overflow

ラン あい

Plant 艹 a dyeing process overseen by a

1304

ラン

person 監 indigo (color and plant) 1305

易

易

イ エキ

Water spilling from a bowl easy

やさ.しい

A bowl full of water, turned upside down and spilling that water. The element 曰 represents the foot of the bowl and part of the water. The element 勹 represents the edges of the bowl, and the strokes 丿丿 represent the water spilling. This graph refers to the ‘ease’ with which water can spill out of a bowl or glass that is full.

428

1306

賜

シ

Money 貝 spilling from a bowl 易

賜 たまわ.る ⾖

豆

to bestow

ズ トウ まめ

1307

Bean-shaped bowl with a lid

beans

Round vessel shaped like a bean, with a lid (一), a wide bowl (⼞) and a foot (䒑).

Ritual bronze vessel with a rounded shape and a lid, called 'duo' (豆)

1308

頭

頭

ズ トウ ト あたま かしら

トウ

Bean-shaped 豆 head 頁 head

429

痘

痘

Illness 疒 that produces bean-shaped

1309

トウ

豆 pimples

トウ

pox

登

登

ト トウ

Ritual lidded bowl going up to an altar

のぼ.る

to ascend

1310

トウ

A ritual lidded bowl (豆) that is ascended towards an altar. The component 癶 (two feet going upwards) is a figurative resource that suggests that the bowl has risen by itself, indicating the intransitive aspect of the verb.

澄

チョウ

澄

す.む

壴

Water 氵 inside a ritual bowl that is on

1311

トウ

top of an altar 登

to become clear 1312

Bowl wherefrom sound comes out Percussion instrument

A bowl or pot ( ≈ 皿 ≈ 豆) from whose interior sound comes out (㞢 ➝ 士), a percussion instrument.

430

喜

喜 鼓

鼓

キ よろこ.ぶ

コ つづみ

膨

ボウ

膨

ふくら.む

樹

樹

ジュ

1313

Words 口 pronounced to the rhythm of a percussion instrument 壴 to rejoice Percussion instrument 壴 hit by a thick

1314

rod held by a hand 支 drum Body part 月 with hair 彡 pumping

1315

like a percussion instrument 壴 to swell Tree 木 coming out of a bowl 壴 and being worked on 寸

1316

trees

NOTE Originally this character had the meaning of ‘cultivating’ or ‘planting’—presumably in pots—but then the cultivated element, the plant and, later, trees in general, began to supplant the original meaning.

豊

ホウ

豊

ゆた.か

Pot from which several lush plants come out bountiful

431

1317

Ⓡ

Originally 豐 [𠁳豆], several lush plants (丰×2) coming out from a pot out (豈 ≈ 壴), a symbol of abundance. In a simplification process, the upper strokes of the element(𠁳) ended up reducing their number of strokes, forming the current composition: 曲. 1318

艶

エン つや

艶

㿝

㿝 A bowl ( food.

Bountiful 豊 color 色 luster 1319

Bowl filled with rice

≈ 皿 ➝ 厶) with white rice (白) inside, a bowl full of

The original glyph 㿝 gets simplified into the form compounds.

爵

爵

Ⓡ

in most

Hand grabbing 爫 a net 罒 that catches the hands that work 寸 to get bowls full シャク of food peerage

432

1320

即

即

ソク

Kneeling person in front of a bowl filled with rice

1321

immediate

A person kneeling (卩) in front of a bowl full of food (㿝 ➝ ), in the instant immediately before starting to eat.

Part of a bamboo stalk ⺮ that places

節

節

セツ セチ ふし

1322

immediately 即 places other parts of it next to each other node

既

既

キ すで.に

Person in front of a bowl who turns his head back

1323

previously

A person next to a bowl (㿝 ➝ ) who turns his head away and opens his mouth to exhale air (旡)—to burp—because he has eaten the food that previously was inside. The element 旡 is the mirror version of the component 欠 (person with an open mouth exhaling air), consisting of two legs (⼉) and a head with an open mouth turned to the right (匸).

慨

慨

キ

ガイ

Heart 忄 turning back 既 repentance 433

1324

概

概

キ

ガイ

食

食飠

1325

Wooden structure 木 already 既 erected

outline ショク ジキ

Mouth over a bowl full of food

く.う た.べる

Food

1326

Ⓡ

to eat

Originally 𩚀 [亼㿝], a mouth over (亼 ➝ 亽) a bowl full of food (㿝 ➝ 艮), a mouth eating the food inside. When this component is placed to the left of the compounds it takes the simplified graph 飠, in a form similar to the simplification of the component 㿝. 1327

飲

イン

Eating 飠 with an open mouth 欠

飲

の.む

to drink

餅

餅

ヘイ もち

Bowls full of rice 飠 that can be lined ヘイ

up 并

rice cake

434

1328

1329

餌

餌 飼

飼 飽

飽 飯

飯 養

ジ え えさ

ジ

Food飠 that appeals to the ears 耳 bait 1330

シ

シ

Food 飠 being deposited 司

か.う

to feed 1331

ホウ

ホウ あ.きる

Food 飠 wrapping process 包 to get tired of ハン

ハン めし

ヨウ

養 やしな.う 飾

ショク

飾

かざ.る

1332

Food 飠 upon which a hand arches 反 meal ヨウ

1333

Auspicious 𦍌 food 食 to rear Bowl full of food whereon a person 人 puts a cloth 巾

➝

to decorate

435

1334

飢

飢

キ

Bowl full of uneaten food 飠 on top of キ

a stool 几

う.える

⾅

臼旧

1335

to starve 1336

キュウ

Hollow vessel

うす

mortar

A vessel or container that is kept empty inside, more specifically referring to a mortar. The original glyph 臼, still present in some compounds, is a modification of the element 日—graphically identical to the glyph for “sun” (日)—which usually forms part of glyphs that represent vessels. Said element gets an opening in the middle (臼) to enhance the void in it, showing a hollow vessel that can be used as a ‘mortar’. In some compounds this component can take the form 旧, which is a phonetic association to the character 旧 (old times), which has a similar graphical structure.

児

児 毀

毀

1337

ジ ニ

Hollow 旧 person ⼉ infant Hollow cavity 臼 on the soil 土 made

キ

by a sledgehammer ⽎ destruction 436

1338

陥

➀ カン Mountains 阝 making a leaning person 勹 ➀

おちい.る

陥➁

➝ ⺈ fall into a hollow cavity 旧

➀ to collapse ➁ to make collapse

おとしい.

れる

稲

稲

トウ

Plant producing grains 禾 that can be

いないね

grabbed 爫 and put into a mortar 旧

潟

潟

1339

1340

rice plant

かた

Water filling a hollow cavity from which birds drink

1341

lagoon

Originally 舃, [臼 ] and then 舄, a bird (鳥 ➝ ➝ ) drinking water (氵) that fills a cavity (臼), a lagoon from which birds can drink water.

鼎

鼎貝

1342

㊔

Cauldron

テイ

鼎

A cauldron with several sustaining legs. The central upper part 目 represents the container proper with some decorations and the lower strokes 𤕰 represent the two handles on top and an indefinite number of legs below. As a component this character adopts the simplified form 貝, which 437

graphically matches with the character 貝 (seashell) but has no etymological relation to it.

Legged ritual cauldron, called ‘ding’ (鼎)

貞

貞

テイ

1343

Legged cauldron used in divination rituals integrity テイ

Originally 鼑 [⺊鼎], a ritual cauldron (鼎 ➝ 貝) used in divination ceremonies (卜 ➝ ⺊), a cauldron of exclusively ritual use and that therefore is not used in the kitchen, a cauldron that remains integral and pristine.

偵

偵

1344

テイ

テイ

具

具

Person 亻 pretending to be in integrity 貞

spy 1345

グ

Cauldron held by two hands tool

Two hands (⼶ ➝ ハ) holding a cauldron (鼎 ➝ 貝 ➝ 438

), in

reference to the utility of said vessel as a tool for heating water.

惧

惧

Feeling 忄 arising while holding a hot グ

1346

グ

cauldron with two hands 具 dread

真

真 SPECIAL READING

1347

Person in integrity

シン ま

true

真似 [まね]: mimic

Originally [匕貝], a person (匕 ➝ 十) that has integrity as a ritual cauldron (貝 ➝ ) that is held with two hands (⼶ ➝ ハ) to be used in a divination ceremony: a person showing his true identity.

慎

シン

シン

慎 つつし.む 填

填

Feelings 忄 of a person in integrity 真 to be prudent Earth 土 covering ritual kettles and

テン

1348

シン

people 真 in a burial ceremony to fill in

439

1349

1350

⿀

Three-legged cauldron

鬲

A ritual cauldron with a bowl ( ) in the upper part and three bulky legs ( ) in the lower part.

Three-legged ritual cauldron, called ‘li’ (⿀鬲)

隔

隔 融

融

カク

Mountain range 阝 hiding ritual

1351

cauldrons 鬲

へだ.てる

to isolate Ritual cauldron 鬲 containing

1352

burning insects ⾍

ユウ

melt

⾣

酉

1353

Wine jar

ユウ

Alcohol

440

Ⓡ ㊔

A jar designed to store fermented alcoholic beverages for a long time. The strokes 兀 represent the mouth and neck of the jar, the lower strokes ⼞ represent the outline of the body and the inner line 一 represents a decorative motive. The meaning of ‘wine jar’ can be expanded into that of ‘alcohol’ in some compounds.

Bronze ritual wine jar, called ‘lei’ (罍)

酵

酵 酎

酎

Alcohol 酉 making process passed from コウ

1354

コウ

parents to children 孝 fermentation 1355

チュウ

Alcohol 酉 on which a hand works 寸 rice wine

441

酸

酸 醜

サン す.い

Alcohol 酉 that distributes energy to the feet 夋 acid

1357

シュウ

Alcohol 酉 that makes ghosts 鬼 appear

醜 みにく.い 配

配

1356

ugly 1358

キ

ハイ くば.る

Alcohol 酉 that is circulated 己 to distribute 1359

酒

酒 酬

酬

シュ さけ さか-

Fluid 氵 coming out of a wine jar 酉 sake (Japanese rice wine) 1360

シュウ

シュウ

Alcohol 酉 and pieces of land 州

reward 1361

酷

酷

コク

コク

Alcohol 酉 making words come out 告 cruel

442

醒

醒

セイ

セイ

Alcohol intake 酉 and stargazing 星 awake シャク

酌

シャク

Alcohol 酉 poured with a ladle 勺

酌

く.む

to serve alcohol

醸

ジョウ

醸

かも.す

酔

酔 酢

酢

Alcohol 酉 made thanks to work in the field

1363

1364

ジョウ

to brew ソツ

スイ

Alcohol intake 酉 being finished 卆

よ.う

to get drunk

サク す

1362

Wine jar 酉 covered with folded clothes

1365

1366

サク

乍 during a fermentation process vinegar 1367

酋

Distributed alcohol

酋

Libation

Wine jars’ (酉) content being distributed (八 ➝ 丷) as a libation— pouring alcohol for the gods—in religious rituals.

443

猶

猶

Libation 酋 made along an animal 犭

1368

sacrifice

ユウ

furthermore 1369

尊

尊

ソン たっと.い とうと.い

Hand working on a libation precious

スン

A working hand (寸) actively pouring alcohol in a libation (酋).

畐

1370

ヒョク フク

Big wine vessel

A wine vessel with a longer neck than normal, presumably with a capacity for a great alcohol content. The upper strokes represent the mouth and neck of the jar, whereas the lower strokes 田 represent the decorated body.

Bronze ritual wine jar with a long neck, called ‘gu’ (觚)

444

幅

幅

フク

フク はば

Cloth 巾 covering a big wine vessel breadth

445

1371

2 | BAGS AND BOXES A more modest type of container, or vessel, are those made of cloth or small filaments of wood or bamboo, such as the ‘bags’ 西 that are closed at the top and good for storing and transporting objects, a function so convenient and necessary without which the small-scale serial ‘production’ and trade of commodities would not be possible, because serially produced goods have to be easily packed in several bags 品. Another type of basic container used to store other objects is the ‘box’ 匚 which, if it is made of bamboo and is flexible enough, can be ‘folded’ at will, reflecting in the box the folds of the material

曲.

1372

西

西覀

サイ セイ にし

Bag

Ⓡ

west

Originally 卤, a bag (⼞)—decorated with some embroidery (㐅)— that is closed on its upper part (⺊). The glyph suffered a gradual simplification in which the original form 卤 ended up becoming the current glyph 西 as the upper strokes ⺊ merged with the inner strokes 㐅. When acting as a component the graph even takes a further simplification into the form 覀. The meaning of ‘west’ probably is taken through a phonetic loan, analogue to that of the character 東 (backpack ➝ east). It metaphorically evokes the image of a small bag hanging on a tree, a 446

nest, awaiting for the birds to come when the sun sets in the west.

Small embroidered bag from Meiji period Japan

価

価 煙

煙 覇

覇

1373

カ あたい

エン

Person 亻 examining a bag’s 覀 content

price Fire 火 burning a bag 覀 on top of an

1374

earth 土 mound

けむ.る

to smoke 1375

ハ

Bag 覀 with leather 革 and of meat 月 supremacy 1376

要

要

ヨウ かなめ

Bag of a woman necessary

い.る

Originally 𡢗 [𦥑囟女], two hands (𦥑) holding the figurative bag (卤 ➝ 囟 = 西) of a woman (女), symbolizing the scene of a birth 447

that indirectly refers to the female uterus and the primordial need of its existence and well-being for the survival and perpetuation of a certain social group. Over time the upper part of the character, , ended up being simplified in 覀, erasing the element that represented two hands (𦥑).

腰

腰

ヨウ こし

Body part 月 where the women’s

1377

ヨウ

uterine bag 要 is placed hips

栗

栗

1378

リ

Tree with bag-shaped fruits ㊔ chestnut tree

A tree (木) that produces fruits with a spiked shell whose appearance resembles a bag (西 ➝ 覀).

Chestnut fruit with its spiked shell

448

慄

慄

Feeling 忄 provoked by the sight of a

1379

リ

spiky chestnut 栗

リツ

fear

卑

卑

ヒ いや.しい

Hand holding a bag upside down

1380

lowly

An outstretched hand (又 ➝ 𠂇 ➝ 十) holding a bag upside down ((西 ← 卤) ➝ ), signifying that the bag is empty and nothing comes out of it. An empty basket that, as such, figuratively represents scarcity and low social status.

碑

碑

ヒ

ヒ

品

品

1381

Stone 石 put in a low place 卑 tombstone 1382

Several small bags

ヒン しな

Ⓡ

product

Several small bags (卤 ➝ 囟 ➝ 田 ➝ 口×3), symbolizing a specific object or material that is produced in multiple times: a small-scale serial production.

449

臨

臨

リン

Person looking down

1383

ヒン

products 品

のぞ.む

喿

into several

to overlook 1384

Products of a tree

ソウ

The products (品) that come from a tree (木), that is, fruits. 1385

操

➀ ソウ ➀

Hand 扌 taking the products of a tree

➀ to manipulate

操 あやつ.る ➁ みさお 燥

燥 藻

藻

ソウ

ソウ も

ソウ

➁ fidelity

Fire 火 burning the products of a tree

ソウ

1386

dryness Plants 艹 that are the product of trees ソウ

living under the water 氵 seaweed

450

1387

繰

繰

1388

Thread 糸 that turns around an object く.る

shaped like the products of trees 喿 to wind

器

器

➀➁キ ➁ うつわ

Several products acting as one

1389

➀ instrument ➁ vessel

Several small products (口×4 ≈ 品) interconnected, forming a large product (大): A complex mechanism consisting of several parts, an instrument. The meaning of ‘vessel’ is a semantic derivation resulting from the relationship between the general concept of ‘instrument’ with the particular concept of ‘vessel shape’ that characterized many of the ancient day-to-day instruments.

匚

匚𠃊

1390

An open box

Ⓡ

A box open at its top, presumably made of bamboo, turned vertically.

匿

匿

Hand hiding inside a box 匚 the food トク

ジャク

to be eaten 若

concealment

451

1391

匹

匹

1392

Energy inside a box

ヒツ ひき

unit (of)

Energy distributed (八 ➝ ⼉) inside a box (匚), an ideographic representation of a box containing something inside: A packaged item, a unit of some object or article. 1393

甚

甚

ジン カン

Box with a basket inside exceedingly

はなは.だ

A winnowing basket (𠀠 ➝ ) placed inside a box with content inside (匹): A Box with too much content, an exceedingly full box. カン

勘

勘 堪

堪

Exceedingly full box 甚 touched by an カン

1394

outstretched arm 力 perception

カン た.える

Heavy earth 土 filling an exceedingly

1395

カン

full box 甚 to bear

区

区

1396

Box full of products

ク オウ

delimitation 452

Originally 區 [匚品], several products (品 ➝ 㐅) stored inside a box (匚), the location of those products delimited by their container. オウ

欧

欧

Delimitated space 区 where people オウ

exhale air 欠 Europe オウ

殴

殴 枢

枢 駆

駆

1397

オウ なぐ.る

Box containing several products 区

1398

that is hit with a sledgehammer ⽎ to assault Wood piece 木 holding together a box

1399

オウ

full of products 区

スウ

pivot

ク か.ける

Horse 馬 transporting a box full of

1400

ク

products 区 to dash 1401

直

直

➀ ジキ Eye pointing straight ahead ➀ チョク ➀ ➀ straightaway ただち.に

➁ to put straight

➁ なお.す

453

The gaze of an eye (目) pointing directly towards a specific thick rod (十) kept inside a box (匚 ➝ 𠃊). 1402

値

値 殖

殖

チ ね あたい

ショク ふ.える

チョク

Person 亻 being directly looked at 直

value Bone remains ⽍ being directly looked

1403

チョク

at 直

to augment

NOTE The meaning of ‘augmenting’ comes from the association made between the action of inspecting, or directly looking at some bone remains for a long time and the observation that the decay of such bone clearly increases.

植

植

チョク

ショク

Tree 木 being directly looked at 直

う.える

to plant

置

チ

置

お.く

Net 罒 placed directly where the eye チョク

aimed to 直 to put

454

1404

1405

㥁

1406

Straight feeling

Originally 悳 [直心], a feeling that goes directly (直 ➝ the heart (心).

聴

聴

➝

Feeling coming directly from the ears チョウ 耳 き.く to listen

) to

1407

1408

Stored rice grains Several grains of rice (米) stored in a box (匚 ➝ 𠃊).

継

ケイ

継

つ.ぐ

Thread 糸 tying together stored rice grains

1409

to take over

NOTE The meaning of this character is mainly related to the reception of inheritance, hence the representation of material provisions safely tied and stored.

455

曲

曲

1410

キョク

Bent bamboo box

ま.がる

to bend

A box made of folded bamboo strips, which each fold visible marked.

456

3 | PLATES AND TRAYS Complementing the vessels we have seen so far, there is a kind of food and drink container of more mundane appearance and greater availability, which makes it ‘commonplace’, but which is also suitable for use in religious rituals. That is the flat plate or tray 凡, which in turn can be used to contain minerals, such as cinnabar 丹, capable of creating a ‘vermillion’ pigment.

凡

凡

1411

Plate

ボン ハン

commonplace

A plate or tray with two legs and two handles and a flattened shape, a fairly ‘commonplace’ object. The original form of the pictogram was something similar to the strokes , which would later evolve into 𠔼 and finally, influenced by the flow of the strokes, to the current form 凡.

Bronze tray, called ‘pan' (盤)

汎

汎

ハン

ハン

Water 氵 contained in a plate 凡 all-inclusive

457

1412

帆

帆

ハン

ハン ほ

1413

Cloth 巾 that is commonplace 凡 sail 1414

同

ドウ

Mouth eating from a plate

同

おな.じ

same

A mouth (口) eating or drinking from a plate (凡), activity repeated throughout life in the same way by everybody. ドウ

胴

胴 洞

洞

Body part 月 with the same size 同 in ドウ

most people torso

ドウ ほら

Water 氵 from a plate going through

筒

1416

ドウ

the cavity of the mouth 同 cavity Bamboo stalk 竹 used as a straw for

筒

1415

トウ つつ

drinking through the mouth from a ドウ

plate 同 cylinder

458

1417

興

興

キョウ コウ

Two hands handing a plate to two other hands

おこ.す

to vitalize

1418

Originally 𢍯 [𦥑同⼶], two hands (⼶ ➝ ) offering a plate to be put in the mouth (同) of a person who receives it with his or her two hands (𦥑 ≈ ⼶): A plate of food offered to a person to give him energy.

斉

斉

1419

セイ

Commonplace writings even

Commonplace (( ➝ ) = 凡) writing (文), writing that has been regularized, matched so that it can be used evenly and understood by everyone.

済

済

サイ す.む

セイ

1420

Water 氵 that becomes an even 斉 course

to conclude

NOTE In reference to the end of a river at the river mouth.

粛

粛

1421

シュク

Hand stirring grain on a plate

quietly

A hand grasping the handle ((⺕ + 丨) ➝ 肀) of a tray ((凡 ≈ )➝ ) containing rice grains (米) while sieving the good grains from dust and other substances, an activity that must be done quietly 459

and patiently. 1422

風

風

フウ フ かぜ

Vessel of flying insects wind

かざ-

The metaphoric vessel—or tray (凡 ➝ )—of flying insects (⾍), the element that helps flying insects move.

嵐

嵐

1423

Wind 風 blowing through the mountains 山

あらし

storm

受

受

ジュ う.ける

Hand receiving a plate from another hand

1424

to receive

An outstretched hand (又) receiving a plate (凡 ➝ 冖) from a hand that was grabbing it (爪 ➝ 爫).

授

ジュ

ジュ

Hand 扌 giving something to a receiver 受

授 さず.ける

to grant

460

1425

丹

丹

1426

Pigment on a plate

タン

vermilion

Originally 𠂁, a cinnabar stone (丶) deposited on a plate ((凡 ≈ ) ➝ ) to create a reddish pigment with it. It also alludes to the red color of many lacquered containers—among them plates and trays —of ancient China.

Lush plant on a plate

青

青

セイ ショウ あお

1427

blue green Clear

Originally 靑 [円], a lush plant (丰 → ) over a plate from which pigment (丹 ➝ 円 ➝ ⺝) is to be made. The pigment obtained from plants becomes greenish or bluish, taking into account that the Eastern notion for blue mingles with that of green. As a component the character can also mean ‘clear’, as a reference to the bright and clean color of the pigment obtained from plants. 1428

静

静

セイ ジョウ しず.か

セイ

ソウ

Cleared 青 contest 争 calm

461

1429

情

情

ジョウ セイ

Clear 青 feelings 忄

なさ.け

emotion

SPECIAL READING

ショウ

お父さん [おとおさん]: father 1430

請

請 晴

晴

セイ シン う.ける こ.う

セイ

Clear 青 speech 言 to request

セイ

セイ

Sun 日 that is clear 青

は.れる

to be sunny

1431

1432

精

清 精

精

セイ ショウ

Water 氵 that is clear 青

きよ.い

pure

セイ

セイ

セイ ショウ

Rice 米 that is clear 青 fine

462

1433

南

南

1434

ナン

Wood generating fire

ナ

south

みなみ

This is a character with a rather complex graphic evolution and semantic association. It represents, in origin, a tree (木) on top and a plate containing vermilion pigment (𠂁 ← 丹) at the bottom. The strokes of this sinogram, over time, have been mixed and got overlapped, and that is why the original compositional elements are no longer visible. The strokes of the “tree” component (木) are attested in the elements 十, 丷 and 丨 (木 ➝ (十 + 个), 个 ➝ (丷 + 丨)) of the contemporary graph. On the other hand, the strokes of the element “vermilion”, are reflected in the lower element 冃 (丹 ← 𠂁 ➝ ). The original ideographic composition of this graph refers to an association between wood and vermilion color, giving an association with fire and the red color in general, which, within the traditional East Asian conceptual framework of the five elements or five phases (wu xing, 五行), is directly associated with the south cardinal point. This conceptual framework, in turn, dictates that wood generates fire, thus reinforcing the relationship between the two compositional elements of the character.

献

献

Wood generating fire 南 used to heat or

ケン コン

cook an animal 犬

contribution

463

1435

用

用

1436

ヨウ

Ritual plate

もち.いる

to use

Originally 𤰃, a vessel or ritual plate (凡 ←

) used for divinatory

(卜 ➝ ⺊) or religious rites, the ultimate use of any vessel. Over time the upper stroke of the form 𤰃 (－) became longer— joining the left and right ends of the character. In this way it is that the current form of the character 用 came to be.

甬

甬 A mouth (口 ➝

1437

ヨウ

Divine message passing through a person

) interpreting the messages obtained through the

ritual use of a plate ( ← 用): the divine message that passes through a shaman. This notion of ‘passing through’ is what this component takes in the compounds. 1438

踊

踊

ヨウ

ヨウ おど.る

Foot 足 passing over 甬 a hole to dance

NOTE Originally this character had the meaning of ‘jumping’— meaning that it is still maintained in contemporary Chinese language. Ultimately the meaning of ‘jumping’ was associated with jumping to the rhythm of music, or dancing.

464

痛

痛

1439

ヨウ

ツウ

疒 one goes through 甬

いた.い

to hurt

勇

ユウ

勇

いさ.む

Strength needed for a religious ritual

1440

courage

ヨウ

[甬 力], with the variant 恿 [甬心] also attested, the

Originally

(emotional = 心) strength (力) that a shaman needs to carry out a divinatory or religious rituals (甬 ➝ ).

ユウ

湧

ユウ

Water 氵 gushing with courage 勇

湧

わ.く

to gush forth

甫

甫

1441

1442

ホ

Father handling a ritual plate ㊔

Benefit

フ

A father (父 ➝ 十 + 丶) handling a ritual plate (

← 用), denoting

the supposed benefit of religious ceremonies being guided by an authority figure, a father.

哺

哺

ホ

ホ

Mouth 口 obtaining a gain 甫

suckling 465

1443

捕

Hand 扌 obtaining a benefit 甫

つか.まえる

捕 と.らえる 浦

浦 補

1444

ホ

ホ

to catch Water 氵 where benefits 甫 can be

1445

obtained

うら

bay 1446

ホ

Clothes 衤 providing a benefit 甫

ホ

補 おぎな.う

to supplement

尃

ハク

Hand working on obtaining benefits

1447

Profitable ホ

A hand working (寸) in obtaining benefits (甫), tying to make something profitable.

縛

縛

バク

ハク

Thread 糸 making things profitable

しば.る

to bind

466

1448

1449

博

博

ハク

ハク バク

溥

溥

Counting 十 made profitable plentiful 1450

Profit flowing like water

ハク ハク

Hand working for profit ( ) that is obtained like flowing water (水 ➝ 氵), beneficial results, growth.

薄

薄 簿

簿

ハク うす.い

Plants 艹 growing like the flow of

1451

ハク

water 溥 thin

Bamboo book ⺮ about the flow of

1452

ハク

profit 溥

ボ

record book

NOTE Books in ancient China were made with bamboo slips, as it is attested by the character 冊 (bamboo slips, volume of a book).

467

庸

庸

ヨウ

Hands placing a lush plant on a ritual plate

1453

ordinary

Originally 𠭻 [ ], two hands grabbing a lush plant (((𠬞 ← ⼶) + 丰) ➝ ➝ 𠩖 ➝ )) that is deposited on a ritual plate ( ← 用), referring to the ordinary practice of using a ritual plate for mundane purposes such as the preparation of food.

468

4 | BOATS The last kind of vessels to talk about are the navigation vessels, the ‘boats’ 舟, which are not a vessels understood as containers, but as means of transport. Although of a completely different typology to the other vessels seen so far, it is interesting to group boats within the semantic category of ‘vessel' not only for the homography, but also because the graphic composition of the component for “boat” (舟) is quite similar to that of the “plate” component (凡) seen in the previous section.

1454

⾈

舟⺝

シュウ ふね

boat

Ⓡ 舟

ふな-

A small wooden boat, drawn vertically, with the contour and the central crossbar represented by the strokes , two seats represented by the strokes 丶 and 丨, and the tip of the prow by the stroke ㇒. In some components this graph takes the simplified form ⺝.

Small wooden boat from the Edo Japan

469

航

航 舶

舶 舷

舷 艦

艦

Boat 舟 moving above and below the

1455

コウ

surface 亢 of water

コウ

navigation ハク

ハク

Boat 舟 transporting white rice 白 large ship

1457

ゲン

Boat's 舟 dim part 玄

ゲン

gunwale カン

カン

般

般

1456

1458

Boat 舟 that is overseen 監 warship 1459

ハン

Boat fixed with a hammer generic

A ship (舟) being fixed or assembled by a hammer (⽎), a bad quality, generic boat.

搬

搬

Hand 扌 putting goods on a generic ハン

boat 般

ハン

carrier 470

1460

盤

盤

1461

ハン

Generic 般 plate 皿

バン

俞

俞

tray

ユ

Mouth talking over a boat sailing in the water

1462

Accomplishment

Originally 兪 [亼⺝巜], a mouth metaphorically speaking (亼) to a boat (舟 ➝ ⺝) that sails on a water course (巛 ➝ 巜 ➝ 刂), implying the notion of the governance of a boat over the water, the ‘accomplishment’ of being able to sail a boat.

愉

愉 諭

諭 喻

喻

ユ

ユ

ユ さと.す

Feeling 忄 of accomplishment 俞 pleasure Speech 言 that make accomplishments

1464

ユ

俞 happen to admonish Words 口 making understanding

ユ

1463

ユ

accomplished 俞 metaphor

471

1465

ユ

癒

癒 輸

輸

ユ

Feeling 心 of accomplished 俞 healing

1466

over an illness 疒

い.える

to be cured ユ

ユ

前

前

1467

Chariots 車 and boats sailing waters 俞

transport

ゼン まえ

Standing on top of a boat sailing in the water

1468

before in front

Originally 歬 [止舟], and then 𠝣, a stopped (止 ➝ 䒑) boat (舟 ➝ ⺝). With the passage of time the element 刂 (originally 巜 ← 巛: water course) was added to the composition, by analogy with the component 俞 (mouth talking over a sailing boat) and also to denote the idea that the boat remains stopped 'before' sailing in the water. The notion of ‘before’ is given, therefore, by the understanding of the immobility of a ship, whose main function is to move, as an unnatural situation always prior to that movement. The meaning of ‘in front’ is, on the other hand, a semantic association taken from the similarity between the concepts of ‘before’ and ‘in front of', which is also given in English with expressions such as ‘standing before you'.

472

ゼン

煎

セン

Heating done before 前 burning with

1469

fire 灬

い.る

to broil

朕

朕

チン

Two hands handling the helm of a boat

1470

person in charge

Two hands grabbing the rotating knob (关) of a boat (舟 ➝ 月), or in other words, a person at the helm, a person in charge. In the compounds this graph takes the peculiar arrangement , which leaves space for the other components in the lower right corner.

謄

謄

1471

トウ

People in charge

repeating a speech 言

mimeograph 1472

勝

勝

➀➁ ショウ ➀ まさ.る ➁ か.つ

Person in charge

with strength 力

➀ to surpass ➁ to win

473

騰

騰

トウ

Person handling the reins of a horse

1473

pounce

A person in charge ( ) handling the reins of a horse (馬) and making it gallop and pounce.

藤

藤

トウ ふじ

Plant 艹 that growing as fast as a トウ

pouncing horse 騰 goes wisteria

474

1474

REVIEW ON VESSELS

⽫益⾎衆監易⾖登壴豊⾉即 既⾷⾅⿍貞具真⿀ 1

盟盜温塩猛益衆覧濫藍賜頭痘澄喜 ⿎膨樹艶爵節慨概飲餅餌飼飽飯養 飾飢児毀陥稲潟偵惧慎填隔融

⾣酋尊畐西要栗卑品喿器⼕ 匹甚区直㥁 曲 2

3

酵酎酸醜配酒酬醒酷酌醸酔酢猶幅 価煙覇腰慄碑臨操燥藻繰匿勘堪欧 殴枢駆値殖植置聴継

凡同興斉粛⾵受丹青南⽤甬 勇甫尃溥庸 汎帆胴洞筒興済嵐授静情請晴清精 献踊痛湧哺捕浦補縛博薄簿

475

4

⾈般兪前朕騰 航舶舷艦搬盤愉諭喩癒輸煎謄勝藤

476

THE TERRITORIAL REALM

477

THE TERRITORIAL REALM The territory is a broad concept that, however, takes centre stage in any settled society, since the identity of a society is almost always associated with the territory it is based on. The survival of a society is linked to the capacity of defending a territory, and for this defense it is necessary to use weapons. In ancient societies such as those of the time when Chinese characters were created, weapons were thus an essential element of communal life, and that is why they play a major role within the Chinese characters, as a symbol of the preservation of a territory. The concept of territory also gives rise to the concept of space. A territory can be interpreted in terms of several kinds of space: the vertical space—which has to do with the relationship between heaven and earth–; the horizontal space—which has to do with distances–; and the circular space—which has to do with inhabited and controlled telluric territories. Within these spaces or territories, societies also build buildings that become part of the landscape, from four walls that form a hut, to palaces and watchtowers end up conforming villages and cities interconnected by roads. The different aspects of the territorial realm can be sorted out, then, through the following three groups: Characters used to represent weapons, characters used to represent spaces, and lastly, characters used to represent man-made constructions.

WEAPONS

SPACES

1. Daggers 2. Pole Weapons 3. Axes 4. Defensive Weapons 5. Bows and Arrows

1. The Vertical Plane 2. The Horizontal Plane 3. The Circular Plane

478

CONSTRUCTIONS 1. Walls and Roofs 2. Doors 3. Tall Buildings 4. Roads

THE TERRITORIAL REALM AT A GLANCE WEAPONS

SPACES

479

CONSTRUCTIONS

WEAPONS 1 | DAGGERS

One of the most basic weapons is the knife or ‘dagger’ which is characterized by a sharp, cutting ‘blade’

刀,

刃. Initially,

daggers can be useful for cutting meat, plants or ropes, but also for killing prey. This function would soon also adopt a ritual aspect in religious sacrifices. In such sacrifices the weapon used would be a dagger with a thicker blade 氏, a ritual dagger that would ultimately also serve to denote clerical family clans and their ‘surnames’.

⼑

刀 刂

1475

Ⓡ

Dagger

トウ かたな

saber

A dagger with its blade slightly curved. The current glyph is visibly schematized, with a curved line 丿 and another bent line 𠃌, representing the blade of a dagger or knife pointing downwards. Some graph examples of the bronze script like or character.

more clearly show the pictographic origin of the

The original meaning of ‘dagger’ gets expanded when the character acts as a standalone and also in some compounds to that of ‘saber’. 480

In many compounds this sinogram adopts a simplified version: 刂, or , in which the original shape of the blade is more noticeable.

Bronze dagger of the Shang dynasty

別

1476

ベツ

別 わか.れる 剣

剣 帰

帰

Pile of bones 𠮠 cut with a dagger 刂 to separate 1477

ケン

ケン つるぎ

キ かえ.る

Authority 㑒 shown in a dagger 刂 sword Saber sweeping 帚 enemies in order to make possible the return home to come home ショウ

削

削

サク けず.る

1478

Cereals and meet 肖 cut with a dagger 刂 to sharpen 481

1479

剰

剰

1480

ジョウ

ジョウ

Tops of trees 乗 cut with a saber 刂 surplus カン

券

券

Paper rolled up  and cut with a ケン

dagger 刀 ticket ガイ

刻

刻 劇

劇 解

解 判

判

1481

コク きざ.む

Framework 亥 drawn with a dagger

1482

刂 on a surface to carve Tiger 虍 and a hog 豕 attacked by a

1483

saber 刂

ゲキ

drama カイ ゲ と.く

1484

Horns 角 of an ox 牛 cut with a saber 刀

to loosen ハン

ハン バン

Something cut in half 半 with a saber 刂

judgement

482

1485

刷

刷

サツ す.る

A mold sitting 尸 on a cloth 巾 cut

1486

with a dagger 刂 to print 1487

ショ

初

初

はじ.め はつ そ.める うい-

Cloths 衤 cut with a dagger 刀 in order to make clothes beginning

ロク

剥

ハク

剥

は.ぐ

班

班

Rope of a pulley 录 cut off with a

1488

dagger 刂 to tear off ハン

ハン

1489

Several jewels 玨 being cut by a dagger

squad

NOTE In reference to a military squad distributing a booty among the group.

483

1490

罰

罰

バチ バツ

Net 罒 capturing a criminal that makes a confessional speech 言 whereupon a punishment through a dagger 刂 is made

punishment 1491

剛

剛 割

割 副

副 剤

剤

コウ

Ridge 岡 of daggers 刂

ゴウ

sturdy カツ わ.れる さ.く

1492

ガイ

Harm 害 caused with dagger 刂 to crack 1493

フク

フク

Big wine vessel

cut with a saber 刂

additional 1494

セイ

ザイ

列

列

Even 斉 cut made with a dagger 刂 dose 1495

Cut bone remains

レツ

array

Bone remains (⽍) that are cut with a dagger (刀 ➝ 刂) and orderly placed, arrayed, for burials or sacrifices. 484

例

レツ

レイ

Person 亻 next to an array of bones 列

例 たと.える 烈

烈

to liken 1497

レツ

レツ

Cut bone remains 列 on fire 灬 ardent 1498

レツ

裂

レツ

Bone remains cut 列 like clothes 衣

裂

さ.く

to tear

召

召

1496

1499

ショウ

Words and a dagger

め.す

to summon

Words (口) pronounced while making a sacrifice with a dagger (刀) in order summon some deity or ancestor.

詔

ショウ

ショウ

詔 みことのり 招

招

ショウ まぬ.く

1500

Speech 言 that summons 召 imperial edict Hand 扌 holding a saber while ショウ

summoning words 召 are pronounced to beckon 485

1501

超

超 沼

沼 紹

紹

1502

ショウ

チョウ

Running 走 summoning 召

こ.える

to transcend

ショウ ぬま

ショウ

1503

ショウ

1504

Water 氵 that seems to summon 召 people or deities marsh

Thread 糸 linking the summoner 召 ショウ

and the summoned introduction

昭

昭

1505

Summoned sun

ショウ

glittering

The Sun (日) responding with its glittering to its allegorical ショウ

summoning (召).

照

照

ショウ

ショウ

Glittering 昭 fire 灬

て.らす

to shine

486

1506

1507

分

分

Dagger cutting and distributing ➀ to part

➀ブ ➀ ブン ➁ フン ➀ わ.ける ➂ わ.かる

➁ minute ➂ to understand

A metaphorical dagger (刀) cutting and distributing (八 ➝ ハ ) something, a representation of the division of parts. The meaning of ‘understanding’ derives from the notion of having to divide something into parts in order to analyze it in detail and thus comprehend the whole.

頒

頒

1508

フン

ハン

Divided 分 heads 頁 dissemination

NOTE ‘Heads’ understood here as ‘people’.

雰

雰

フン

フン

1509

Rain 雨 that gets divided 分 atmosphere

NOTE Originally this character referred to ‘mist’. Over time the sense of ‘mist' got expanded into that of air or ‘atmosphere’.

487

1510

粉

粉 紛

フン こ こな

フン

Grains 米 that got divided 分 powder フン

フン

紛 まぎ.れる

1511

Threads 糸 that get divided 分 to be diverted 1512

貧

ビン ヒン

フン

Division 分 of money 貝

貧 まず.しい 盆

盆

poor 1513

フン

ボン

Divided 分 vessel 皿 tray

NOTE In the sense that a tray is a vessel without lid nor handles: a divided vessel.

㓞

1514

Lush plant cut by a dagger

A dagger (刀) cutting a lush plant (丰 ➝

488

).

潔

潔

ゲツ いさぎよ. い

Water 氵 and cut lush plants

tied

1515

together with a thread 糸 unsullied

NOTE In reference to a sort of rudimentary broom made with a bunch of plants that cleans and purifies things or people with the help of water.

契

契

1516

ケイ

Person cutting a lush plant

ちぎ.る

to pledge

A person seen from the front (大) cutting some lush plants ( ) that he will give as an offering when making an oath or pledge.

喫

喫

Mouth 口 eating lush plants that have

1517

ケイ

been cut by a person 契

キツ

consumption

制

制

1518

セイ

Saber cutting tree branches system

A saber (刀 ➝ 刂) cutting tree branches (朱 ➝ ), indicating the collection of material to build something, which implies a sequential process based on an organized system.

489

製

製

1519

セイ

セイ

System 制 of clothes 衣 production manufacture

利

リ

利

き.く

Fruits bore by a tree being cut with a dagger

1520

profit

Fruits of fruit trees (禾) cut by a dagger (刀 ➝ 刂), giving rise to a possible profit.

梨

梨 痢

痢

1521

Profitable 利 tree 木

なし

pear tree リ

リ

1522

Illness 疒 that becomes profitable 利 diarrhea

NOTE It may refer either to the fact that it is beneficial to be cured of a disease by expelling the bad things through diarrhea or, allegorically, to the fact that the abundance of animal excrement is profitable if used as fertilizer in the field.

則

則

1523

Money and sabers

ソク

rule

The implicit power derived from economy, money (貝), and the 490

military, sabers (刀 ➝ 刂). The legitimate and instigating power that establishes the rules and practices of a given society.

側

側

ソク

ソク がわ

1524

Person 亻 next to money and sabers 則 side ソク

測

ソク

Water’s 氵 rules 則

測

はか.る

to fathom

1525

NOTE It denotes the need to fathom or deduce the movements of water flows to prevent catastrophic flooding, which was a common threat in ancient times.

刃

刃

1526

Edge of a dagger

ジン は

blade

The edge of a dagger (刀), the blade, deliberately marked by an extra stroke (㇔) that highlights it.

忍

忍

1527

ニン

Edge of the heart

しの.ぶ

to put up with

Ideographic compound that allegorically depicts a heart (心) that ジン

has been injured with the blade of a dagger (刃), feelings of emotional pain that one sometimes has to endure.

491

認

ニン

ニン

1528

Speech 言that puts up with something 忍

認 みと.める

to recognize 1529

⽒

氏

シ うじ

Dagger with a thick blade surname

A dagger placed face down with a curved handle and a blade thicker than normal. The current glyph is a schematization of the curved handle of a dagger ( ) and the blade (㇂), whose wider-than-normal thickness was originally indicated with a kind of circle that later became linearized by the stroke (一). The joint shape of the handle and the blade ( ) is similar to the reversed form of the character for “knife” (刀 ➝ ). The dagger represented by this character probably alludes to a type of ritual dagger used to carry out sacrifices, a task reserved for the shamanic or clerical class, which presumably liked or required to mark such an important object with distinguishing signs that would ultimately be associated with that particular clan or family of high social status. In ancient times it was only these families of high social status that could be recognized by a specific symbol or name, something that would eventually lead to the concept of ‘surname’.

492

Ritual jade dagger with a slightly curved handle and a thick blade

婚

婚 紙

紙

Woman 女 speaking 曰 of her new

1530

surname 氏

コン

marriage

シ かみ

Plant threads 糸 cut with a thick

1531

シ

dagger 氏 in order to produce paper paper

氐

氐

1532

テイ

Dagger stuck on the ground Ground

A surface, the ground (一), on which a thick dagger (氏) is stuck. 1533

低

低

テイ

テイ

Person 亻 looking at the ground 氐

ひく.い

low

493

抵

抵

テイ

テイ

民

民

1534

Hand 扌 leaning towards the ground 氐

resistance 1535

ミン たみ

Eye pierced by a dagger common people

A distorted eye—without the mark of the pupil (⼞)—pierced with a thick blade ( )—like the one of the character 氏 (thick dagger). It symbolizes a subject to whom his power of vision has been reduced in order to be easily controlled. The meaning of this glyph refers, in extension, to that of ‘common people’, subjects subordinated to a given authority.

ミン

眠

ミン

Eye 目 with its vision power reduced 民

眠

ねむ.る

to sleep

七

七㐅

1536

1537

シチ

Cut

なな.つ なの-

seven

Originally it represents a cross mark or a slice (十), which later derived into the curved form 七 in order to be differentiated with the glyph 十 (ten). In any case, this borrowing can be understood as a connection between the importance of bone marks in religious-divinatory rites (卜) and their close relationship with the seven great stars visible 494

in the sky -also known as the seven luminaries (七曜): The sun, the moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. As a component, this character can take the slanted form 㐅.

叱

叱 刈

刈

シチ

シツ

Words 口 that hurt like a cut 七

しか.る

to scold

1538

1539

か.る

Criss-cross cuts 㐅 made with a dagger 刂

to mow 1540

切

切

セツ サイ

Cut made with a dagger to cut

き.る シチ

The action of ‘cutting’ (七) reinforced with the character for “dagger” (刀), a saber making a cut.

杀

1541

Cut rice plant

サツ

Originally 𣏂 [㐅术], grains of rice distributed (

サツ

➝ 术 ➝ 木)

by cuts (七 ➝ 㐅) made in the rice plant, a cut rice plant.

495

1542

殺

殺 刹

刹

サツ サイ セツ

Cut rice plant

勿

勿

hit with a weapon

⽎ to kill

ころ.す

セツ サツ

サツ

Place where rice plants are cut

サツ

1543

with a dagger 刂 to make offerings shrine 1544

Several cuts

モチ

㊔

not

The blade of a dagger (刀 ➝ 勹) making several cuts (㇒ 丿). 1545

物

物

ブツ モツ もの

モチ

Cattle 牜 killed by several cuts 勿 thing

NOTE A dead ox or cow is no longer a living being, but a still good: a thing.

496

2 | POLE WEAPONS In the battles of yesteryear, all kinds of melee weapons were used, among which, pole weapons, like ‘spears’ 矛 could give a great defensive advantage by allowing people to attack from a prudential distance. There was also a type of pole weapon that was even purely defensive, such as the sasumata or ‘bident’ 干, used in police ‘interventions’ to trap criminals. Weapons more suited for attack were things such a simple ‘stakes’ evolution, which are ‘dagger-axes’ such as ‘halberds’ halberds’

⼷, their direct

戈, a further development,

戊 or even a more sophisticated ‘thick-bladed

戌.

⽭

矛

1546

ム ほこ

spear

Ⓡ

A spear with a pointed tip ( ), an elongated shaft (亅) and a rope (乛, ㇒) that serve as a grabber. The current glyph is quite different from the original form, but resembles some other later versions of the pictogram in which the rope grabber is more visible:

.

497

Spear

柔

柔

1547

ジュウ ニュウ

Spear 矛 of wood 木

やわら. かい

務

務

pliant

ム つと.める

Hand strongly wielding a weapon against a spear

1548

to serve (in/as)

A hand holding a weapon (攵) that uses force (力) against an enemy spear (矛), in reference to the duty of the use of an armed force that people serving in the military have.

霧

霧

1549

ム

ム きり

Clouds serving 務 to form rain ⻗ fog 1550

⼲

干

Bident

➀ ➁ カン ➁ ほ.す ➁ ひ.る

➀ intervention ➁ to dry

A spear with a thick shaft (十)—in which the horizontal line 一 acts as a linearized depiction of the thickness—with a kind of hook with two prongs (一) that is used to immobilize the adversary. A weapon that is fairly commonly used in Asia even today, and which is called in Japan sasumata (刺股). In the West there is also a type of 498

similar traditional weapon called bident (double-pointed spear). This weapon is used when one does not want to inflict serious harm on the opponent (for example, when the opponent is a petty criminal), a situation that arises in police interventions, hence the meaning of ‘intervention’. The meaning of ‘to dry’ is due to the fact that the glyph 干 was used since ancient times as a folk alternative for the character 乾 (to dry), whose pronunciation is identical.

Head of a bident

カン

肝

肝 汗

汗 岸

岸

カン きも

Body part 月 that intervenes 干 in

1551

digestion liver 1552

カン

カン あせ

ガン きし

Water 氵 intervening 干 in cooling sweat Mountains 山 and cliffs ⼚ where カン

water becomes dry 干 coast 499

1553

カン

1554

Part of a tool held like a bident 干 that

幹

幹

カン みき

is straight like a person

waking up カン

with the early sun handle (of a tool) trunk (of a tree)

軒

軒

ケン のき

Parts of a chariot 車 shaped like カン

bidents 干 eaves カン

刊

刊

1555

Dry element 干 that can be cut with a カン

1556

dagger 刂 publication

开

1557

Two bidents

ケイ

Flat

Two double-pointed spear or bidents (干×2 ➝ 幵 ➝ 开). This component adopts the meaning of ‘flat’ or ‘becoming flat’. This meaning comes from the presumption that two bidents or sasumatas facing each other result in a draw, in a flat or equal outcome, because the sasumata acts as immobilizing defense weapon that prevents the performing of any attack.

500

1558

形

形

ギョウ ケイ かた かたち

研

ケン

研

と.ぐ

Flat surface

ケイ

a brush’ hair 彡 draws on

shape

Stone 石 becoming flat

1559

ケイ

to sharpen 1560

刑

刑

Equalizer saber

ケイ

penalty ケイ

A saber (刀 ➝ 刂) that acts as an equalizer or flattener ( ) of society, as it is used to give penalties.

型

型

ケイ

Equalized 刑 soil 土

ケイ かた

挿

挿

1561

model

ソウ さ.す

Hand introducing a bident in a hollow vessel

1562

to penetrate

Originally 插 [扌千⾅], a hand (手 ➝ 扌) grasping a bident (干 ➝ 千) that is inserted into an hollow container (臼 ➝ 曰). 501

This ideogram is certainly understood as the representation of a culinary tool with two prongs (干), graph and meaning analogous to that of “pestle” (午). 1563

⼷

弋

Stake

Ⓡ

Successiveness

A stake (㇂) traversing the ground (一) and with a knob (丶) at the top, presumably made with a small branch. This component quite often refers to the concept of ‘successiveness’ or ‘replacement’, as stakes are tools that can be nailed in one place temporarily, then removed and nailed back to another place, successively.

弐

弐

One rod 一 that can be used twice 二 ニ

1564

like a stake ⼷ two (in legal documents) 1565

代

代

➀ ➁ タイ Person replaced like a stake ➀ ➁ ダイ ➀ to supersede ➀ か.わる ➁ generation ➁よ ➂ しろ ➂ substitution

A person (人 ➝ 亻) succeeding another as a stake (⼷) that can be used again several times in succession. 502

タイ

袋

袋

タイ ふくろ

貸

are stored sack

SPECIAL READING

貸

Place where substitute 代 clothes 衣

1566

足袋 [たび]: Japanese socks with split toe 1567

タイ

タイ

Superseded 代 money 貝

か.す

to lend

式

式

Craft done in order

1568

ceremony

シキ

style

A craft (工) made with an established and consecutive order, through a series of movements that follow each other as the use of stakes (⼷).

拭

拭

ショク ぬぐ.う ふ.く

1569 シキ

Hand 扌 moving in order 式 to wipe

503

1570

試

試

シ

シキ

Speech 言 made in order 式

こころ. みる

to test

ため.す

1571

必

Distributed stakes

ヒツ

必 尗 かなら.ず Stakes (⼷ ➝ 义 ➝

necessarily

) that are distributed (八 ➝ ハ) on the

ground, an action that is necessary in some important activities such as the establishment of military camps. As a component the character can adopt the form 尗, which is somewhat more faithful to the original graphic composition.

泌

泌

ヒツ

ヒツ ヒ

Fluid 氵 that is necessarily expelled 必 secretion ヒツ

秘

ヒ

秘

Prosperity 禾 turned into necessity 必

ひ.める

to conceal

叔

叔

1572

1573

1574

シュク

Hand distributing stakes uncle

504

SPECIAL READING

叔父 [おじ]: uncle

An outstretched hand (又) distributing stakes (尗 = 必), in what can be thought as the establishment of a military camp. This ideogram suggests a leadership role, a close but authoritative figure, such that of an ‘uncle’.

督

督 淑

淑

1575

シュク

トク

Eye 目 of an uncle 叔 supervision シュク

シュク

⼽

戈

1576

Water 氵 given by an uncle 叔 graceful 1577

Dagger-axe

Ⓡ

A weapon with an elongated blade shaped like a dagger (一), a rear spike (丶), a long shaft (㇂) and a support foot (㇒). A weapon known by the term ‘dagger-axe’.

Head of a dagger-axe

505

1578 タン

戦

➀ ➁ セン Capturing net 単 and dagger-axe 戈 ➀ ➀ to battle たたか.う

戦 ➁ いくさ

➁ war

NOTE Ideogram that associates weapons such as dagger-axes with the action or intention of capturing the enemy: a battle.

戯

戯 賊

賊

ギ たわむ. れる

ゾク

1579

Dagger-axes 戈 brandished at the void 虚

spectacle Money 貝 taken by cuts 㐅 ➝ 十 made with halberds 戈

1580

rebel

伐

伐

バツ

Dagger-axe through a person's body

1581

felling

A dagger-axe (戈) passing through the neck or body of a person (人 ➝ 亻), metaphorically felling him down.

506

戒

戒

カイ いまし. める

1582

Two hands grabbing a dagger-axe to warn against

Two hands (⼶) raising a dagger-axe (戈) in sign of threat or warning.

械

械

カイ

カイ

1583

Wooden object 木 used to warn people 戒

appliance

NOTE The original meaning of this compound was that of ‘shackles’ or ‘fetter’, but in modern Japanese the character is used almost exclusively in the word 機械 (きかい, mechanism).

戠

戠

ショク

Dagger-axe producing sound

1584

Contention

The sound (音) produced by a dagger-axe (戈) colliding with another, an allegorical symbol of contention or discussion.

職

職

ショク

ショク

Ear 耳 listening to contentions 戠 employment

507

1585

識

識 織

織

ショク

シキ

シキ ショク

1586

Speech 言 on contentions 戠 knowledge Threads 糸 intertwining like clashing

1587

ショク

halberds making sound 戠 weave

我

我

➀ガ ➀ われ ➁わ

Hand grabbing a dagger-axe

1588

➀I ➁ my

A hand grabbing (手 ≈ 爪) a dagger-axe (戈), showing power or a certain status of nobility within a warrior stratum that infers a right to distinction and recognition of the person: an exaltation of the ego.

餓

餓

Food 飠 approached by a hand

1589

ガ

grabbing a dagger-axe 我

ガ

hunger

義

義

ギ

Hand grabbing a daggeraxe to be nailed in a sacrificial sheep righteousness

508

1590

ガ

A hand holding a dagger-axe (我) in order to slaughter a sheep (羊 ➝

) that is about to be given in sacrifice as an offering to the

gods, the sacrifice of an auspicious animal assuring goodness and righteousness.

儀

儀 議

議 犠

犠

1591

ギ

ギ

Person 亻 that is righteous 義 etiquette 1592

ギ

ギ

Speech 言 that is righteous 義 deliberation ギ

ギ

1593

Cattle 牛 becoming righteous 義 sacrifice 1594

サイ

Originally

Dagger-axe handled with talent サイ

[才戈], and later 𢦒, the talent (才 ➝

➝ 十) shown

in the handling of a dagger-axe (戈), or out put in other words: a weapon managed with talent.

509

戴

戴 栽

栽

Sort of mask 異 put on a person who サイ

タイ

handles halberds with talent coronation

サイ

Trees 木 distributed with talent

サイ

裁 繊

繊

➀ ➁ サイ ➀ た.つ ➁ さば.く

Clothes 衣 cut with talent

1597

➀ to cut cloth ➁ to judge Threads 糸 cut with talent

セン

1596

plantation サイ

裁

1595

サイ

and

1598

rounded into a bowl 亚 ← 豆 fiber 1599

載

載

サイ

サイ

Chariot 車 driven with talent

の.せる

幾

幾

to get on

キ

Person cutting small thicks of thread with a dagger-axe

how much

510

1600

A person armed with a dagger-axe ((人 + 戈) ➝ 戍) recounting several silk cocoons (𢆶), in reference to an authoritarian figure intervening as a moderator or accounting witness in a commercial activity.

機

機

キ

キ はた

㦮

㦮

1601

Wooden utensils 木 useful for counting 幾

mechanism 1602

Dagger-axe fight

セン

Originally 戔 [戈戈], two dagger-axes (戈×2) clashing with each other, representing a confrontation. The strokes of the upper part of the original glyph went through a simplification resulting in the strokes 彡 and 丶.

残

ザン

残

のこ.る

践

践

Bone remains ⽍ left after a daggerセン

axe fight 㦮 leftover Tracks 足 left by feet running out of a セン

セン

1603

dagger-axe fight 㦮

tread

511

1604

浅

浅 桟

桟

セン

Water 氵 on top of which a dagger-axe セン

battle 㦮 can be made

あさ.い

shallow Piece of wood 木 that gets intersected

サン

箋

1606

セン

like two clashing halberds 㦮 cleat Slips of bamboo ⺮ where letters are

箋

1605

セン

1607

written intertwined like two clashing セン

halberds 㦮 slip of paper

NOTE Originally referring to the ancient books or notebooks written on bamboo strips that were used during the Shang dynasty.

戊

戊

1608

Halberd

ボ

Ⓡ ㊔

A pole weapon similar a dagger-axe (戈) but with the blade having a crescent curvature (丿) instead of the shape a dagger.

512

Chinese halberd

越

越 茂

茂 戚

戚

エツ

Running 走 while holding a halberd 戊 ➝戉

こ.える

モ

1609

to cross over Plants 艹 susceptible of being cut with

1610

a halberd 戊

しげ.る

to overgrow 1611

セキ

Halberds 戊 and stakes 尗 kin

NOTE Related weapons, since stakes, when used as weapons, are a primitive form of halberd.

蔵

蔵

ゾウ くら

Halberd being watched out behind some plants warehouse

513

1612

A place covered with plants (艹) where weapons such as halberds (戊) are kept and watched by eyes looking down (臣). An allegorical representation of a place where valuable objects are stored.

臓

臓

ゾウ

1613

Body part 月 acting as a warehouse 蔵

ゾウ

viscera 1614

セイ ジョウ

成

成

Halberd nailed somewhere to result in

な.る テイ

Originally 成 [戊丁], a halberd (戊) nailed (丁 ➝ 𠃌) somewhere, symbolizing the conquest of a territory, a concrete result.

誠

誠 城

城

セイ

セイ まこと

Speech 言 that gives results 成 sincerity セイ

ジョウ しろ

1615

Soil 土 nailed with halberds 成 castle

514

1616

1617

盛

盛

➀ ➁ セイ ➁ ジウ ➀ も.る ➁ さか.る

セイ

Results 成 manifested in dishes 皿 ➀ to fill up ➁ to prosper 1618

戌

Big halberd

戌

A halberd (戊) with a blade broader than normal, which is marked by a horizontal stroke (一).

Head of a Chinese halberd with a broad blade

威

威 滅

1619

イ

メツ

滅 ほろ.びる

Woman 女 holding a big halberd 戌 intimidation Water 氵 floods, fire 火 and big halberds 戌 to be ruined 515

1620

NOTE Implying the destruction caused by a war.

歳

歳

サイ セイ

Time when one stops 止 being small 小 and takes a big halberd 戌 age

SPECIAL READING

蔑

1621

二十歳 [はたち]: twenty years old 1622

Head crossed by a big halberd

ベツ さげす.む

to discard

The head of a person—represented by the eyes (罒) and eyelashes (艹)—pierced by a big halberd (戌). A discarded enemy.

武

武

ブ ム

1623

Marching with a thick blade dagger-axe military

Group in which steps (止) take place while carrying big halberds (戌 ➝ ): the military.

賦

賦

ブ

フ

Money 貝 collected by the military 武 levy

516

1624

3 | AXES Axes, like daggers, are objects that can be used both as work tools and weapons. That is why there are several types of axes, such as the primitive small ‘axes’

斤—used merely as tools—, or battle

axes 士, which, when properly marked, served to tell apart different clans of noble ‘gentlemen’, within which, who carried the largest battle axe 王, was distinguished as the leader of the clans or, eventually, the ‘king’.

⽄

斤

Axe

1625

Ⓡ

unit of weight

キン

[~0.6 kg]

A rudimentary axe or hatchet, with its handle (丨) and a blade leaned to the left ( ).

Primitive stone axe

517

析

析 質

質 匠

匠

1626

セキ

シツ シチ チ

Tree 木 cut with an axe 斤 chop 1627

Axes 斤×2 exchanged for money 貝 matter 1628

Axes 斤 and boxes 匚

ショウ

artisan 1629

断

断

➀➁ ダン

Stored rice grains

being cut off with

an axe 斤

➀ た.つ ➁

➀ to sever

ことわ.る

➁ to dismiss

折

セツ

折

お.る

Hand holding an axe

1630

to break to fold

A hand (手 ➝ 扌) holding an axe (斤) to split—or break—some object or structure. The meaning of ‘folding’ probably comes from the image of a tree trunk chopped with an axe that has fallen bent or ‘folded’.

518

哲

哲

1631

セツ

Folded 折 words 口

テツ

wisdom

NOTE A series of words that can be ‘folded’ in the sense that they can show various faces, deep words, full of wisdom.

誓

誓

1632

セツ

セイ

Folded 折 speech 言

ちか.う

to vow

NOTE A speech or series of words that is embodied in a folded document and delivered to a religious institution.

兵

兵

1633

ヘイ ヒョウ

Two hands grabbing an axe soldier

The person who, with his two hands (⼶ ➝ soldier.

浜

浜

), grabs an axe (斤): a

ヘイ

ヒン はま

斬

斬

1634

Water 氵 whereby soldiers 兵 camp seashore

ザン き.る

Axe attack made while riding a chariot to slice (off) 519

1635

An axe (斤) used while riding a chariot (車) that is, thanks to its moving speed, stroke with such force that it slices what it encounters.

暫

暫 漸

漸

1636

ザン

Slice 斬 of the sun 日

ザン

temporarily Water 氵 moving as the result of a

1637

ザン

slicing cut 斬

ゼン

steadily

斥

斥

1638

Split axe

セキ

rejection

An axe (斤) split or cut (㐅 ➝ ㇏) in the middle, a weapon or tool that is rejected due to its lack of functionality. 1639

訴

訴

ソ うった. える

⼠

士

Speech 言 that might be rejected 斥 to accuse Battle axe knight

シ

gentleman

520

1640

Ⓡ

A large battle axe, with a big blade (一) and a handle (十) whose thickness is marked by a horizontal line (一). Battle axes were a characteristic object of knights—associated with gentlemen of the nobility—because their wide blades allowed to show a range of symbols characteristic of a certain clan. The upper horizontal line of this character appears longer than the lower one as a consensus to differentiate this graph from the character for “earth” (土).

Blade of a bronze ceremonial axe from Shang dynasty China

1641

仕

シ ジ

シ

Person 亻 next to a gentleman 士

仕 つか.える 壮

壮

to work for 1642

Battle axe on a table

ソウ

robust ショウ

A battle axe (士) on a table (丬), as a symbol of nobility and strength.

521

荘

荘

1643

ソウ

ソウ

Plant field 艹 that is robust 壮 manor 1644

装

ソウ ショウ

ソウ

Putting robust 壮 clothes 衣

装 よそお.う 吉

吉

to dress 1645

キチ キツ

Words of a gentleman good luck

Ceremonial words (口) pronounced by gentlemen (士) of the noble class in order to wish good luck and prosperity for the clan or nation.

詰

詰

1646

キツ

キツ

Speech 言 of good luck 吉

つ.める

to focus on 1647

結

結

ケツ むす.ぶ ゆ.う

キツ

Thread 糸 that assuring good luck 吉 to tie

NOTE Perhaps in relation to the complex Chinese decorative knots (中国結), probably used in the past as decorative elements of religious rituals.

522

Conceptualization of the 'endless knot' (盤長), considered as an auspicious symbol

王

王

1648

Big battle axe

オウ

Ⓡ

king

A battle axe (士 ➝ 土) with a size that is larger than normal, riveted by the upper stroke (一) that suggests a hilt. While a standard battle axe is indicative of a noble class of knights, a greater axe is indicative of the leader of that class, which consequently derives into the concept of ‘king’.

Blade of a big bronze axe from Shang dynasty China

弄

オウ

ロウ

弄 もてあそ.ぶ

Big battle axe 王 held by two hands ⼶

to trifle with

523

1649

旺

旺

1650

オウ

Sun 日 and king 王

オウ

vigorous 1651

望

望

ボウ モウ

Perished 亡 body 月 of the king 王

のぞ.む

to wish for

SPECIAL READING

ボウ

オウ

望月 [もちづき]: full moon

NOTE Understood as the wish for the return of a deceased king.

皇

皇

狂

Clearest 白 king 王

オウ コウ

SPECIAL READING

狂

1652

オウ

emperor 天皇 [てんのう]: emperor of Japan

オウ

キョウ

Animal 犭 acting like a king 王

くる.う

to rage

呈

呈

テイ

Words pronounced before the king

1653

1654

presentation

Words (口) pronounced before the king (王), a presentation or 524

offering to the sovereign power.

聖

聖 程

程

1655

Ear 耳 of the king who listens to a テイ

セイ

presentation made before him 呈 holy テイ

テイ ほど

Prosperity 禾 presented before the king 呈

extent

525

1656

4 | DEFENSIVE WEAPONS After having seen a series of attack weapons, it is only natural that the corpus of Chinese should also refer to the defensive weapon par excellence: the shield with any kind of ‘armor’.

甲

甲

甲, which would later be associated

Shield

カン コウ

1657

armor 1st

Pictogram of a rudimentary circular shield with an opening in the middle (曰), crossed by a handle (丨), an image taken later to indicate any type of protective armor. The main current meaning of this character is that of ‘first in rank’, meaning that originates from the Sinitic ordinal system known as Heavenly Stems (天干), in which ten concrete primitive characters are used to designate different ordinal positions, among which 甲 takes the first one, before 乙 (オツ). The adoption of this graph to mean ‘first’ may be due to the linkage of bone shells—associated with armors—with divination, being that material the first thing one needs to perform divination activities.

Rudimentary circular shield

526

押

押 岬

岬

コウ

オウ

Hand 扌 holding an armor 甲

お.す

to push

1658

1659

みさき

盾

盾

Mountain 山 acting as an armor 甲 cape (on coast) 1660

ジュン たて

Person holding a shield shield

A person (人 ➝ ⼚) holding a shield (甲 ➝

527

).

5 | BOWS AND ARROWS The last type of weapons that appear within the Chinese character corpus are those that grant an advantage at a distance, the projectile weapons: bows and arrows. Most bows in Chinese antiquity had a serpentine shape, as they were composite ‘bows’:

弓. These bows were tied with

thick strings 引 that, when they were ‘pulled’, could throw their projectile at a great distance. If, on the contrary, that string got detached from its bow, it became a loose ‘rope’ 𢎗 that could be used for other tasks. The bows would be useless, however, if it were not for their ‘arrows’

矢, capable of following a fixed path and passing

through the ‘middle’ of a hoop 中 in shooting practice. In order for the flight of an arrow to be optimal and its impact to be striking, special attention had to be paid to the arrowheads 入, which should be made of a metal sharp enough for them to ‘enter’ the surface of what they hit.

弓

弓

1661

キュウ ゆみ

bow

Ⓡ

A composite bow. In the modern form of the character the string is not visible anymore, and only the limbs and handle (弓) are left.

528

Chinese composite bow

張

張

チョウ

チョウ

Bow 弓 with an elongated string 長

は.る

to stretch 1663

キュウ

強

強

➀ ➁ Bow 弓 string that makes energy flow キョウ 厶 and is thick as a serpent ⾍ ➀ ➁ ゴウ ➀ strong ➀ つよ.い ➁し.いる ➁ to force コ

弧

弧 弥

弥

1662

Bow 弓 shaped like a gourd plant’s 瓜 コ

1664

hanging stem arc 1665

や

Bow 弓 that is embroidered 尓 relaxing a bow

529

TRIBE NAME USAGE

弦

弦 湾

湾

弥⽣ [やよい]: Yayoi 1666

ゲン

Bow's 弓 dim 玄 part

ゲン つる

string Water’s 氵energy distributed 亦 along

ワン

the coast in the form of a bow 弓 gulf タン

弾

弾

1667

➀ ダン ➀ たま ➁ はず.む ➂ ひ.く

1668

Bow 弓 that is simple 単 ➀ bullet ➁ to be encouraged ➂ to play (an instrument)

NOTE 1. A bow-and–arrow-like weapon simplified to the simplest form: a bullet. 2. A bow that is simple to be handled: a bow whose use is encouraged. 3. A simple bow string: something that plays music. 1669

弱

ジャク

Bows with hairy strings

弱

よわ.い

weak

Some bows (弓×2) whose strings are full of hairs (彡 ➝ ⼎冫×2), that is, bows with frayed strings. Neglected bows whose functionality is weakened. 530

溺

ジャク

デキ

Water 氵 that weakens people 弱

おぼ.れる

to drown

発

発

ハツ ホツ

Hand putting a bow string in motion

1670

1671

launch

Two hands (⼶ ➝ ) grabbing the string of a bow (一), that gets propelled so that the projectile, the arrow, flies upward (癶). A scene that represents the throwing, or launching of an arrow.

引

引

1672

Tense string of a bow

イン ひ.く

to pull

The string (丨) of a bow (弓) being pulled, tightened and stretched. 1673

弓

Loose string of a bow

𢎗

Rope

A string detached from its bow, loose, visibly curved. In modern writing this component takes a form that is virtually identical to the character for “bow” (弓), perhaps due to a semantic association.

531

1674

弟

弟

ダイ Stake being tied with a rope デ テイ younger brother おとうと

A rope (𢎗) being tied to a stake nailed to the ground (⼷ ≈ ). The action of nailing and tying stakes during the establishment of a military camp, a mechanic activity relegated to people with little or none authority. If the activity of distributing the stakes suggests the idea of a leader or family member with authority as an uncle (叔), the activity of tying the stakes firmly suggests the idea of a family member forced to follow orders, as is the younger brother.

第

第

Bamboo slips ⺮ sequentially ordered ダイ

1675

ダイ

as older and younger brothers 弟 ➝ 𢎨 ordinary number

弗

1676

Several stakes being tied together

弗 Two stakes ((⼷ ≈

Annulment )×2 ➝

) tied together by a rope (𢎗), stakes

that cancel out their stabilizing function to each other, because instead of being tied to a tent they happen to be tied among themselves.

532

沸

沸 費

1677

フツ

Water 氵 becoming nullified 弗

わ.かす

to seethe 1678

ヒ

Money 貝 becoming nullified 弗

費 つい.やす

to spend 1679

弔

チョウ

Person hanging from a rope

弔

とむら.う

to mourn

Originally 𢎣 [亻𢎗], a person (人 ➝ 亻 ➝ 丨) hanging from a rope (𢎗), dead due to suicide or execution. Mourning aroused by a violent death.

⽮

矢

1680

シ や

arrow

Ⓡ

A big arrow with a pointed head ( ) on top, two vanes (人) at the bottom, and a shaft that has its thickness marked by a horizontal line (一).

533

Standard arrow

挨

挨 族

族

Hand 扌 making flow the energy 厶 of an

アイ

1681

arrow 矢 in order to make it reach a target

approach 1682

ゾク

Arrows 矢 under the same flag

tribe

NOTE Various people fighting or hunting under the same flag: a specific tribe or clan.

族

1683

タン

Arrow 矢 that fits in a bowl with a lid 豆

短 みじか.い 医

医

short Arrows 矢 being removed from

イ

wounded people and left in a box 匚 doctor

534

1684

知

知

チ し.る

Words penetrating like arrows

1685

to know

The ability to pronounce a few words (口)—on a particular topic— シ

with the speed and penetration of an arrow (矢). Perhaps this compound also referred, in origin, to discussions or conversations about bow hunting, an activity for which a certain knowledge is required.

痴

痴

チ

チ

1686

Illness 疒 of the lack of knowledge 知 foolish

侯

侯

コウ

Person practicing archery on a cliff

1687

marquis

Originally 𥎦 [⼚⽮], an arrow (矢) being shot from a cliff (⼚), referring to the activity of archery, firstly done by hunters that later would be transformed into noblemen or ‘marquises’. Later on, a component for “person” (人 ➝ ⺈) was added to the original glyph, forming the composition 矦, to put the subject’s focus n the person doing the activity. Eventually, the element (厃) were transformed into the composition , probably due to a graphic analogy with the most common form of the component for “person” (亻).

535

Person 亻 checking the cliff conditions

候

候

コウ

1688

from which arrows are going to be shot コウ

そうろう

侯➝ climate Organ that allows to make audible the

喉

喉

コウ のど

1689

words 口 pronounced on a cliff from コウ

which arrows are shot 侯 throat

疾

疾

1690

Illness caused by an arrow

シツ

disease

An illness or disease (疒) derived from infected wounds caused by arrow impacts (矢).

嫉

嫉

シツ

シツ

⾄

至

1691

Woman's 女 disease 疾 jealousy

1692

シ いた.る

Arrow reaching its target to arrive (at)

Pictographic and ideographic representation of an arrow facing downwards (矢 ➝ 𠫔) reaching the soil (土). 536

屋

屋

オク や

Person sitting where he has arrived

1693

salon

A person sitting (尸) in a place where he has just arrived (至), a place where people stay for a while, such as a hall, a house, a salon or any commercial establishment.

握

握

アク

Hand 扌 controlling a salon 屋

にぎ.る

to take hold of

致

致

1694

オク

1695

Hand making a blow in target チ いた.す to accomplish

A hand making a blow (攵) into a specific place, foreseen as the シ

target marked by an arrow that has reached the soil (至): A hit or impact given successfully, an achievement.

緻

緻

チ

チ

Thread 糸 weaving accomplished 致 elaboration

537

1696

備

備

ビ そな.える

Person next to two arrows and a ritual plate

1697

to have ready

Person (人 ➝ 亻) prepared with a ritual dish ( ← 用) and several arrows (矢×2 ➝ 芖 ➝ ), the requirements needed for making an animal sacrifice.

到

到

トウ

Dagger marking the point of arrival of an arrow

1698

arrival

A dagger (刀 ➝ 刂) marking on the ground the exact point at which an arrow has fallen (至).

倒

トウ

倒

たお.れる

Person 亻 falling to the ground like a

1699

トウ

fallen arrow 到 to fall down

中

中

ジュウ チュウ なか

Arrow going through the middle of a ring

1700

middle

A throwing weapon—spear, arrow or dart (丨)—passing through a hoop (⼞) during a military practice session, an arrow passing through the middle of a hoop.

538

仲

仲 忠

忠 沖

沖

チュウ

チュウ なか

Person 亻 in the middle 中 in-between Feeling that goes through the middle

チュウ

衷

1702

チュウ

中 of the heart 心 loyalty チュウ

1703

チュウ Water 氵that forms middle 中 of the sea おき open sea チュウ

衷

1701

What goes through 中 ➝ チュウ

the inside

1704

of the clothes inner

夬

夬

1705

Hand throwing a dart through a ring
 Resolute

Originally 㕜 [中又], then 叏, and later 𡗒, an outstretched hand (又 ➝ 㐅 ➝

) throwing a dart (丨) through a hoop (⼞ ➝ ユ), a

sign of decision and resolution.

539

快

快

カイ こころよ. い

1706

Feeling 忄 that is resolute 夬 pleasant 1707

決

ケツ

Water 氵 breaking through 夬

決

き.める

to decide upon

NOTE In reference to the need to make a decision when water has flooded a land. 1708

黄

黄

オウ コウ き

Arrow going towards a bullseye yellow

こ-

A character with a rather complex and blurred graphical evolution, originally 黃 [廿 ], represents an arrow (矢 ➝ 天 ➝ ) that goes through a hoop—linearized as a square (⼞)—and continues towards a target (⼞ ➝ 廿 ➝ 艹). This ideogram, which originally represents an archery scene, was eventually taken to designate the yellow color, by association, most probably, to the bullseyes that were allegedly marked with yellow paint. The idea of yellow color can be mnemonically associated with the component for “sun” (日) that can be imagined in the center of the compound.

540

横

横

オウ よこ

Wood 木 of an arrow that goes

1709

オウ

towards a bullseye 黄 sideways

NOTE Referring to the wooden part of the arrows—the shafts— which move horizontally towards the target. 1710

カン

Arrow missing its target.

Originally [廿 ], an arrow (矢 ➝ 天 ➝ 夫) that has not yet passed through a hoop (⼞) nor reached its target (⼞ ➝ 廿 ➝ 艹).

嘆

嘆 漢

漢

タン なげ.く

カン

Words 口 referring to the missing of a target

1711

カン

to lament Water 氵 not reaching its target

カン

1712

Chinese

NOTE This character actually refers to the Han (漢) ethnic group, a nomenclature that would later be used to describe everything that comes from the territories where the Han people inhabits, that is, China. The Han name comes from the era in which China was ruled by the Han Dynasty (204 BC - 213 AD), which in turn takes its name from the fief of origin of the dynasty's founder, located around the river Han. The name of this river 541

derives, ultimately, from its association with the Milky Way, which was once called Tianhan (天漢), that is: The celestial water that does not reach its target (the sea in the Earth). 1713

難

難

ナン

カン

むずか. Arrow unable to reach a flying bird ⾫ しい difficult かた.い

堇

堇

1714

キン

Arrow lying on the soil Unable to fight

Originally 𡎸 [ 土], an arrow that has been unable to reach its goal ( ➝ ) and lies flat on the soil (土), scene that, by association, also refers to the inability to practice archery or any military activity.

僅

キン

キン わず.か

Person 亻 unable to fight 堇 trifle キン

勤

キン ゴン

勤 つと.める

1715

Someone unable to fight 堇 that is given another strength 力 to be employed (at)

542

1716

謹

キン

謹 つつし.む ⼊

入

Speech 言 that is unable to reach its

1717

キン

target and lays on the ground 堇 discreet 1718

ニュウ

Tip of an arrow

い.れる はい.る

to enter

An arrowhead, something that enters through the surface of what is impacted by it.

Sample of an arrowhead

Person 亻 with an arrowhead 入 ➝

傷

傷

➀➁ ショウ ➀ きず ➁ いた.む

in his body that has made him a ヨウ

wound that shines like sun rays 昜 ➀ wound ➁ to be injured

543

1719

⾦

金

➀➁➂ キン

1720

Material used to make

Ⓡ

weapons ➀ metal

➀ コン ➀ ➂ かね

➁ gold

➀ かな-

➂ money

Material of an indefinite form (丷) wherewith arrowheads (入 ➝ ) and big battle axes (王) are manufactured: Metal with which weapons are made. As a standalone, the character sometimes gets the original meaning of ‘metal’ expanded over time to the more specific meaning of ‘gold’, and this, in turn, also leads to the meaning of ‘money’.

銃

銃 銀

銀 鉄

鉄

ジュウ

ジュウ

Metal 金 that should be set aside 充 gun

コン

ギン

1722

Metal 金 that is looked by a person 艮 silver シツ

テツ

1721

1723

Metal 金 that can be easily be lost 失 iron

NOTE Iron is a type of metal that characteristically corrodes quite fast.

544

釜

Metal object 金 ➝

used by the father

1724

父

かま

iron pot

鍛

ダン

タン

鍛 きた.える 鍋

鍋

Making metal objects 金 step by step 段

to forge Metal object 金 where animal bones

なべ

1725

1726

and vertebrae 咼 are boiled cooking pot 1727

鈴

鈴 鋭

リン レイ すず

レイ

Metal object 金 used to give commands 令

small bell エツ

エイ

Metal of a blade 金 that is exposed 兑

鋭 するど.い 銘

銘

sharp メイ

メイ

1728

Metal 金 with names 名 written on it inscription

545

1729

錯

錯 鋼

鋼

シャク

サク

Metal objects 金 from older times 昔 confusion コウ

コウ はがね

steel ジュ

チュウ

Making a metal 金 with longevity 寿

鋳

い.る

to cast

鎌

Metal object 金 that allows to collect かま

1733

sickle トン

ドン

Metal 金 that is only a sprout 屯

鈍

にぶ.い

dull

鉢

1732

several saplings 兼

鈍

鉢

1731

Metal 金 hard as a mountain ridge 岡

鋳

鎌

1730

ハチ ハツ

Metal object 金 in which roots 本 of plants are buried plant pot

546

1734

1735

1736

錬

レン

錬

Metal 金 in a backpack 東 alchemy ロク

録

ロク

録

1737

Metal 金 pulled from a well 录 record

NOTE Probably referring to metal extractions that need to be recorded in mining actions.

シャク

釣

チョウ

Gold 金 taken with a ladle 勺

釣

つ.る

to lure in

錦

錦

1739

キン にしき

シン はり

針

鎖

Gold 金 decorating white fabric 帛 brocade 1740

針

鎖

1738

サ くさり

NOTE

Metal 金 with the shape of a thick rod 十

needle Metal 金 that is small ⺌ and goes

1741

through money 貝 chain

In reference to the chains of coins that were used in 547

antiquity, as it is explained in the description of the character 貫 (to go through).

鑑

鑑 鎮

カン かんが. みる チン

銅 銭

銭

to heed 1743

Gold 金 that is true 真 to appease Metal 金 used to make plates from

ドウ

1742

Gold 金 overseen by a person 監

シン

鎮 しず.まる 銅

カン

1744

ドウ

which one can eat 同 copper

セン ぜに

Metal 金 piece for which dagger-axe

1745

セン

fights 㦮 are made coin

朿

1746

Tree with arrowheads

朿

Thorns

A tree (木) whose bark is full of spikes or thorns that look like arrowheads (入 ➝ 冖).

548

策

策 刺

刺

Bamboo book ⺮ with written things サク

1747

that can hurt like thorns 朿 scheme

シ

Thorn 朿 penetrating like a dagger 刂

さ.す

to pierce

責

責

Money with thorns

➀ セキ ➁ せ.める

1748

1749

➀ obligation ➁ to condemn

Originally 𧵩 [朿⾙], money (貝) that hurts like thorns (朿 ➝ ), in presumable reference to monetary debt, an inherited obligation and threat of condemnation in the case of non-payment.

債

債 漬

漬

セキ

サイ

1750

Person 亻 tied to his obligations 責 bond 1751

つ.ける

Water's 氵 obligation 責 to moisten

549

積

積 績

績

セキ

セキ

Prosperity 禾 turned into obligations 責

つ.もる

to stack セキ

セキ

Threads’ 糸 obligation 責 spinning

550

1752

1753

REVIEW ON WEAPONS

⼑列召昭分㓞契制利則刃忍 ⽒氐民七切杀勿 1

別剣帰削剰券刻劇解判刷初剥班罰 剛割副剤例烈裂詔招超沼紹照頒雰 粉紛貧盆潔喫製梨痢側測認婚紙低 抵眠叱刈殺刹物

⽭務⼲开刑挿⼷代式必叔⼽ 伐戒戠我義 幾㦮戊蔵成戌 蔑武 2

柔霧肝汗幹岸軒刊形研型弐袋貸拭 試泌秘督淑戦戯賊械職識織餓儀議 犠戴栽裁繊載機残践浅桟箋越茂戚 臓誠城盛威滅歳賦

551

⽄折兵斬斥⼠壮吉王呈 3

4

析質匠断哲誓浜暫漸訴仕荘装詰結 弄旺望皇狂聖程

甲盾 押岬

⼸弱発引𢎗弟弗弔⽮知侯疾 ⾄屋致備到中夬黄 堇⼊⾦ 朿責 5

張強弧弥弦湾弾溺第沸費挨族短医 痴候喉嫉握緻倒仲忠沖衷快決横嘆 漢難僅勤謹傷銃銀鉄釜鍛鍋鈴鋭銘 錯鋼鋳鎌鈍鉢錬録釣錦針鎖鑑鎮銅 銭策刺債漬積績

552

SPACES 1 | THE VERTICAL PLANE 
 Within sinitic writing, there is a vertical cosmology that takes part in the developing of ideograms. That cosmology mainly addresses the vertical relation Man-God, within which the earthly being that is man is subordinated to the celestial dictation of God. This cosmological relation was the one that legitimized the ruling class of ancient China, because that class was understood as the intermediary between what is ‘above’ earth–, and the people ‘below’

上—heaven above the

下—or earth under heaven.

1754

上

二上

➀ ジョウ ➀ ショウ ➀ うえ ➀ うわ➀ かみ ➁ あ.げる ➂ のぼ.る

➀ above ➁ to raise ➂ to go up Heaven

A vertical space (一) above another vertical space (一), understood also as a simple conceptual and cosmological representation of heaven above earth, what is above superimposed on what is below. Over time the upper and lower line of the original glyph (二) got united by a vertical line (丨), probably due to a necessity of differentiating this character from the character for “two” (二). The 553

original, simpler glyph, nevertheless, remains intact in many primordial compounds. 1755

元

元

ガン ゲン もと

What is above people origin

A person (人 ➝ ⼉) under the sky (二). Heaven understood as the origin or originator of man, or, giving an oxymoron, the conscious man as the originator of heaven: The relationship between heaven and man as the conceptual origin of all things.

頑

頑 玩

玩

1756

ガン

ガン

Origin 元 of thoughts in the head 頁 obstinance 1757

ガン

Origin 元 of jewels 王

ガン

云

云

game 1758

ウン

Energy flowing in heaven to say

Flowing energy (厶) above in heaven (二) or the sky.

554

㊔

伝

伝 魂

魂

デン つた.える

コン たましい

Person 亻 showing the flow of energy

1759

in heaven 云 to transmit 1760

Flowing energy from heaven 云 transformed in a ghost 鬼 spirit キン

1761

Mountains 阝reflecting a retained 今

陰

陰

イン かげ

flowing energy from the sky 云 shade yin (negative principle)

芸

芸

Energy flowing in heaven 云 directed ゲイ

1762

towards the plants 艹 art

NOTE Most probably in reference to the transmission through generations of knowledge and arts related to the cultivation of plants, the backbone of any sedentary society.

555

転

転

テン

Chariot 車 moving like energy flowing in heaven 云

ころ.がる

会

会

1763

to rotate カイ エ

Person encountering energy flowing from heaven

あ.う

to meet (with)

Ideogram that represents a person (人 ➝

1764

) facing the energy of

heaven (云) or divine energy: a transcendental meeting.

絵

絵

カイ

イ カイ

1765

Threads 糸 meeting together 会 picture

NOTE In clear reference to an embroidery or upholstery representing an image.

雲

雲

ウン くも

Flowing energy in the sky generating rain

1766

cloud

Energy flowing in the sky (云) capable of creating rain (雨 ➝ ⻗).

556

曇

曇

ウン

ドン

Sun 日 turning into clouds 雲

くも.る

cloudy 1768

亏

亏

1767

Energy unfolding in heaven

亐于 Energy from heaven (二) that gets unfolded (乙 ➝ ㇉). In some compounds the original form 亏 may appear simplified in the variant 亐 or 于.

Part of the head 頁 that allows the

顎

顎

ガク あご

1769

unfolding of energy into words 口×2 jaw chin

誇

誇

コ ほこ.る

Speech 言 made by a big person 大 as if he were unfolding energy from heaven 亏

to boast

557

1770

汚

汚

芋

芋

➀オ ➀ きたな.い

1771

Water 氵 that gets unfolded 亐 ➀ dirty

➁ よご.す ➁ けが.す

➁ to dirty

1772

いも

Plant 艹 that unfolds energy 于 potato 1773

示

示礻

ジ シ

Heaven communicating downwards

Ⓡ

Divine power

しめ.す

display to show

Heaven communicating with the earth (二 ← 上) by means of a conductive thread (亅) and distributing energy (八 ➝ ハ). An Ideographic representation of divine communication understood as a manifestation and revelations, what is taught by heaven, a display of the heavenly intangible realm in the earthly tangible matter. A connotation that is ultimately expanded to the broad meaning of ‘show’ or ‘display’. This character, when acting as a component and placed to the left in the compounds, adopts the simplified form 礻.

558

奈

奈

1774

Big 大 display of divine power 示

ナ

where

PLACE NAME USAGE

禍

禍 奈

視

奈良 [なら]: Nara カ

カ

1775

Display 礻 of bones and vertebrae 咼 misfortune 1776

シ

What is shown 礻 getting seen 見 sight 1777

祝

祝 祉

祉 礼

礼

シュク Display 礻 made to an elder brother 兄 シュウ to congratulate いわ.う シ

シ

1778

Divine power's 礻 footsteps 止 welfare 1779

レイ ライ

Display 礻 of unfolded energy 乚 courtesy

559

神

神 社

社 祥

祥 祖

祖 禅

禅 福

福

シン ジン かみ

1780 シン

Divine power 礻 expanding energy 申 god

かんこう

1781

シャ Divine power 礻 represented on the soil 土 やしろ society ヨウ

ショウ

1782

Divine power 礻 that is auspicious 羊 blessedness Divine power 礻 manifested in an altar

ソ

1783

ソ

of sacrifice 且 ancestor タン

ゼン

Divine power 礻 that is simple 単 silent meditation (Zen)

Divine power 礻 going through a big フク

1784

ritual vessel

フク

blessing

560

1785

斎

斎

セイ

サイ

祈

キ

祈

いの.う

祭

祭

1786

Divine power 示 made even 斉 ➝ 齐 purification Divine power 礻 with the weight of an

1787

キン

axe 斤 to pray サイ

Hand giving meat to a

1788

divine power

まつ.る

to worship

An extended hand (又 ➝ ) offering a piece of meat (月 ➝ ), a scene depicting a sacrifice as a way of worshiping the numinous.

際

際

サイ きわ

Mountains 阝 where worships are

1789

サイ

made 祭 juncture

尉

尉

イ

Sitting person showing a working hand

1790

military officer

A working hand (寸) transmitting divine power (示) to a soldier who is sitting (尸) due to fatigue or harm. An allusion to military officers as a social group that helps and raises the morale of 561

soldiers.

慰

慰

イ

Feelings 心 provided by military

1791

イ

officers 尉

なぐさ. める

to comfort 1792

Something coming out of the divine power What comes out (㞢 ➝ 士) of divine power (示).

款

款 隷

隷

Divine power emerging カン

in the

1793

exhalation of a person 欠 goodwill Divine power emerging

from a

1794

caught person 隶

レイ

servant

禁

禁

キン

Grove where divine power is shown

1795

prohibition

A grove (林) where the divine power is shown (示), a sacred site reserved for secret rites which access is forbidden to the common 562

people.

襟

襟

キン えり

Part of the clothes 衤 that is closed like

1796

キン

grove where divine power is shown 禁 collar

票

票

1797

Displayed bag

ヒョウ

ballot

A bag (酉 ➝ 覀) that is shown (示), for it has a vote inside. ヒョウ

漂

ヒョウ

Water 氵 carrying displayed bags 票 away

漂 ただよ.う 標

標

to drift ヒョウ

ヒョウ

1798

1799

Tree 木 where ballots 票 are hung signpost 1800

平

平乎

ビョウ ヘイ たい.ら ひら

Energy scattered through Heaven and Earth

flat

Energy distributed (八 ➝ ハ) between heaven and earth (二)

563

through a conductive thread (丨) that unites them: Energy evenly distributed above and below. An ideographic representation of the equitable, or flat distribution of energy. As a component this glyph may take the variant 乎.

呼

呼 評

評 坪

坪

コ

Mouth 口 pronouncing a name clearly ビョウ

and flatly 乎

よ.ぶ

to call ヒョウ

ヒョウ

1802

Speech 言 flatly 票 inspected evaluation Soil 土 flatly 平 extended

つぼ

1801

1803

unit of land measurement [~3 m2]

辛

シン

Person turned upside down under heaven

辛立

から.い

Convict

1804

spicy A person turned upside down (𢆉) under the mandate of heaven and earth (二 ➝ 亠), a person who is out of order and law, a criminal or a convict. In some compounds the original graph gets simplified to the form 564

立, graphically identical to the character for “person standing” (立). The meaning of this character when it appears as a standalone is that of ‘spicy’, as a semantic association with the bitter—or spicy— situation of a condemned person.

辞

辞

1805

ジ

Tongue 舌 of a convict 辛 speaking

や.める

to resign 1806

接

セツ

Hand 扌 touching a convict 立 woman 女

接

つ.ぐ

to be in contact (with)

NOTE This compound is understood as a depiction of the contact with a woman who sells or who is forced to share sexual services. The compound 妾 (convicted woman) is, in fact, a character, albeit now in disuse, with the meaning of ‘concubine’ or ‘mistress’.

辣

辣

1807

ラツ

Spicy flavor 辛 ➝

in a bundle 束

pungent 1808

竟

竟

Convict speaking

キョウ

Suspect キョウ

Originally 竞 [立兄], a person speaking or pronouncing words (兄

➝ ) who becomes a convict (辛 ➝ 立). A suspect who has to face or defend himself against the crime of which he is accused. 565

Eventually the form 竞 derived into 竟, perhaps due to graphic confusion with the component 音 (sound).

境

境

キョウ ケイ さかい

キョウ

1809

Soil 土 approached by suspects 竟 border

NOTE In reference to the everlasting threat of barbaric or rival peoples lurking at the borders, always suspected of being able to carry out an attack.

鏡

鏡

キョウ

キョウ かがみ

SPECIAL READING

1810

Metal 金 that causes suspicion 竟 mirror 眼鏡 [めがね]: glasses

NOTE In ancient times mirrors were made of polished bronze, and they were likely to cause suspicion among the uninitiated because of their ability to reflect images, something which lets them easily be associated with magic or sorcery.

Back of a Chinese bronze mirror

566

1811

競

競

キョウ ケイ

Two suspects

きそ.う せ.る

to compete

キョウ

Two suspects (竟 ← 竞×2) competing to prove their innocence in a trial.

亲

亲

1812

シン

Tree being chopped down

Originally 𣓀 [辛木], a tree (木) turned upside down under heaven (辛 ➝ 立), a tree that has suffered the allegorical condemnation of having been chopped down, as it if were the penalty of a convict of nature.

親

➀ ➁ シン ➀ おや

➁ 親 した.しい

Person looking 見 at the felling of シン

wood 亲 ➀ parent ➁ to be familiar

567

1813

1814

シン

新

あたら. しい

新

Tree chopped with an axe new

あら.た にい シン

A tree chopped (亲) with an axe (斤), a tree felling optimally done: The obtention of new wood useful for the construction of new objects or sites.

薪

薪

シン たきぎ

Plants 艹 that can be chopped down

1815

シン

with an axe 新 to obtain firewood firewood

竜

龍竜

1816

リュウ たつ

dragon

The original version of this character, still present in some compounds, shows a linearization of a pictogram representing a snakelike animal ( ≈ ⾍) with dorsal spikes (三) and a jagged open mouth (⺝) capable of condemning those outside of the law of heaven and earth (辛 ➝ 立). A majestic representation of a legendary animal commonly known as a ‘dragon’ that in Chinese culture is normally associated with imperial sovereignty. The current version of this character when it appears as a standalone—and also as part of some compounds—is a simplification made in the form 竜, which is composed of a variant 568

of the component for “extended energy” (电 ➝ ) below the component for “convict” (辛 ➝ 立), suggesting that the dragon is a symbolic element of an energy capable of condemning or make convicts.

滝

滝

1817

たき

Water 氵 with the force of a dragon 竜 waterfall リョウ

籠

籠 襲

襲

➀ ➁ ロウ Bamboo ⺮ with the force of a dragon 龍 ➀ かご ➀ basket ➁ こ.もる ➁ to seclude (oneself) リョウ

1818

1819

シュウ Clothes 衣 with the force of a dragon 龍 おそ.う succession

NOTE Originally this character had the meaning of ‘several layers of clothing’, a succession of clothes that makes a hard and strong dress.

章

章

1820

badge

ショウ

chapter

A round badge represented pictographically by the element 曰— which can be associated with the component for “speaking” (曰), since a badge “speaks” about the rank or condition of the person wearing it.

569

Over time the components 立 and 十 were added to the original pictogram. The component 十 (thick rod) was probably added to indicate the thickness of the badge, while the component 立, simplification of the component for “convict” (辛) was probably added as a reference to the use of badge as identifiers, in this case in reference to a badge or insignia used to mark a convict. The meaning of ‘badge’ is expanded in Japanese also to the notion of ‘section’ or ‘chapter’.

彰

彰

1821

ショウ

ショウ

障

ショウ

障

さわ.る

NOTE advance.

Badge 章 shiny as hair 彡 distinct Mountains 阝 blocking people with

1822

ショウ

military badges 章 to hinder

Referring to mountains as an impediment to military

童

童

1823

ドウ Convict carrying a heavy load わらべ kid

Originally [立重], a convict (辛 ➝ 立) carrying a heavy load (重 ➝ 里), a convict doing forced labor: a person with no will. The idea of a person without free will was later associated with the idea of ‘kid’, meaning for which the character currently stands.

570

憧

憧 瞳

瞳 鐘

鐘

ショウ あこが. れる

1824

ドウ

Feelings 忄 of a kid 童 to long for 1825

ドウ

Eye’s 目 kid 童

ドウ ひとみ

pupil (of eye) ドウ

ショウ かね

1826

Metal object 金 loud as a kid 童 bell

1827

業

業

ギョウ ゴウ ボク わざ

Person dealing with workers

deal

A character with a rather complex graphic evolution, it represents a person seen from the front (大) dealing with two convicts working in the field (丵): A person dealing with workers. The upper part (丵) is a conjunction of two elements representing a convict working with plants ((辛 + 艹) ➝ 𦭱×2 ➝ 丵), to which the component for “person seen from the front” (大) is added, thus forming the composition 菐. The general meaning of the character, being ‘deal’, is also related to that of ‘work’, ‘business’, or ‘deeds’. When this character acts as a standalone, it takes the form 業, 571

where the component 大 (person from his front) has been transformed into 木 (tree, wood), perhaps due to a conceptual association between ‘wood’—materials—and ‘work’.

僕

僕 撲

撲

Person 亻 who deals with

ボク

Hand 扌 dealing with

ボク

亘

垣

1829

things

相撲 [すもう]: sumo wrestling 1830

Confined energy

コウ

㊔

span

Originally 𠄢, a stream of rotating energy ( between heaven and earth (二).

垣

ボク

slap

亘

恒

things

I (male)

SPECIAL READING

恒

1828

ボク

➝ 回 ➝ 曰) confined

1831

コウ

Feelings 忄 that are confined 亘 permanent 1832

かき

Soil 土 confined 亘 to one particular space

hedge

572

互

互

ゴ たが.い

Two confined intertwining energies

1833

reciprocal

Two streams of unfolded energy currents intertwining (

≈

キュウ

)

within a confined space between heaven and earth (二), trapped in a continuous cycle of reciprocal movement.

五

五

1834

ゴ

Crossing of the five elements

いつ.つ

five

The oldest recorded character referring to the number ‘five’ is the glyph , a reflection of the of the five counting rods used in the rod numeral system. Such a glyph, however, was soon replaced by the form 𠄡, which is more legible and more distinct from other number characters such as 三 (three) or the old form for the number “four” (亖). ゴ

The form 𠄡 is most likely a variation of the character 互 (reciprocal), adopted through a phonetic analogy. A possible subsequent interpretation is that the form 𠄡 is an abstract representation of the crossing (㐅), within the boundaries marked by heaven and earth (二), of the five traditional elements (五行) associated with the five geographical points in the two-dimensional plane: north (water), south (fire), east (wood), west (metal) and center (earth). As time went by, the original graph 𠄡 ended up becoming the current variant 五, wherein one of the diagonal lines is transformed into the stroke 𠃍. 573

吾

吾

1835

Crossing words

ゴ

㊔

Ego ゴ

Words (口) crossing at a central point like the five elements (五), the point of concentration of words, so to say, thoughts, conscience and, ultimately, the ‘ego’.

ゴ

悟

ゴ

Feeling 忄 of the ego 吾

悟

さと.る

to realize ゴ

語

ゴ

Speech 言 of the ego 吾

語

かた.る

to talk

1836

1837

1838

下

下

➀カ ➀ゲ ➀ した ➀ しも ➀ もと ➁ お.りる ➁ さ.がる ➂

➀ below ➁ to go down ➂ to confer

くだ.さる Originally 𠄟, a vertical space (一) below another vertical space 574

(一), understood also as a simple conceptual and cosmological representation of earth bellow heaven. Over time the upper and lower line of the original glyph (𠄟) got united by a vertical line (丨), going downwards, probably due to a necessity of differentiating this character from the character for “two” (二), and also as an analogous but reverse composition to the character for “above” (上).

峠

峠

Mountain part 山 where one can go

1839

up 上 or down 下

とうげ

mountain pass 1840

⼐

Pit

凵

Ⓡ

A hole or pit in the ground. 1841

去

去

キョ コ さ.る

Person in a pit to go away

Originally 㚎 [大凵], a person seen from the front (大 ➝ 土) in a hole (凵 ➝ 厶). Someone buried or hiding, someone who has gone away.

575

法

法

ホウ ハッ ホッ

1842

Water 氵 going away 去 law method

NOTE This composition refers either to the laws established with respect to the distribution of water and irrigation, or to the observable laws of nature, wherein it is established that water is always in motion, always going away.

蓋

蓋

ガイ ふた

却

却

Plants 艹 covering a person that is buried 去 in a vessel 皿

1843

lid Person kneeling 卩 after

1844

going away 去

キャク

retreat

A person kneeling (卩) in the face of defeat after being allowed to go away (去) in retreat. 1845

脚

脚

キャク キャ あし

キャク

Body part 月 used in retreat 却 leg

576

1846

出

出

➀ シュツ Foot coming out of a hole ➀ スイ ➀ to go out ➀ で.る ➁ to get out ➁ だ.す

A foot (止 ← 屮) coming out of a hole (凵), emerging.

拙

1847

シュツ

セツ

Hand 扌 going out 出 of its intended way

拙 つたな.い 屈

屈

clumsy

クツ

Person sitting on someone trying to get out

1848

oppression シュツ

A person sitting (尸) on someone who tries to get out (出), preventing him to do so. A scene depicting a state of oppression.

掘

掘 堀

堀

クツ

クツ

Hand 扌 pressing things down 屈

ほ.る

to dig

1849

1850

ほり

Earth 土 that has been pressed down 屈

ditch

577

2 | THE HORIZONTAL PLANE In contrast to the vertical plane seen in the previous section, there is the horizontal or longitudinal plane, delimited by the existing distances from one point to another on a surface. The longitudinal distance that goes from one point to another establishes a ‘delimited space’ 冂 useful to distinguish a part from the whole wide horizontal space.

⼌

冂冖

1851

Ⓡ

Delimited space

A specific space that extends across (一) until it gets delimited between two ends (丨亅): A delimited horizontal space.

シ

壱

壱

1852

Person 匕 coming out 士 of a イチ

delimited space 冖 one (in legal documents)

瞬

シュン

瞬

またた.く

Eye 目 grabbing 爫 the delimitation 冖 established by a downward movement 舛

to blink

578

1853

夢

夢 塚

塚

ム ゆめ

Eye 罒 growing like plants 艹 under the space 冖 of the evening 夕 dream Soil 土 serving as a delimiting space

つか

hillock シャ

Delimited space 冖 that is given 与

写

うつ.す

to transcribe A long-haired 彡 person 匕 of old age

鬱

1855

冖 for hogs 豕

写

鬱

1854

1856

1857

with an open skull 𠚍≈凶 inside a tin ウツ

can 缶 buried under a space delimited 冖 by trees 木×2 gloom

冠

冠

カン かんむり

Delimited space 冖 put by a hand 寸 ゲン

over a head 元 crown

579

1858

冘

冗

Person within a delimited

1859

space

ジョウ

superfluous

A person (人 ➝ ⼉ ➝ ⼏) within a delimited space (冂 ➝ 冖), without developing his full potential, leading a superfluous life. When this character acts as a component it can take the slightly varied form 冘.

沈

沈 枕

枕

チン

Water 氵 becoming the delimiting space of

1860

a person 冘

しず.む

to sink Piece of wood 木 delimiting the space

1861

where a person 冘 rests

まくら

pillow

NOTE Pillows in ancient times were made of wood.

売

バイ

売

う.る

Person emerging from his delimited space

1862

to sell

Although this character was originally 賣 [士罒貝], a net (冈 ➝ 罒 バイ

➝ 冖) of money (貝 ➝ ⼉) that comes out (㞢 ➝ 士), emerging thanks to the sale of something, it later took the simplified version 580

売, which was a primitive component of its own representing the idea of a person delimited by a space (冗 ➝ ) who emerges out of it (㞢 ➝ 士) thanks to selling products. 1863

読

読

トウ トク ドク

Speech 言 that can be sold 売 to read

よ.む

1864

続

ゾク

Thread 糸 tying sales 売

続

つづ.く

to continue

殻

殻

1865

カク から

Weapon that hits sales husk

A hand holding a weapon (⽎) that metaphorically hits the prospects of sales ( ≈ 売), as the poor quality of grain husks is detrimental to sales.

穀

穀

カク

コク

愛

愛

1866

Prosperous 禾 husks 殻 ➝ cereals 1867

アイ

Hand grabbing a still feeling

love 581

A hand grasping (爪 ➝ 爫) the space delimited (冂 ➝ 冖) by a feeling (心) that is kept still (夂): The captured instant of a deep love.

曖

曖

アイ

Days 日 of love 愛

アイ

憂

憂

1868

not clear ユウ うれ.える う.い

Head delimited by a still feeling

1869

to grieve

A head (頁 ➝ 𦣻) acting as the delimited space (冂 ➝ 冖) of a feeling (心) that is kept still (夂): The head trying to rationalize a deep feeling, an action that leads to a state of anguish and grief. 1870

優

優

person who ➀ ➁ ユウ Person 亻 next to another ユウ ➀ is grieving 憂 やさ.しい

➁

➀ tender

すぐ.れる

➁ to outstrip 1871

隺

Bird flying within a delimited space

582

A bird (⾫) flying within a delimited space (冂 ➝ 冖), a bird whose flight is limited.

確

確 鶴

鶴

カク

Stone 石 hitting a bird whose flight is delimited 隺

たし.か

つる

軍

軍

1872

assurance Poultry bird 鳥 whose flight is limited 隺

1873

crane

グン キ

War chariots delimiting a space

1874

army

A delimited space (冖) protected or conquered by a series of war chariots (車). A group of war chariots, an army, capable of covering a large territory.

揮

揮 輝

キ

キ

1875

Hand 扌 in the army 軍 brandish キ

キ

輝 かがや.く

Light 光 in the army 軍 to sparkle

583

1876

帯

帯

1877

タイ

belt

お.びる

to wear (an object)

The upper part of the compound, 丗, is a pictographic representation of an ornamented belt. The lower part is a later addition made to ideographically specify the meaning of the character, since a belt is a cloth (巾) that acts as a delimiter space (冖) of the upper and lower part of a garment.

滞

タイ

タイ

1878

Water 氵 making a figurative belt 帯

滞 とどこお.る

to stagnate

円

エン

円

まる.い

Delimited space with a center

1879

roundness monetary unit [yen]

A space delimited by two ends (冂) that extends horizontally (一) and vertically (丨): a round space. The meaning of ‘roundness’ was expanded over time to refer to coins and, more specifically, the Japanese national currency: the yen.

⽅

方

ホウ かた

Dagger pointing towards a delimited space direction

584

1880

A dagger (刀 ➝ ) pointing towards a delimited space (冂 ➝ 冖 ➝ 亠), pointing towards a specific direction.

妨

妨 肪

肪

ボウ さまた. げる

Woman 女 pointing something with a

1881

ホウ

dagger 方 to disturb Part of the meat 月 pointed with a

1882

ホウ

dagger 方

ボウ

fatness 1883

ホウ

訪

たず.ねる

訪

おとず. れる

ホウ

Sayings 言 pointing towards 方 someone

to call on to visit ホウ

倣

ホウ

倣

なら.う

Person 亻 going in the direction 方 of the hands that hold weapons 攵 to emulate ホウ

坊

坊

1884

ボウ ボッ

Soil 土 where a monk is directed to 方 monk's dwelling boy

585

1885

防

防 芳

芳

ボウ ふせ.ぐ

ホウ

Mountains 阝 preventing a dagger that ホウ

is pointing towards it 方 to defend Plants 艹 that point to the nose like a dagger 方 fragrant ホウ

ボウ

紡

つむ.ぐ

1887

ホウ

かんば. しい

紡

1886

Thread 糸 pointing towards 方 the

1888

spinner to spin

放

放

Hand holding a weapon hitting a dagger that is pointing towards it

ホウ はな.す

1889

to release

A hand with a weapon (攵) that is able to strike away the dagger ホウ

that was pointing towards it (方), someone releasing himself from the menace of a weapon, someone being released from an external power.

586

激

激 敷

敷 傲

傲

ゲキ

Water 氵 that gets clearly 白 released

1890

放 in a fountain

はげ.しい

violent ホウ

フ

Benefit 甫 being released 放

し.く

to lay out Person 亻 coming out 土 after being

1891

1892

ホウ

released 放

ゴウ

pride

央

央

オウ

Person in the middle of a delimited space

1893

center

A person seen from the front (大) in the middle of a delimited space (冂 ➝ 冖), in the center. 1894

映

映

エイ うつ.す は.える

オウ

Sunlight 日 in the middle 央 to reflect

587

1895

オウ

英

英

Plant's 艹 center 央 エイ

fine England Delimited space from which a foot emerges ➀➁シ ➁ いち ➀ market

市

市

1896

➁ city Originally 巿, a delimited space (冂) from which a foot ((亠 + 丨) シ

← 十 ← 㞢) emerges. A foot coming out of a delimited space, in reference to a person who leaves home and interacts with the outside world—the markets or the city—where social and mercantile relations are carried out.

姉

姉

シ

シ あね

Woman 女 that goes out to the market 市

elder sister

SPECIAL READING

姉さん [ねえさん]: elder sister

Body part 月 from which air comes out

肺

肺

ハイ

1897

as a foot coming out from a delimited space 市 lungs

588

1898

柿

柿

Tree 木 that goes out of its delimited

1899

space 市

かき

persimmon (Diospyros kaki) 1900

Divine power distributed in a delimited space The divine power distributed (((二 ➝ 亠) + (八 ➝ 丷) ≈ 示) within a delimited space (冂), the space where the divine power is manifest, a religious space. ホウ

傍

ボウ

傍 かたわ.ら 帝

帝

Person 亻 going towards 方 the space

1901

where divine power is distributed nearby Distributed divine power テイ

1902

that makes people go back emperor

Divine power distributed in a delimited space ( ➝ ) that makes people always go back to it (帀 ➝ 巾), in reference to an empire ruled by an emperor.

589

諦

諦

テイ あきら. める

1903

テイ

Speech 言 of the emperor 帝 to resign oneself (to)

締

テイ

Threads 糸 of the emperor 帝

締

し.まる

to tighten

啇

1904

テイ

テキ

Old space where divine power is distributed

1905

Custom An old (古) space where divine power is distributed ( ), a religious domain that comes from yesteryear: a custom.

嫡

嫡

テキ

チャク

テキ

摘

つ.む

敵

敵

Woman 女 married by custom legitimate wife テキ

摘

テキ かたき

1906

1907

Hand 扌 taking something by custom

to pick Customary

テキ

1908

target of hits 攵

enemy

590

滴

テキ しずく

滴 したた.る

テキ

Fluid 氵 showing customary habits drop (of fluid)

591

1909

3 | THE CIRCULAR PLANE The enlargement of the longitudinal horizontal space made simultaneously in several directions creates a new type of space: the circular or ‘encircled space’ ⼞, which is not delimited by two points but by a number of infinite points that end up forming a circle. If the perimeter of a circular space is modified, areas of several forms, or polyhedra, arise. One the most basic areas the square, that can be used to represent various functional surfaces such as an underground crypt 亜 where the deceased were buried prepared for a trip to the afterlife or the ‘secondary’ life, or rice ‘fields’ 田, which are represented as a square divided into several parts.

⼞

囗

1910

Encircled space

Ⓡ

A space that is perimetrically delimited, a closed space, originally circular in form (〇 ➝ ⼞).

囚

囚

Person 人 enclosed in an encircled space ⼞

シュウ

captured

592

1911

団

団 困

困 菌

菌

ダン トン

Hands working 寸 within an encircled space ⼞ group

コン

Tree 木 enclosed in an encircled space ⼞

こま.る

to be bothered

キン

1912

Plant 艹 able to be prosperous 禾 inside an encircled space ⼞

1913

1914

fungus germ

圏

圏

1915

カン

ケン

Rolled 巻 encircled space ⼞ sphere ギョク

国

国 囲

囲

コク くに

Jewel 玉 conforming an encircled

1916

space ⼞ country

イ かこ.む

Well 井 surrounded by an encircled space ⼞ to surround 593

1917

1918

⾢

邑

ユウ

Skillful people within an encircled space

阝乡

Ⓡ ㊔

Village

People with big hands (巴), with the meaning of skilled or hardworking people, within an encircled space (⼞). A delimited broad space where hard-working people live: a village. This component most often placed to the right of the compounds and takes the abbreviated form 阝, graphically identical to the abbreviated form of the component with the meaning of “mountains” (阜 ➝ 阝), which, on the other hand, is always located to the left. In the case that the component 邑 has to be placed on the left side of the compounds, it takes the form 乡, thus avoiding any confusion.

郊

郊 郡

郡 邪

邪

Part of the village 阝 were land コウ

1919

コウ

interchanges 交 are made outskirts Part of the village 阝 ruled by a mister

1920

クン

君

グン

district ガ

ジャ

Village 阝 attacked by fangs injustice 594

1921

SPECIAL READING

邦

邦 都

都 郵

郵 邸

邸

風邪 [かぜ]: common cold Lush 丰 village 阝

ホウ

1922

homeland

シャ シ Village 阝 where people do actions 者 ト みやこ metropolis

Part of the village 阝 where messages

1923

1924

droop 垂

ユウ

mail post Part of the village 阝 where one is

1925

テイ

stuck in 氐

テイ

villa

舎

舎

1926

シャ

Remaining encircled space Ⓡ cottage

Originally 舍, an encircled space (⼞) that remains (余) despite the passing of time, a family house or cottage.

595

捨

捨

シャ

Hand 扌 leaving things inside a cottage シャ

舎

す.てる

to dump ホ

舗

舗

1927

Cottage 舎 where gains 甫 can be ホ

1928

obtained store

那

那

1929

Bamboo in a village

ナ

patron

Originally 𨚉 [冄⾢], a village (邑 ➝ 阝) full of constructions made of bamboo (竹 ≈ ➝ 冄 ➝ ). A village full of buildings that have been economically able to be built thanks to the aid of patrons

擁

擁

ヨウ

Hand taking possession of a village with water and birds

1930

embracement

Originally 𢹬 [扌邕⾫], a hand (扌) figuratively taking possession of a village (邑 ➝ 乡) surrounded by river currents (巛 ➝ 亠) and birds (⾫). A village or settlement that is easy to embrace.

596

郎

郎

1931

Good village

ロウ

offspring

A good (良 ➝ ) village (邑 ➝ 阝), a village with offspring that guarantees its survival.

郷

郷

キョウ ゴウ

Towns sharing a bowl filled with rice

1932

town

Several villages ((邑×2) ➝ (乡 + 阝)) around a bowl full of rice (㿝 ➝ ) that is shared among them. An ideographic representation of the economic and social interaction among several communal entities, such as villages, that eventually merge and become a larger entity such a town.

響

響

ギョウ

Sound 音 of towns 郷

キョウ ひび.く

因

因

1933

echo

イン よ.る

Person inside an encircled space

1934

to be caused by

A person (大) within an encircled space (⼞). A figurative representation of an idealist or determinist understanding of causeeffect relationships, since the content—a person—is delimited by the continent—an encircled space. To put it differently: A person’s 597

circumstances caused by his environment (the encircled space).

姻

姻 恩

恩 咽

咽

1935

イン

イン

What a woman 女 causes 因 matrimony 1936

イン

オン

What the heart 心 causes 因 grace 1937

イン

イン

咅

咅

Words 口 causing 因 thing throat

バイ

Person standing out of an encircled space

1938

Surpassing the limits

A person standing (立) outside an encircled space (⼞), a person who has gone outside its boundaries, someone who has surpassed his limits.

倍

倍

バイ

バイ

Person 亻 surpassing his limits 咅 double

598

1939

培

Soil 土 surpassing its limits 咅

バイ

培 つちか.う 陪

陪 賠

賠

1940

バイ

to cultivate Mountains range 阝 that surpasses its バイ

limits 咅

バイ

following バイ

バイ

バイ

剖

compensation Surpassed limits 咅 being cut with a

ボウ

部

1943

dagger 刂 division バイ

部

1942

Past money’s 貝 limits being surpassed 咅

バイ

剖

1941

Land beyond the original limits 咅 of a ブ

SPECIAL READING

village 阝 section 部屋 [へや]: room

599

1944

正

1945

ショウ セイ

正 ただ.しい 疋 ⺪ まさ

Foot entering an encircled space correct

A step (止) taken towards the interior of an encircled space (⼞ ➝ 一), a person entering the established limits, a person who follows the social precepts in a ‘correct’ way. In some components this character takes the variant 疋 or its simplified version ⺪.

婿

婿 証

証 政

1946

セイ

セイ むこ

Woman's 女 entering 疋 body 月 bridegroom ショウ

ショウ

セイ ショウ

政 まつりごと 礎

ソ

礎

いしずえ

1947

Speech 言 that is correct 正 proof 1948

セイ

Correct 正 use of weapons 攵 government Stone 石 sustaining tall structures like ショウ

trees 林 correctly 疋

foundation stone 600

1949

疎

疎

1950

ショウ

ソ

Correctness ⺪ in a bundle 束

うと.い

distant セイ

整

セイ

整

ととの.う

旋

旋

Bundle 束 of correctness 正 sustained by a

1951

hand holding a weapon 攵

to be in order

セン

Flag

セイ

1952

correctly 疋 handled rotation

NOTE A flag that after a victory, since it was not captured by the enemy, is able to turn around—rotate—and return to the base: the correct path of a flag.

症

症

ショウ

ショウ

是

是

1953

Illness 疒 entering 正 signals symptoms 1954

Entering sun

ゼ

being

The Sun (日) entering the day as a foot entering an encircled space セイ

(正 ➝ 𤴓), the Sun beginning the cycle of the day as a figurative representation of the state of being, what is it is because it has been born, it has started like the sun starts the day.

601

題

題

1955

ゼ

ダイ

What is 是 the head 頁 of an argument topic ゼ

提

テイ

Hand 扌 being itself 是

提

さ.げる

to take along

堤

堤

ゼ

疑

1957

Earth 土 being itself 是

テイ つつみ

疑

1956

dike

ギ うたが.う

Person asking where the arrow that struck him comes from

1958

to question

A character with a quite complex graphic evolution, originally represented a man with an open mouth (欠 ➝ ) who holds an arrow (矢), suggesting a scene in which said man is asking the origin of the arrow he is holding. Over time two elements were added to the original character to reinforce the intended meaning. The first of these elements is 疋, a foot entering a space (正 ➝ 疋), which adds the implication that the found arrow has entered the body of the questioner. The second element added is 匕 (person from behind), which adds the representation of the person asked. The current version of the character reflects, then, someone hurt by an arrow, asking another person who is the one that shot him.

602

擬

擬

ギ

ギ

凝

ギョウ

凝

こ.る

各

各

1959

Hand 扌 getting questioned 疑 imitation Ice-like冫 sudden solidification that

1960

ギ

arises questions 疑 to stiffen カク

Still foot in an encircled space

ラク

Stationary

おのおの

each

1961

A foot looking downwards (夂), still, motionless, limited by an encircled space (⼞), representing the state of immobility of each person, at least in ancient societies. 1962

ラク

落

ラク

Each 各 drop of water 氵 in a plant 艹

落

お.ちる

to fall off

格

格

カク

カク コウ

1963

Tree-like 木 stationary thing 各 status

NOTE In the sense that each tree has a different status depending on its height or typology.

603

絡

絡 賂

賂 酪

酪

ラク

ラク

Thread 糸 making things stationary 各

から.む

to entangle ラク

ロ

路

路

1965

Money 貝 becoming stationary 各 bribe

ラク

ラク

1964

1966

Jars 酉 that become stationary 各 dairy products

ロ -じ

Foot and leg moving towards an encircled space

1968

path

ラク

The movement of each (各) foot and leg (足 ➝ ⻊): a path.

露

露

ロ ロウ つゆ

韋

韋

ロ

1968

Path 路 of rain 雨 dew 1969

イ

Feet moving around an encircled space

Two feet (( , 㐄) ≈ 止×2) moving around a circular enclosure 604

(⼞), someone encircling the encircled space, someone moving outside the established limits.

偉

偉

イ

Person 亻 able to move outside the イ

limits 韋

えら.い

韓

韓

1970

excellent Sunshine

カン

カン

around which people

1971

move 韋 Korea

NOTE It originally referred to a tribe of ancient China called Han (different to the current Han people, written as 漢), whose name was similar to the Han tribes of the Korean peninsula to which the same character was assigned. Eventually South Korea took the name of those tribes, and also its character, for the vernacular name of their country. イ

緯

緯

Thread 糸 moving around 韋 イ

1972

weft latitude

㕣

㕣

1973

エン

Energy distributed and moving in an encircled space

Energy distributed (八 ➝ ハ) in an encircled space (⼞), moving within it. 605

沿

エン

沿

そ.う

船

セン ふね

Water 氵 moving in an encircled space

エン

1974

to run along 1975

船 鉛

鉛

Boat 舟 moving in an encircled space

ship

ふな-

エン なまり

四

四

エン

Metal 金 moving in an encircled space

エン

1976

lead (metal) Encircled space being distributed

シ よ.つ

1977

four

An encircled space (⼞) whose area has been distributed (八 ➝ ⼉), a divided space in implicit four parts.

⾕

谷

コク ヨク たに

Water current flowing through an encircled space

1978

valley

Originally 𧮫 [仌⼞], streams of water (仌 ≈ (𠈌 ← 川) ➝

) that

pass through a space encircled (⼞) by implicit mountains: a valley.

606

俗

俗

コク

1979

People 亻 in a valley 谷

ゾク

folk 1980

欲

ヨク ほ.しい

ヨク

Valley 谷 where pure air can be exhaled 欠

欲 ほっ.する

wanted

SPECIAL READING

浴

浴 裕

裕

浴衣 [ゆかた]: yukata (Japanese light robe) ヨク

ヨク

Water 氵 in a valley 谷

あ.びる

to bathe in Clothes 衤 in a quantity that could fill

1981

1982

ヨク

a valley 谷

ユウ

rich

固

固

1983

コ

Old encircled space

かた.い

solid

コ

An old (古) encircled space (⼞), limits or limitations that have been there for ages, something solid and difficult to change.

607

個

個 箇

箇 錮

錮

1984

コ

コ

Person 亻 that is solid 固 individual 1985

コ

カ

Bamboo object ⺮ that is solid 固 article (of) コ

コ

哀

哀

1986

Restraining metal 金 that is solid 固 imprisonment

アイ あわ.れむ

Clothes acting as a limiting space

1987

to pity

Clothes (衣 ➝ ) forming an encircled space (⼞), clothing becoming the essence of its wearer, a person conditioned to his clothes, a figurative image that represents the spiritual subjugated by the domain of the matter: something unfortunate and pitiable.

睘

1988

カン

Eye looking at a material that delimits a space

An eye (目 ➝ 罒) looking at the bounding clothing (哀 ➝ eye looking and desiring the matter.

608

), an

環

環

Jade disk 𤣩materialistically looked after

カン

1989

カン

➝

ring

袁

袁

1990

エン

Foot coming out of the limitations of material things

A foot coming out (㞢 ➝ 土 ➝ 十) of what is delimited by the matter (哀 ➝ ).

猿

猿 園

園

エン さる

Animal 犭 out of the limitations of

1991

エン

material things 袁 monkey

エン その

員

員

Encircled space ⼞ where the limitations of

1992

エン

material things are trespassed 袁 ➝

park 1993

イン

Money in an encircled space employee

A person who earns a money (貝) in a limited quantity that is figuratively represented by an encircled space (⼞).

609

損

損 韻

韻

ソン

Hand 扌 interfering in the salary of an

1994

イン

employee 員

そこ.なう

to harm オン

イン

周

周

イン

1995

Sounds 音 made by an employee 員 rhyme

シュウ まわ.り

Encircled space of a ritual plate

1996

circumference

An encircled or circular space (⼞) determined by the shape of a ritual dish (用 ➝ ): a circumference. シュウ

彫

チョウ

彫

ほ.る

調

Space of a plate 周 wherein hair-

1997

shaped 彡 marks are made to engrave

チョウ しら.べる

調 ととの.う

Speech 言 structured as a シュウ

circumference 周 to be in order

610

1998

1999

或

或

ワク

Encircled space defended by ㊔ halberds or

A halberd (戈) figuratively creating a barrier (㇒) around an encircled space (⼞): a territory defended by weapons.

惑

ウク

Feelings 心 arising while defending a ウク

territory 或

惑 まど.わす 域

域

to bewilder ウク

イキ

咸

咸

2000

2001

Soil 土 liable to be defended 或 region 2002

カン

Territory protected by big halberds

An encircled space (⼞) protected by large halberds (戌): a heavily defended territory.

減

減

ゲン へ.る

Water 氵 flooding over a heavily カン

defended territory 咸 to diminish

611

2003

感

感

2004

Protected feeling

カン

sensation カン

A feeling (心) heavily protected (咸), understood as a sensation that lasts over time as a territory that is heavily defended.

憾

憾

Feeling 忄 that remains a lasting

2005

カン

sensation 感

カン

regret

辟

辟

2006

Incarcerated convict

ヘキ

A convict (辛) sitting (尸) in an encircled space (⼞): an imprisoned convict.

壁

壁 癖

癖

ヘキ かべ

Earth 土 encircling an imprisoned

2007

ヘキ

convict 辟 wall ヘキ

ヘキ くせ

Illness 疒 in an imprisoned convict 辟 tendency

612

2008

璧

璧

Jewel 玉 buried next to sacrificed

2009

ヘキ

imprisoned convicts 辟

ヘキ

ritual jade disc (bi)

極

極

➀ キョウ ➁ ゴク

Person stretching between two extremes

➁

➀ to reach an extreme

きわ.まる

➁ pole

2010

Originally 亟 [二口勹又], an outstretched hand (又) placing a person who leans (勹) constricted by a space delimited (⼞) by two ends (二), one lower and one upper: A person that stretches between two extremes. Over time the component 木 (tree, wood) was added to the compound in order to reinforce the secondary meaning of ‘pole’ that the character eventually adopted, depicting the ‘pole’ as a wood element (木) that reaches two extremes (亟), one lower, the floor, and the other upper, the roof.

図

図

Drawing within an encircled space

➀➁ズ ➀➁ト ➁ はか.る

2011

➀ diagram ➁ to plan

Originally 圖 [⼞啚(⼞+㐭)], an encircled space (⼞) in which a person (人 ➝ 亠) moves from one space to another ((⼞×3) ➝ (⼞ + 回)). In short, a representation within a two-dimensional plane of a route or path: a drawn diagram, a map. 613

Over time the inner strokes (啚) were simplified into the form

凸

凸

. 2012

Convex space

トツ

convex

A space coming out of an encircled space: a convex space.

凹

凹

2013

Concave space

オウ

concave

A space subtracted from an encircled space: a concave space.

亜

亜

2014

ア

Plant of a crypt for burials secondary

Originally 亞, a crypt or underground burial chamber where deceased people of great importance like kings or aristocrats, were buried together with precious belongings, sacrificed animals, and servants that were intended accompany them in the afterlife, or so to say, the ‘secondary’ life. The ground plants of ancient Chinese crypts were in the shape of a cross because of the symbolic implication that comes with adding an entrance door to each of the sides, highlighting the interconnection between the divine and the terrestrial. It is also said that this shape is due to an old belief saying that evil spirits hide in the corners, so eliminating the corners guaranteed a safe journey towards the other world. 614

Early examples of pictographic representations of crypts with objects and living beings buried inside

悪

悪

アク オ

Feeling 心 arising from the sight of a

わる.い

bad

田

田 SPECIAL READING

2015

ア

crypt 亜

2016

rice field

デン た

Ⓡ

Field

田舎 [いなか]: countryside

A cultivated rice field or paddy seen from above, with visible separations (十) within an encircled space (⼞).

界

界

カイ

カイ

Jam 介 of fields 田 world

615

2017

雷

雷 畑

畑

ライ かみなり

2018

Phenomenon produced in a field 田 of rain 雨 thunder

2019

はた Fields 田 that can be burnt with fire 火 はたけ field

NOTE Alluding to fields that can be burned for regeneration, unlike rice fields that cannot be burned due to their watery condition.

奮

奮 畔

畔 累

累

フン ふる.う

Bird unfolding its wings 奞 over a field 田 to be invigorated ハン

ハン

2020

2021

Fields 田 divided in halves 半 paddy ridge

2022

ルイ

Thread 糸 tying fields 田 accumulation

616

町

町 畿

畿 略

略

チョウ まち

Fields 田 around which buildings are

2023

チョウ

nailed 丁 neighborhood Fields 田 where commercial activity is

2024

キ

made 幾 ➝

キ

suburbs of the capital city ラク

2025

Each 各 part of a field 田

リャク

abbreviation 2026

胃

胃

イ

Body part that digests products from the field stomach

Part of the body (肉 ➝ ⺝) in charge of digesting products from the field (田).

膚

膚

Something that ends up in the stomach フ

胃 of a tiger 虍 epidermis

617

2027

曽

曽

ゾ ソウ

Field products distributed in a tasting mouth

2028

former

The rice field (田) thanks to which the food has been distributed (八 ➝ 丷) towards a mouth capable of tasting it (甘 ➝ 曰), a reference to the trace left by the source of things, something that formerly took place.

僧

僧 層

層 憎

ソウ

ソウ

Person 亻 next to former things 曽 monk ソウ

ソウ

(social) stratum

ゾウ

Feelings 忄 focusing on former things 曽

憎

にく.む

to hate

増

ゾウ

増

2030

Person 亻 sitting on former things 曽

ソウ

ふ.える ま.す

2029

2031

2032 ソウ

Soil 土 with a former 曽 history to grow

618

2033

贈

贈

ソウ ゾウ

Money 貝 becoming a former thing 曽

おく.る

to give as a gift

ソウ

2034

男

男

ダン ナン おとこ

Strength of the field man

The working strength (力) in the field (田): the man.

虜

虜

2035

リョ

Man 男 under the jaws of a tiger 虍 captive 2036

Soil next to fields

里

里

Ⓡ

➀

unit of land measurement

➀リ ➁ さと

[~0.5 km2]

➁ hamlet Soil (土) surrounded by fields (田) where people reside: a hamlet. The character takes as its main meaning that of a unit of land measurement equivalent to half a square kilometer, a semantic association probably originating from the approximate size of a typical hamlet.

619

埋

埋 厘

厘 裏

裏 野

野 理

理

2037

マイ

Soil 土 filled with a hamlet 里

う.める

to fill up 2038

リ

リン

Hamlet 里 limited by a cliff ⼚ unit of length [0.3 mm] 2039

リ

リ うら

ヤ の

Hamlet 里 covered by clothes undersurface Hamlets 里 that can be joined like

2040

ヨ

vertebrae 予 plains リ

リ

塁

塁

2041

King 王 going to a hamlet 里 reason Soil surrounded by several

2042

fields

ルイ

(military) base

Originally 壘 [畾⼟], soil (土) encompassing several fields (田×3 ➝ 畾 ➝ (田 + ). An extensive and well-stocked territory, capable of housing a military base. 620

2043

苗

苗

ビョウ なえ

Plants growing in a field seedling

なわ-

Plants (艹) growing in a field (田) thanks to a seedling. ビョウ

描

描 猫

猫

ビョウ

Hand 扌 putting plants in a field 苗

えが.く か.く

to picture

2044

to draw ビョウ

2045

ビョウ Animal 犭 eating the plants of a field 苗 ねこ cat

農

農

ノウ

Person working with a tool over plants in a field

2046

agriculture

The activity professed by people that handle agricultural tools (辰) in order to work with plants in the field (苗 ➝ 曲).

濃

濃

ノウ こ.い

Water 氵being poured over plants in a ノウ

field that is worked on 農 thick 621

2047

果

果

Products coming from fields and trees ➀➁カ ➁ は.たす ➀ fruit

2048

➁ to do completely SPECIAL READING

果物 [くだもの]: fruit

The field (田) and the trees (木) represented as the elements capable of bearing fruit.

課

課 菓

菓 裸

裸

2049

カ

カ

Speech 言 that is fruitful 果 lesson 2050

カ

Plants 艹 and fruits 果

カ

candy カ

ラ はだか

SPECIAL READING

番

番

2051

Clothes 衤 peeled like a fruit 果 naked 裸足 [はだし]: barefoot 2052

バン

Isolated grains from a field number in a series

622

Each isolated grain (⾤) of a rice paddy (田), a metaphorical representation of a particular number extracted from a larger series of numbers. バン

藩

藩

Series 番 of owned lands conformed by ハン

plants 艹 and water 氵 feudal clan バン

翻

翻

2053

ホン ひらがえ. す

弁

彙

Isolated grains of a field 番 flying

2054

away as they had wings 羽 to turn over 2055

イ

Animals, fields and trees same kind

Ideographic composition that reflects a figurative space that delimits (冖) the elements “animal” (彑), “field” (田) and “tree” (木): A group of elements that are capable of producing food, a group of elements of the same typology. The element 彑 is a reduction of the pictogram 彖, similar to the component 豕 (hog), which indicates an animal with a large head, four legs and a tail, probably a wild boar.

畜

畜

2056

チク

Dim thing in the field livestock

623

Something that is dim (玄) within a wide field (田), but that is part of it. Ideographic composition referring to livestock understood as a complementary element to agriculture.

蓄

蓄

チク たくわ. える

チク

2057

Plants 艹 and livestock 畜 to store 2058

畝

畝

うね

Long mark in the field furrow

Originally 畞 [田十久], a thick mark (十) measured longitudinally (久) that is made in a field (田): a furrow.

画

画

➀ カク ➁ガ

Hand making furrows in the field

2059

➀ brush-stroke ➁ picture

Originally 畫 [聿田一], a hand holding a brush (聿 ➝ ➝ 丅) that draws, on a surface, some strokes (一 ➝ 凵) like furrows on a field (田).

624

REVIEW ON SPACES

上元云会雲亏⽰祭尉 禁票平 ⾟竟競亲新竜章童業亘互五 吾下⼐去却出屈 1

頑玩伝魂陰芸転絵曇顎誇汚芋奈禍 視祝祉礼神社祥祖禅福斎祈際慰款 隷襟漂標呼評坪辞接辣境鏡親薪滝 籠襲彰障憧瞳鐘僕撲恒垣悟語峠法 蓋脚拙掘

冂冗売殻愛憂隺軍帯円⽅放 央市 帝啇 2

壱瞬夢塚写鬱冠沉枕堀読続穀曖優 確鶴揮輝滞妨肪訪倣坊防芳紡激敷 傲映英姉肺柿傍諦締嫡摘敵滴

625

⼞⾢舎那擁郎郷因咅正是疑 各路⾱㕣四⾕固哀睘袁員周 或咸感辟極図凸凹亜⽥胃曽 男⾥塁苗農果番彙畜畝画 3

囚団困菌圏国囲郊郡邪邦都郵邸捨 舗響姻恩咽倍培陪賠剖部婿証政礎 疎整旋症題提堤擬凝落格絡賂酪露 偉韓緯沿船鉛俗欲浴裕個箇錮環猿 園損韻彫調惑域減憾壁癖璧悪界胃 雷畑奮畔累町畿略膚僧層憎増贈虜 埋厘裏野理描猫濃課菓裸藩翻蓄

626

CONSTRUCTIONS 1 | WALLS AND ROOFS The primordial part of any type of construction or building is the ‘wall’

廴, which offers protection to the outside world. On top

of the wall, made with a specific material such as the ‘tile’ the ‘roof ’

瓦,

is placed, thus forming a ‘building’ conformed by a

‘wall and a roof ’

广 that will serve to shelter people and things.

2060

⼵

Wall

廴

Ⓡ

A schematic and distorted representation of a wall (㇋) placed perpendicularly to the ground (㇏). 2061

建

建

ケン コン

Hand brushing a wall to build

た.てる

A hand holding a brush (聿) used to paint a wall and the ground (廴), as an allegorical allusion to creation and, consequently, construction and building.

627

健

ケン

Person 亻 able to build 建

健 すこ.やか 鍵

2062

ケン

healthy ケン

ケン かぎ

廷

廷

2063

Metal object 金 made for buildings 建 key

テイ

People guarding the soil behind a wall

2064

court

A person (人 ➝ ㇒) managing the soil (土 ➝ 士) behind a wall (廴). The walls behind which those who manage the land are housed: A government palace or a court.

艇

艇

テイ

テイ

2065

Boats 舟 used around the court 廷 small boat 2066

延

エン

Foot crossing a wall

延

の.ばす

to stretch

A foot entering (正 ➝ 𠂛) or crossing through a wall (廴), representing someone who extends his way beyond physical limits.

628

誕

誕

Speech 言 commemorating the

2067

エン

crossing of a wall 延

タン

nativity

瓦

瓦

2068

ガ かわら

ceramic tile

Ⓡ

Schematic representation of a ceramic roof tile. The outer strokes ( ) represent the edge of the tile, and the inner dot (丶) some kind of decoration or engraving.

瓶

瓶

2069

ビン

Ceramic tiles 瓦 placed side by side 并 jar 2070

⼧

宀

Roof

Ⓡ

Under the roof

Two walls and a two-winged roof of a building. This pictograph is used semantically to reflect the idea of a place ‘under a roof ’. The stroke at the top (丿) represents the top edge of the roof and the lower strokes (冂) represent the wings of the roof and two walls In some compounds this component takes the flattened form 宀.

629

字

字

ジ あざ

What a child 子 learns under a roof 宀

SPECIAL READING

宫

宮 宴

宴 宙

宙 窓

窓

2071

シ

キュウ グウ ク みや

letter 文字 [もじ]: letter 2072

The backbone 呂 of a kingdom protected under a roof 宀 royal residence Men speaking 曰 with women 女

エン

2073

under a roof 宀 banquet ユウ

チュウ

ソウ まど

2074

Figurative roof 宀 that causes things 由

universe Space under a roof 宀 where feelings ソウ

are exposed publicly 忩 window

630

2075

宣

宣

Confined energy 亘 under the roof 宀 of a court

セン

proclamation ケン

寛

寛 宅

宅

Person looking 見 how plants 艹 grow カン

宵 寮

寮

2077

under a roof 宀 leniency Roof 宀 under which the sprout

タク

タク

of a

2078

family can be conceived residence ショウ

宵

2076

ショウ よい

Time when grains and meat 肖 are

2079

stored under the roof 宀 early night Place under a roof 宀 where bonfires

リョウ

リョウ

尞 are made

dormitory

631

2080

蛇

蛇 寄

寄

ジャ ダ へび

Serpent ⾍ from which a person 匕 hides under the roof 宀 snake キ

キ

Something unusual 奇 under a roof 宀

よ.る

to draw near シン

寝

寝 宝

宝

シン ね.る

Broom 𠬶 left on a table 丬 under a

賓

2082

2083

roof 宀 to lie down 2084

ギョク

ホウ たから

Jewels 玉 kept under a roof 宀 treasure Steps 歩 ➝

賓

2081

ヒン

of a person going

2085

towards a roofed 宀 place where he leaves a cauldron 貝 visitor 2086

貯

貯

チョウ

チョ

Money 見 nailed 丁 under a roof 宀 savings

632

寧

寧

Net 罒 of feelings 心 nailed 丁 under a

2087

roof 宀

ネイ

tranquility 2088

富

富

フ フウ とみ

Big wine vessels

フク

kept under a roof 宀

to be rich Person under a roof 宀 thinking with her

寡

寡

カ

2089

head 頁 about her husband partying 分

widow scanty シ

室

室

シツ むろ

Roofed place 宀 where one arrives 至 and stays room シュク

寂

2090

ジャク セキ

寂 さび.しい

Hand distributing stakes 叔 under a roof 宀 lonesome

633

2091

宇

宇 宰

宰 審

審

Roof 宀 from which energy in heaven

2092

unfolds 于

ウ

cosmos Person keeping convicts 辛 under a

2093

roof 宀

サイ

manager Figurative rice grains singled out form シン

2094

a field 番 under a roof 宀 judgement

内

内

ナイ ダイ

2095

Person inside a roofed place inside

うち

A person (人) inside a place covered by a roof ( inside a building.

634

➝ 冂), someone

2096

納

納

ノウ トウ ナッ ナ ナン

ナイ

Threads 糸 kept inside 内 to supply

おさ.める

商

商

Words talking about convicts kept inside

ショウ あきな.う

2097

to trade

A mouth (口) talking about convicts (辛 ➝ 立) who are confined inside (内 ➝ 𦉪) some kind of building in order to be marketed as slave or pseudo-slave labor.

安

安

Woman under a roof

➀ アン ➀➁ やす.い

A woman (女) under a roof (

2098

➀ safe ➁ cheap ➝ 宀), safe from external dangers.

The meaning of ‘cheap’ comes as a phonetic borrowing.

案

案

2099

アン

アン

Safe 安 wooden structure 木 guidance

635

2100

守

守

シュ ス

Hand working under a roof

まも.る も.り

to guard

スン

A hand working (寸) under a roof (

➝ 宀), protecting the

household and the family economy.

狩

狩

シュ

Animal 犭 brought under a roof by a シュ

working hand 守

か.り

官

官

2101

hunting

カン

Someone leaving traces under the roofs

2102

bureaucrat

Someone who leaves footprints (㠯) under the roofs ( ➝ 宀), either of the homes of people or government institutions: a bureaucrat.

棺

棺

Wooden case 木 used for dead カン

カン

bureaucrats 官 coffin

636

2103

管

カン くだ

管 館

館

Bamboo stalk ⺮ used as a brush by

2104

カン

bureaucrats 官 tube カン

カン やかた

⽳

穴宂 A roof (

2105

Place where bureaucrats 官 eat 飠 building

ケツ あな

Roof through which energy is distributed

2016

Ⓡ

hole

➝ 宀) through which energy can be distributed (八), a

roof that allows matter to pass through it, a roof with a hole. When this character appears in the components, it adopts the slightly modified form 宂. 2107

突

ドツ

Big person 大 passing through a hole 宂

突

つ.く

to poke

究

2108

キュウ

キュウ

究 きわ.める

Arm 九 rummaging through a hole 宂

to research

637

窯

窯

ヨウ かま

Hole 宂 with fire 灬 where auspicious ヨウ

𦍌 things are burnt kiln サク

搾

搾 窃

窃

サク しぼ.る

Hand 扌 passing folded clothes 乍 to wring

2111

セツ

セツ

キュウ

窮 きわ.まる

Cut 切 made through a hole 宂 stealth Body 身 bent like a bow 弓 stuck in a to take to the extreme

窒 窟

窟

Arrow reaching 至 a hole 宂 and being チツ

2112

hole 宂

シ

窒

2110

through a hole 宂

キョウ

窮

2109

2113

stuck in there obstruction Hole 宂 in which people sit down and

クツ

クツ

come out 屈 cavern

638

2114

奐

奐

2115

カン

Two hands taken a person out of a hole

Two outstretched hands (⼶ ➝ 大) pulling out a leaning person (勹 ➝ ⺈) who is stuck in a hole (穴 ➝ 宂 ➝ 𦉪).

喚

喚 換

換

Shouting mouth 口 of a person who is カン

2116

カン

taken out of a hole 奐 scream

カン

2117

カン Hand 扌 taking someone out of a hole 奐 か.える to substitute

NOTE It can be interpreted as a representation of assisted childbirth, understood as the substitution of a generation for another.

罙

罙

2118

Wooden branch being introduced into a hole

Originally 穼 [穴木], a wooden bar (木) being introduced into a hole (穴 ➝ 㓁).

639

探

探 深

深

タン

Hand 扌 introducing a wooden branch

さが.す さぐ.る

into a hole 罙

シン

2119

to look for Water-filled 氵 hole into which one can

2120

introduce a stick 罙

ふか.い

deep 2121

空

空

➀ ➁ クウ

Hole made with a hoe

➀ あ.ける ➀ から ➁ そら

➀ to empty ➁ sky

A hoe (工) making a hole (穴 ➝ 宂), creating an empty space. The notion of ‘empty space’ was later taken in Japanese also to designate the concept of ‘sky’.

控

クウ

コウ

Hand 扌 that is empty 空

控 ひか.える 宛

宛

2122

to not do too much

エン あ.てる

Huddled person at night under a roof to address 640

2123

Someone who returns to a place under a roof (

➝ 宀) in which he

エン

can cuddle under the moon (夗) to sleep at night.

腕

腕

2124

エン

ワン うで

奥

奥

Body part 月 able to address 宛 something

arm

オウ おく

Two hands placing rice under a roof

2125

interior

Two hands (⼶ ➝ 大) depositing grains of rice (米) inside a place protected by a roof ( ➝ 宀), referring to the action of keeping something inside, in the interior. 2126

家

家

カ ケ いえ や

Hogs under the roof house

A roof ( ➝ 宀) under which hogs (豕) are raised, in reference to a household capable of sustaining itself through food production: a house able to house a family.

嫁

嫁

カ とつ.ぐ よめ

カ

Woman 女 brought to the house 家 wedding 641

2127

稼

稼

カ

カ

Prosperity 禾 brought to the house 家

かせ.ぐ

to earn

宜

宜

ギ

Altar of sacrifice placed under a roof

2128

2129

appropriate

An altar of sacrifice (且) placed under a roof ( ➝ 宀) to be protected from the elements, something more appropriate or suitable than placing it outside.

畳

畳

ジョウ たたみ

Figurative field 田 that is appropriate 宜 ➝ 冝 to sit on

2130

tatami 2131

𡨄

Two hands storing hoes under a roof Shelter

Two hands (⼶ ➝ ハ) putting several tools like hoes (工×4 ➝ 㠭 ➝ 𠀎) in a place protected by a roof ( ➝ 宀), a shelter that serves as a warehouse.

寒

寒

2132

カン

Ice 冫 making people to seek a shelter 𡨄

さむ.い

cold

642

2133

塞

塞

サイ ソク

Earth 土 mounds before a shelter 𡨄 to stand in the way

ふさ.ぐ

宿

宿

シュク やど

Roof under which one hundred people can sleep

2134

lodging

A roof (宀) under which one hundred (百) people (人 ➝ 亻) can sleep: a lodging or an inn.

シュク

縮

シュク

Thread 糸 tying several lodgings 宿

縮

ちぢ.む

to shrink

宓

ミツ

Stakes distributed under a roof

2135

2136

Concealing Stakes being distributed (必) under a roof ( ➝ 宀), implying some kind of concealment while partaking a necessary action. ミツ

密

密

Something being concealed ミツ

a mountain 山 secrecy 643

behind

2137

ミツ

蜜

蜜

Something produced by concealed ミツ

2138

insects ⾍ honey

寅

寅

2139

Archery practice

イン

㊔

Originally , two hands manipulating an arrow ((𦥑 ≈ ⼶) + 矢) ➝ ), implying the practice of archery. Over time the component for “roof ” ( ➝ 宀) was added to indicate a controlled practice within a figurative or literal enclosure, as it can be found in training, as opposed to archery done in hunting or warfare.

イン

演

演

Archery practice 寅 made in a place エン

surrounded by water 氵 performance

完

完 A roof (

2140

2141

Roof above a person

カン

completion ゲン

➝ 宀) above of a person (元), an image of a building

completed with a roof under which people can stay.

644

カン

Building completed 完 next to the

院

院

イン

2142

mountains 阝 institutional building institution

宗

宗

2143

シュウ ソウ

Divine power under a roof religion

Divine power (示) appearing or being interpreted under a roof ( ➝ 宀), in reference to a building where a connection with the divine is established: a temple dedicated to religion.

踪

踪 崇

崇

Traces left by figurative feet ⻊ in

2144

ソウ

religion 宗

ソウ

clue Sacred mountain 山 important for

2145

ソウ

religion 宗

スウ

adoration

察

察

サツ

Worshipping made under a roof observation

645

2146

サイ

A worshipping (祭) or offering of sacrifices made under a roof ( ➝ 宀), a religious activity that can be done in more detail and attentive observation than if it were performed outdoors.

擦

擦

サツ

Hand 扌 movement made with deep サツ

observation 察

す.る

向

向

2147

to rub 2148

コウ

Roof over an encircled space

む.かう

to face

A roof ( ) facing the ground formed by an encircled space (⼞).

尚

尚𫩠

2149

Open space

ショウ

yet

A roof and an encircled space (向) through which energy can be distributed (八 ➝ 丷), implicitly representing a building with some kind of opening whereby energy or air can pass: A place that is ‘yet’ to be finished. When acting as a component, this graph takes the modified form 𫩠.

党

党

ショウ

トウ

Place open 𫩠 for people ⼉ political faction 646

2150

掌

掌 堂

堂 常

常

2151

ショウ

Open 𫩠 hand 手

ショウ

handling 2152

ショウ

Open 𫩠 soil 土

ドウ

hall

ジョウ つね とこ

2153

ショウ

Open 𫩠 cloth 巾 usual 2154

賞

賞

Open money

ショウ

reward ショウ

Money (貝) that is distributed in an open space (尚 ➝ 𫩠), or open for any participant: a prize or reward. 2155

償

ショウ

ショウ

償 つぐな.う

Person 亻 giving a reward 賞 to compensate (for)

647

定

定

ジョウ Roof under which a foot can enter テイ さだ.める

2156

to establish

A roof ( ➝ 宀) under which there is a space in which a foot can finally enter (正 ➝ 𤴓), in reference to the completion of a building, the establishment of a home or an institution. 2157

綻

綻 錠

錠

タン ほころ. びる

Thread 糸 of established 定 institutions

to begin to open

Metal object 金 put in an established

2158

ジョウ

定 building

ジョウ

lock

客

客

キャク カク

Stationary person under a roof

2159

guest カク

A person who stands still in a space (各) under a roof ( hosted as a guest.

648

➝ 宀),

額

額

ガク ひたい

Part of the head that stands still 頁

2160

キャク

under the roof that is the crown 客 forehead

容

容 A roof (

2161

Valley under a roof

ヨウ

container [fig.] ヨク

➝ 宀) covering a valley (谷), image understood

allegorically as a cavity in which there may be some content, a valley covered with a roof conceived as a figurative container.

ヨウ

溶

ヨウ

Water 氵 poured into a container 容

溶

と.ける

to dissolve

実

実

➀ ジツ ➁み ➂

Fruits kept under the roof

2162

2163

➀ reality ➁ substance

みの.る

➂ to bear fruit

Originally 實 [宀貫], everything that passes through (貫) the roof ( ➝ 宀), interpreted as the celestial roof, the sky, or the universe as it is also reflected in the characters 宙 (universe) and 宇 (cosmos). Everything that happens under the sky: reality. Over time the component 貫 was abbreviated into the form creating the current simplified version 実. 649

, thus

The meaning of ‘reality’ also derives in the notions of ‘what is real', which derives into the concept of ‘substance’, and that of ‘making reality’ or ‘fructifying’. 2164

 Originally

, a roof (

エイ

Roof covered by flames

➝ 宀 ➝ 冖) covered by fire flames (火×2 ➝

炏). The meaning of this component may have a figurative sense, which lets interpret the meaning of covering with fire as something like that instigates energy or vigor. Currently this component appears always in its simplified version .

営

エイ

エイ

営 いとな.む 労

労

2165

Backbones 呂 covered by flames  to conduct

2166

ロウ

Arm 力 covered by flames  labor

650

2167

栄

栄 蛍

蛍

エイ

エイ

Tree 木 covered by flames 

さか.える

to flourish

は.える

エイ

2168

An insect ⾍ covered by flames 

ケイ はたる

firefly 2169

 Originally

Building of a roof

カク

[𦥑⽘冖], two hands (𦥑) laying wooden bars (爻) in

order to build a roof ( figurative way.

➝ 宀 ➝ 冖), sense that is used mainly in a

Currently this component always appears in its simplified version , which looks graphically identical to the also simplified version of the component

学

学 覚

覚

(roof covered by flames).

カク

ガク

Child’s 子 roof being built 

まな.ぶ

to learn

カク

Person looking 見 how his roof is being

おぼ.える

built 

さ.める

カク

to become aware 651

2170

2171

六

六 SPECIAL READING

2172

ロク

Hut

むっ.つ

six

六日 [むいか]: sixth day of the month

A pictographic representation of a hut with a roof with two protruding wings (亠) and two walls (ハ), leading to a graphic composition quite similar to the component (roof). This character was chosen in ancient times to denote the meaning ‘six’ for its phonetic value, however the pictogram of a hut can be figuratively understood as a place that has six directions: four walls (south, north, east , west), the roof (top), and the floor (bottom).

冥

冥

メイ ミョウ

Hole where no sunlight passes through

2173

dark

The sunlight (日) delimited (冖) by a hut (六) that does not let its light through, sunlight blocked giving way to darkness.

云

2174

Wall and roof

广

Ⓡ

Building

A roof (亠) and a wall (丿), simultaneously representing the exterior and interior part of a building.

652

応

応

オウ こた.える

Feelings 心 aroused by a completed building 广 to respond ヨ

序

序 庁

庁

What is built before 予 the walls and ジョ

preface 2177

チョウ

チョウ

座

ザ

座

すわ.る

Nailed 丁 building 广 government office People working in pottery wheels 坐

2178

inside a building 广 to sit セン

店

2176

roof 广

ザ

店

2175

テン みせ

Building 广 where divinations 占 are

2179

made shop 2180

床

床

ショウ とこ ゆか

Wooden object 木 inside a building 广 bed

653

廉

廉 粧

粧 庫

庫 底

底

People working simultaneously 兼 レン

inside a building 广 integrity Grains 米 and earth 土 decorating the

ショウ

cosmetics

コ ク

Chariots 車 kept inside walls and a

テイ そこ

ハイ

warehouse 2184

Ground 氐 of a building 广 bottom

廊

Something launched 発 inside a

2185

building 广 to die out ロウ

ロウ

2183

roof 广

テイ

廃 すた.れる 廊

2182

walls and roof of a building 广

ハツ

廃

2181

Offspring 郎 of a building 广 outside corridor

654

2186

庭

庭

テイ にわ

Part of a building 广 where the court

2187

テイ

廷 plays garden Building to which people

府

府

2188

are attached

フ

bureaucratic office borough フ

A government building (广) to which people are attached (付) since certain important bureaucratic procedures are carried out there.

フ

腐

フ

Meat 肉 left in a bureaucratic office 府

腐

くさ.る

to decay

広

コウ

広

ひろ.い

Building with flowing energy inside

2189

2190

wide

A building (广) with a large space in its interior through which energy can flow (厶).

655

拡

拡 鉱

鉱

コウ

2191

Hand 扌 widening 広

カク

extension コウ

2192

Metal 金 that is wide 広

コウ

mineral

庶

ショ

庶

Words beside a fireplace inside a building

2193

multitude

Mouths (廿 ← 口) talking around the fire (火 ➝ 灬) of a fireplace inside a building (广): An activity carried out by a multitude of people. When this character acts as a component it takes the abbreviated form .

席

席

Cloth 巾 on which people sit in order to セキ

SPECIAL READING

talk along the fire

ショウ

seat 寄席 [よせ]: entertainment hall

656

2194

度

度

Hand by the fire of a building's fireplace

➀ド ➀ト ➁タク

2195

➀ degree (of)

➁ たび

➁ occasion

An outstretched hand (又) checking the temperature—the degree of heat—of the fire around which people converse inside buildings (庶 ➝ ). ト

渡

ト

渡

わた.る

Water 氵 whose degree 度 of deepness

2196

has been checked to cross over

麻

麻

2197

マ あさ

Trees inside a building hemp

A grove (林) of plants that can be seen inside buildings (广), as hemp was formerly widely used for the manufacture of simple and comfortable clothing that can be wore at home.

摩

摩

マ

マ

Hand 手 touching hemp 麻 friction

657

2198

魔

魔

Ghosts 鬼 emerging from the intake of

2199

マ

hemp 麻

マ

demon

NOTE Hemp can be associated with hallucination thanks to its psychoactive effects.

磨

磨

マ

マ

Stone 石 smoothing hemp 麻

みが.く

to polish

2200

2201

厳

厳

ゲン ゴン きび.しい おごそ.か

Words bravely pronounced inside a building severe

Originally 嚴 [吅广敢], several words (口×2 ➝ 吅 ➝ ⺍) カン

pronounced bravely (敢) inside a building (广), referring to a severe behavior either at home or within government institutions.

658

2 | DOORS If the essential structure of a building was the walls and roofs, it is equally certain that for a building to be truly functional it must have a ‘door’ 戸 that serves as an entrance and exit. If the building is large enough, it will have a matching door, with two panels, a big door or ‘gate’ become an ‘open door’ uninterrupted.

戸

戸

門, which can be opened wide and 卯 so that the flow of people becomes

2202

コ と

door

Ⓡ

Originally , a pictograph of a door, with a jamb (丿) and a single panel (日 ➝ ).

肩

肩 炉

炉

ケン かた

Body part ⺝ that moves like a door panel 戸

2203

shoulder 2204

ロ

Fire 火 behind a door 戸 hearth

659

扇

扇 扉

扉 所

所

セン おうぎ

Wing-shaped 羽 object that moves like a door 戸 fan Door 戸 that has panels flapping against

ヒ とびら

ヒ

each other like two opposed wings 非

2207

ショ ところ

Door 戸 defended by an axe 斤 place 所為 [せい]: consequence ホウ

房 啓

啓

2206

front door

SPECIAL READING

房

2205

ボウ ふさ

Something pointing towards 方 the

2208

threshold of a door 戸 tuft

ケイ

Hand blowing 攵 a door 戸 off and disclosing an encircled open space ⼞

disclosure

660

2209

戻

戻

レイ もど.る

Person walking through a door

2210

to turn back

A person seen from the front (大) coming in through a door (戸), getting back home.

涙

涙

Water drops 氵 emerging when someone

ルイ なみだ

2211

ルイ

returns home 戻 after a long trip

tears 2212

雇

コ

Bird passing through a door

雇

やと.う

to employ

A messenger bird (⾫) that, after being thrown into the air, returns home and passes through the door (戸) of a house: An animal that can be ‘employed’ to perform a certain function.

顧

顧

コ かえり. みる

扁

コ

2213

Returning bird’s 雇 head 頁 to look back 2214

Book beneath a door

ヘン

A book (冊 ➝ 𠕁) introduced under the threshold of a door (戸). 661

偏

偏 編

編

ヘン

Person 亻 leaning to pick up a book left beneath a door

かたよ.る

ヘン

2215

ヘン

to lean (towards) Thread 糸 tying books that are left beneath a door

あ.む

2216

ヘン

to compile

倉

ソウ

倉

くら

Place behind a door where

2217

objects come together storehouse

A place behind a door (戸 ←

) where several objects come

ゴウ

together (合): a storehouse.

ソウ

創

創

ソウ つく.る

Storehouse 倉 wherein material is cut

2218

with a dagger 刂 to prepare

門

門

2219

Two doors

モン かど

Two door panels ((戸 ←

Ⓡ

gate )×2 ➝ (門 ≈ 𨳇) forming a two-panel 662

door: a big door or a ‘gate’. 2220

関

関

カン かか.わる

せき

Knobs 关 and their doors 門 to be related 2221

聞

聞

ブン モン

Ear 耳 attached to the doors 門

き.く

to listen

モン

2222

問

問

モン と.う とん

モン

Words 口 opening doors 門 to ask エツ

閲

閲

Exposure 兑 of what is behind the エツ

doors 門 inspection Sounds 音 heard behind the doors 門

闇

闇

2223

やみ

as a clue of what is behind them and cannot be seen darkness

663

2224

閑

閑

Wooden bar 木 placed against the カン

doors 門 in order to avoid disturbance quiet Wooden element 木 sustaining doors

欄

欄

2225

ラン

2226

門 that stand like a backpack 東 stuck in the ground column サイ

閉

閉

ヘイ し.める と.じる

闘

トウ

闘

たたか.う

Several lifted sticks 才 placed against

2227

the doors 門 as a lock to close Working hand 寸 manufacturing

2228

トウ

bowls 豆 behind the doors 門 to contend

NOTE It can be understood as a depiction of a rudimentary manufacturing group making products that have to compete and contend in the market. 2229

開

開

カイ あ.ける ひら.く

Two bidents

ケイ

pushed against a gate 門

to open

664

閥

閥

Craft link between people felling trees バツ

バツ

伐 and people making doors 門 lineage カク

閣

閣

2230

Space where people are still 各 placed カク

2231

behind a gate 門 chamber カン

間

ケン

間

あいだ

2232

Sunlight passing between the threshold of a gate interval

ま

Sunlight (日) passing through the spatial interval left by the threshold of a gate (門).

簡

簡

カン

カン

2233

Bamboo strips’ ⺮ intervals 間 simple

閏

閏

King passing through the

2234

㊔

gates

ジュン

Intercalation

A king (王) passing through the gates (門) of a palace upon being crowned, succeeding a previous king and preceding a later king, 665

forming part of an intercalation of royal successors.

潤

ジュン

ジュン

Water 氵 intercalations 閏

潤 うるお.う 卯

卯

2235

to moisten 2236 ㊔

Open gate

リュウ

The two panels of a door that is open, turned outwards. The graph 卯 is a simplification of the original form 戼, which is a modification of the component 𨳇 (門, door), with gets its elements reversed.

柳

柳 貿

貿

リュウ やなぎ

Tree 木 whose branches open outwards

2237

リュウ

like doors 卯

willow tree (Salix alba) 2238

ボウ

Gate open 卯 to money 貝 trade 2239

留

留

リュウ ル

Gate open to the rice field to stay put

と.める

666

リュウ

Doors open (卯) to a field (田), where the peasants had to stay put working.

瑠

瑠

ル

ル

Jewel 𤣩 that stays put 留 lapis lazuli

667

2240

3 | TALL BUILDINGS When construction techniques reach a certain level in a society, tall buildings begin to appear. One of the early tall buildings were the watchtowers 京, which were used to defend the population of big cities or the ‘capital cities’ of kingdoms. The watchtower functions, within Chinese characters, as the main element from which several characters related to large-scale constructions derive.

京

京

2241

Watchtower

キョウ ケイ

capital city

A watchtower, placed somewhere to defend a town or a population of significant size where important people live. The upper strokes 亠 reflect the two winged roof of the tower, the central strokes ⼞ show the upper part of the tower, that seems to have a window to facilitate surveillance, and the lower strokes 小 are a depiction of the base of the tower that elevates the structure as a whole. When this glyph appears on its own, it takes the associated meaning of ‘capital city’, related to the notion of a big city protected by watchtowers.

668

Model of a Chinese watchtower

涼

涼 鯨

鯨

リョウ すず.しい

Water flow 氵 surrounding a watchtower 京 refreshing ケイ

ゲイ くじら

2242

2243

Fish 魚 as big as a watchtower 京 whale 2244

就

就

シュウ Arm reaching a watchtower ジュ to attain つ.く

A person raising his arm (尤) to reach a watchtower (京), conquering it: someone attaining an intended goal.

669

蹴

蹴

シュウ

Foot and leg 足 kicking a conquered シュウ

watchtower 就

け.る

景

景 SPECIAL READING

2245

to kick

ケイ

Sun illuminating the views from a watchtower

2246

scenery 景色 [けしき]: scenery

The Sun (日) illuminating a scenery seen from the top of a watchtower (京).

憬

憬 影

影

Feelings 忄 aroused from the view of a

2247

ケイ

scenery 景

ケイ

aspiration 2248

ケイ

エイ かげ

享

享

Scenery 景 view covered by hair 彡 shadow

キョウ

Child playing with a toy watchtower

2249

enjoyment

Ideographic representation of a child (子) playing with a toy 670

キョウ

watchtower (京 ➝

郭

郭

), enjoying himself. 2250

キョウ

カク

Enjoyment 享 of a village 阝 fortification

孰

孰

2251

Person making a toy watchtower

ジュク

A person working with his hands (丸) on the making of a toy watchtower (享). ジュク

熟

熟

ジュク う.れる

Making of toy watchtowers 孰 with

2252

fire 灬 mature

NOTE Denoting, by allusion to fire, some forging or smelting done while manipulating metallic material such as bronze, instead of clay or terracotta, during the toy making process. The making of toys or objects of bronze suggests a greater, more mature skill.

塾

塾

ジュク

ジュク

2253

Toy watchtowers made 孰 of earth 土 cram school

NOTE Unlike the character 熟 (mature), toys made of earth— instead of metal—suggest a simpler manufacturing process and, therefore, a less mature skills like the ones that can be seen in a cram school. 671

厚

厚

コウ

Child playing by the edge of a cliff

あつ.い

serious

2254

thick キョウ

A child playing with a toy watchtower (享 ➝ 㫗) on the edge of a cliff (⼚): a serious matter. 2255

⾼

高 キョウ

コウ

Big tower

たか.い

high

A watchtower (京 ➝

) with a large encircled space (⼞) at its

base, denoting a large size and, consequently, also a great height. When this character acts as a component it may take the abbreviated form .

稿

稿

コウ

コウ

2256

Fruit tree 禾 that is high 高 draft

NOTE It represents, figuratively, the idea of having to draw a plan or write a draft when trying to obtain fruits that are too high.

672

豪

豪

Hog 豕 inside a big tower

ゴウ

喬

喬

2257 コウ

extraordinary 2258

キョウ

Person on top of a tower

㊔

tall

A person wiggling (夭) as he waves his hands or moves on top of a コウ

big tower (高 ➝

橋

橋 矯

矯

キョウ はし

).

Wooden structure 木 on top of which a

2259

キョウ

person 喬 can pass through bridge

キョウ

Arrow 矢 thrown from the top of a キョウ

tower 喬

た.める

复

2260

to straighten 2261

フク

Foot getting in and coming out of a tower

Originally 𡕨 [亯夂], and then 㚆, a foot pointing downwards (夂), coming out of a tower (高 ➝ 亯 ➝ ➝ ) from which it has previously entered. Ideogram suggesting the getting in and coming out of a place. 673

腹

腹

フク

Body part 月 that goes in and out

フク はら

abdomen

SPECIAL READING

複

複

お腹 [おなか]: belly フク

フク

2262

2263

Clothes 衤 going in and out double fold

亭

亭

2264

Nailed tower

テイ

pavilion

A building with a structure similar to that of a watchtower (京 ➝ ), arising above the ground by means of a series of columns with テイ

the appearance of large nails (丁) instead of a stone or earth base that forms an encircled space or enclosure as they depicted in the character 高 (big tower).

Model of an ancient Chinese pavilion

674

停

停

テイ

テイ

壇

壇

2265

Person 亻 stopping by a pavilion 亭 halt Soil over which a tower is built

タン ダン

2266

podium

This character is a derivation of the primitive pictogram 㐭, which schematically represents a raised rudimentary construction, probably a barn, with a pointed roof (亠) and a middle structure with some type of opening (回). タン

Over time, the component 旦 (sun rising over the ground) was added to the pictogram for its phonetic and semantic value, suggesting the notion of height. Eventually another component was added, 土 (soil), in order to specify that the composition refers to a structure placed on the ground. The meaning of this compound finally becomes that of 'podium' or 'platform', associated with the notion of a raised building or place.

675

4 | ROADS After having traveled all over the World of Kanji, we come across an allegorical element that sums up very well the entire journey undertaken so far: the road, since roads 行 on which people ‘go’ serve as figurative or physical guide to a safe journey for both the student and the traveler.

2267

⾏

行

Ⓡ

➀ ギョウ ➀ コウ ➀ アン ➀ い.く ➀ ゆ.く ➁

Roads ➀ to go ➁ to carry out

おこな.う SPECIAL READING

流行る [はやる]: to be popular

Pictogram that represents an intersection between four roads, denoting physical or figurative ways to go. The original pictogram represented said roads with a quadrangular shape:

, but later strokes began to be distorted, shaping a more

slanted form

(行).

When the character acts as a component its compositional elements become more spaced to make room for another component in the middle: .

676

2268

街

街 桁

桁 衝

衝 術

術 衡

衡 衛

衛

ガイ カイ まち

けた

Roads

paved with earth mounds 土 street

Wooden pieces 木 seen on the roads 行

2269

beam ジュウ

ショウ

Roads

2270

getting piled up with earth 重

collision 2271

ジュツ

Roads

separated from the rest

ジュツ

art Roads’

angles 角 ➝

measured by

2272

a person 大

コウ

measuring Roads

on top of which feet can イ

エイ

move around 韋 protection

677

2273

2274

⼻

Ⓡ

A road

彳

One of the roads that intersect at a crossroad (行 ➝ ⼻).

律

律 役

役 徹

徹 得

得

2275

リツ リチ

ヤク エキ

Road ⼻drawn with a brush 聿 regulation People building a road ⼻with sledgehammers ⽎ duty Figurative road ⼻helping a child being

テツ

2276

brought up by blows

2277

テツ

thoroughness トク え.る う.る

Road ⼻ on which a hand works 寸 from dawn 旦 to gain

678

2278

径

径 徒

徒

Road ⼻ going through a potter's wheel ケイ

on which a hand is working 圣

ケイ

diameter Road ⼻used as the path on top of on foot 2281

タイ

Road ⼻to the temple 寺

待

ま.つ

to wait

微

ビ

Person ⼉ ➝ 兀 going through a road ⼻in the mountain 山 while holding a weapon 攵

徐

2282

faint

SPECIAL READING

徐

2280

which feet run 走

ト

待

微

2279

微笑む [ほほえむ]: to smile ヨ

ジョ

Road ⼻becoming remains 余 gradually

679

2283

ヒ

彼

彼

➀ヒ ➀ かの ➁ かれ

Road's ⼻skin 皮

2284

➀ that ➁ he

NOTE The skin of a street serves as a reference to the visible face of things, on the street or not, something—that—which can be easily seen and pointed out. The meaning of ‘he’ is a clear semantic association with the meaning of ‘that’. 2285

後

後

➀ ➁ ゴ Foot turned upside down 夂 figuratively ➀ ➁ コウ hanging like a cocoon 幺 on a road ⼻ ➀ ➁ あと ➀ behind ➀ うし.ろ ➁ のち ➁ later ➂ ➂ to be late おく.れる

SPECIAL READING

往

往 御

御

明後日 [あさって]: day after tomorrow 2286

オウ

Road's ⼻main 主 course journey

ギョ ゴ

Road ⼻where people work using

おん-

honorable

mortars and pestles 卸

680

2287

徳

徳 循

循 征

征

2288

トク

Road ⼻leading to straight feelings virtue ジュン

ジュン

Road ⼻round like a shield 盾 circulation セイ

セイ

2289

2290

Road ⼻entered by a foot 正 conquest

2291

従

従

ジュウ ジュ ショウ

People following footsteps on a road to follow

したが.う

Originally 從, several people (人×2 ➝ 从 ➝ 䒑) following the steps (止 ➝ 龰) of one another on a road (⼻). ジュウ

縦

縦

ジュウ たて

Threads 糸 following 従 each other in a fabric length

681

2292

徴

徴

チョウ

Armed king going towards the mountains

2293

sign

A king (王) holding a weapon (攵) with his hand as he heads down a road (⼻) towards a mountain (山), as a sign or indication of the beginning of a military campaign.

懲

懲

チョウ

チョウ

Signs 徴 of the heart 心

こ.りる

to learn by experience

復

復

フク

Road where people goes in and out

2294

2295

time and again フク

A foot that goes in and out ( ) of a road (⼻), a road that is walked time and again.

履

履

リ は.く

Something put on one’s buttocks 尸 time and again 復 to put on (lower-body clothing)

682

2296

2297

覆

覆

フク おお.う くつがえ. す

Something that is done to a bag 覀 フク

time and again 復 to cover 2298

辶

Foot on a road

⻌

Movement

Originally 辵 [彡龰], a foot (止 ➝ 龰 ➝ walking on a road (⼻ ➝ 彡 ➝ 丶).

迅

迅 迎

迎 逆

Ⓡ

) passing through or

2299

ジン

ゲイ むか.える

ギャク

逆 さか.らう

Movement ⻌ of a person rolling down a cliff 丸 ➝ 卂 Person moving ⻌ to kneel before

2300

another person 卬 to go out to meet Movement ⻌ turned upside down 屰 to go against

683

2301

遇

遇 退

Movement ⻌ incited by a masked

2302

グ

person 禺

グウ

encounter タイ

退 しりぞ.く

Movement ⻌ becoming still 艮

2303

to withdraw 2304

過

➀カ ➀ す.ぎる ➁

過 あやま.ち

カ

Movement ⻌ of a pile of bones 咼 ➀ to go beyond ➁ fault

NOTE A pile of bones that indicates the sense of dying, and a movement that connotes the sense of the afterlife. A pile of bones moving as an allegory of the soul going beyond.

送

送 選

選

ソウ おく.る

セン えら.ぶ

Movement ⻌ instigated by the opening

2305

of a knob 关 to send (off) Movement ⻌ of circulating energies 己 ×2 acting in several hands 共 to choose

684

2306

2307

遡

巡

巡 返

返

ソ さかのぼ. る

ソ

Movement ⻌ of the new moon 朔 to go back

ジュン

Movement ⻌ of a river 巛

めぐ.る

to go around

2308

ハン

ヘン かえ.す

2309

Movement ⻌ of an arching hand 反 to turn over 2310

逃

トウ に.げる

逃 のが.れる 途

途

チョウ

Movement ⻌ incited by a bad omen 兆

to escape Footsteps on a road ⻌ that always

ト

2311

remain 余 route 2312

速

ソク はや.い

ソク

Movement ⻌ in a bundle 束

速 すみ.やか

quick

685

遭

遭

ソウ

ソウ

Movement ⻌ of converging fellows 曹

あ.う

to meet シュウ

透

トウ

Movement ⻌ that is excelling 秀

透

す.ける

to show through

述

ジュツ

述

の.べる

迫

迫

Movement ⻌ of a hand separating a grain of rice from the rest

2315

ジュツ

ハク

ハク

Movement ⻌ that is clear 白

せま.る

to be imminent

シン

Moving ⻌ bird ⾫

進

すす.む

to advance

逐

2314

to state

進

逐

2313

2316

2317

2318

チク

Moving ⻌ hog 豕 pursue

686

遂

遂

スイ

Movement ⻌ of distributed hogs 㒸

と.げる

to consummate コク

造

ゾウ

Movement ⻌ announced 告

造

つく.る

to create

逸

逸 達

達 遅

遅 逮

逮

Movement ⻌ made by a person that is イツ

2319

2320

2321

about to hide 免 deviation Movement ⻌ that is big 大 ➝ 土 and

タツ

2322

auspicious 羊 achievement

チ

Movement ⻌ made while sitting 尸 on

おく.れる

a sheep 羊

おそ.い

slow

タイ

Movement ⻌ caught 录 apprehension

687

2323

2324

縫

縫 遜

遊

遊 遺

遺

ホウ ぬ.う

Threads 糸 moving ⻌ and forming ホウ

something like lush plants to sew ソン

ソン

ユウ ユ あそ.ぶ

2326

Movement ⻌ of the descendants 孫 humility

2327

Children 子 moving ⻌ flags to play キ

イ ユイ

2325

2328

Movement ⻌ that is valuable 貴 bequest 2329

連

➀ ➁ レン ➀ つら.なる

連 ➁ つ.れる 遷

遷

Moving ⻌ chariots 車 ➀ to stand in a row ➁ to take along with Someone moving ⻌ and circulating 己

セン

with a big 大 bag 覀 relocation

688

2330

遵

遵

ソン

ジュン

2331

Movement ⻌ that is precious 尊 obedience 2332

通

通

ツウ ツ

Movement ⻌ done while passing

かよ.う とお.る

to go through

SPECIAL READING

辺

辺

ヘン あた.り -べ

through 甬 some place

融通 [つゆずう]: loan 2333

Moving ⻌ dagger 刀 proximity

NOTE Analogy taking into consideration the dagger as a shortrange weapon, which must be close to the target, in proximity, in order to reach it.

近

近

キン

キン

Moving ⻌ axe 斤

ちか.い

near

2234

NOTE In a similar fashion to the character 辺 (proximity), the axe in this character denotes a short-range non shootable weapon, which is associated with the concept of closeness or vicinity.

689

逝

逝 迭

迭 込

込 運

運 適

適

セイ

Person moving ⻌ after having

い.く ゆ.く

grabbed an axe 折

セツ

to depart シツ

テツ

こ.む

dismissal Movement ⻌ of arrowheads 入

Moving ⻌ army 軍

はこ.ぶ

to carry

イ

違

ちが.う

2337

to raid

ウン

違

2336

Movement ⻌ that is dropped 失

2338

グン

テキ

2335

Movement ⻌ that is customary

テキ

2339

aptness Movement ⻌ of two feet encircling a イ

space 韋 to differ

690

2340

Movement ⻌ made by a person looking

還

カン

カン

還

back at a material thing

➝

return Movement ⻌ of a person that comes エン オン

遠

遠

2341

とお.い

2342

out of the limitations of material エン

things 袁 ➝ far

週

週

シュウ

シュウ

避 遮

Movement ⻌ like a circumference 周 week

NOTE time.

避

2343

In clear reference to the circular nature of a measured

ヒ さ.ける

Movement ⻌ of an incarcerated ヘキ

convict 辟

to obstruct ショ

シャ

2344

Movement ⻌ of a multitude 庶

遮 さえぎ.る

to block

691

2345

遍

遍

People moving ⻌ towards books left beneath a door

ヘン

2346

ヘン

throughout 2347

道

道

ドウ トウ みち

Head guiding movement road-way

The head (首) that guides the movement (⻌) in a road, an idea prosaically interpreted as a path with a head, a road-way with a beginning and an end.

導

ドウ

ドウ

Working hand 寸 marking the way 道

導 みちび.く 迶

2348

to guide 2349

ズイ

Held meat moving off

A hand grasping flesh (有) that moves (⻌) down and slips away.

髄

髄

Bone 骨 holding meat and making it ズイ

move 迶

ズイ

marrow

692

2350

随

随

2351

Hand and meat moving ズイ

down a mountain range accompaniment

A hand figuratively holding the meat of the body (有) together, ズイ

accompanying it, while moving down (迶) a mountain range (阜 ➝ 阝). 2352

Hand and meat moving down a mountain

堕

ダ

堕

range 随 ➝ 陏 and falling into the soil 土

degeneration

追

追

Movement following

ツイ

2353

footprints

お.う

to chase スイ

A movement (⻌) that follows the traces (

) left by someone, a chasing

movement.

遣

ケン

遣

つか.う

Someone grabbing a person putting him to chase 追 ➝

to undertake

693

and something

2354

2355

迷

迷

メイ

Movement tiny as rice

まよ.う

to lose one's way

SPECIAL READING

迷子 [まいご]: lost child

Movement (⻌) that is undertaken on a road that becomes tiny and ベイ

indistinguishable like rice grains (米), when the intended paths become blurry and one gets lost.

謎

2356

なぞ

逓

逓

Speech 言 that make people get lost 迷 riddle Tiger moving on a cliff to

2357

capture a person

テイ

relay

Originally 遞 [⼚虎⻌], a cliff (⼚) on top of which there is a tiger (虎 ➝

) moving (⻌) in order to catch a person, suggesting a relay

in the food chain, the completion of one's life cycle and continuing of another, thus complying with the unity of the universe through the eternal cycle. All that has a beginning has and end, and the end is also the beginning.

Congratulations for having completed the journey through the World of Kanji

694

REVIEW ON CONSTRUCTIONS

廴建廷延⽡宀内商安守官⽳ 奐罙空宛奥家宜𡨄宿宓寅完 宗察向尚賞定客容実 六 冥广府広庶度⿇厳 1

健鍵艇誕瓶字宮宴宙窓宣寛宅宵寮 蛇寄寝宝賓貯寧富寡室寂宇宰審納 案狩棺管館突究窯搾窃窮窒窟喚換 探深控腕嫁稼畳寒塞縮密蜜演院踪 崇擦党掌堂常償綻錠額溶営労栄蛍 学覚冥応序庁座店床廉粧庫底廃廊 庭腐拡鉱席渡摩魔磨厳

戸戻雇扁倉⾨間閏卯留 2

肩炉扇扉所房啓涙顧偏編創関聞問 閲闇閑欄閉闘開閥閣簡潤柳貿瑠

695

3

京就景享孰厚⾼喬复亭壇 涼鯨蹴憬影郭熟塾稿豪橋矯腹複停

⾏⼻従徴復辶道迶随追迷逓

4

街桁衝術衡衛律役徹得径徒待微徐 彼後往御徳循征縦懲履覆迅迎逆遇 退過送選遡巡返逃途速遭透述迫進 逐遂造逸達遅逮縫遜遊遺連遷遵通 辺近逝迭込運適違還遠週避遮遍導 髄堕遣謎

696

APPENDICES & INDICES

697

Syllabaries Hiragana PRIMARY PHONEMES ∅

A

I

U

E

O

N

K

S

T

N

H

M

Y

R

W

あ か さ た な は ま や ら わ a

ka

sa

ta

na

ha

ma

ya

い き し ち に ひ み i

ki

shi

chi

ni

hi

ra

wa

り

mi

ri

う く す つ ぬ ふ む ゆ る u

ku

su

tsu

nu

fu

mu

yu

え け せ て ね へ め e

ke

se

te

ne

he

ru

れ

me

re

お こ そ と の ほ も よ ろ を o

ko

so

to

no

ho

mo

yo

ro

ん n

VOWEL LENGTHENING & CONSONANT DOUBLING

• Sounds ending in ‘o’ get lengthened to ‘ō’ by adding う • Sounds ending in ‘u’ get lengthened to ‘ū’ by adding う • Consonants double by having a preceding っ (a dwarfed つ)

698

o

DERIVED PHONEMES

A

I

U

E

O

G

Z

D

B

P

が

ざ

だ

ば

ぱ

ga

za

da

ba

pa

ぎ

じ

ぢ

び

ぴ

gi

ji

ji

bi

pi

ぐ

ず

づ

ぶ

ぷ

gu

zu

zu

bu

pu

げ

ぜ

で

べ

ぺ

ge

ze

de

be

pe

ご

ぞ

ど

ぼ

ぽ

go

zo

do

bo

po

DIPTHONGS KI A

U

O

GI

SHI

CHI

NI

HI

BI

PI

MI

きゃ ぎゃ しゃ ちゃ にゃ ひゃ びゃ ピャ みゃ kya

gya

sha

cha

nya

hya

bya

pya

mya

きゅ ぎゅ じゅ ちゅ にゅ ひゅ びゅ ぴゅ みゅ kyu

gyu

ju

chu

nyu

hyu

byu

pyu

myu

きょ ぎょ しょ ちょ にょ ひょ びょ ぴょ みょ kyo

gyo

jo

cho

nyo

699

hyo

byo

pyo

myo

Katakana PRIMARY PHONEMES ∅

A

I

U

E

O

N

K

S

T

N

H

M

Y

R

W

ア カ サ タ ナ ハ マ ヤ ラ ワ a

ka

sa

ta

na

ha

ma

ya

イ キ シ チ ニ ヒ ミ i

ki

shi

chi

ni

hi

ra

wa

リ

mi

ri

ウ ク ス ツ ヌ フ ム ユ ル u

ku

su

tsu

nu

fu

mu

yu

エ ケ セ テ ネ ヘ メ e

ke

se

te

ne

he

ru

レ

me

re

オ コ ソ ト ノ ホ モ ヨ ロ ヲ o

ko

so

to

no

ho

mo

yo

ro

ン n

VOWEL LENGTHENING & CONSONANT DOUBLING

• Vowels get lengthened by adding ー • Consonants double by having a preceding っ (a dwarfed つ)

700

wo

DERIVED PHONEMES

A

I

U

E

O

G

Z

D

B

P

ガ

ザ

ダ

バ

パ

ga

za

da

ba

pa

ギ

ジ

チ

ビ

ピ

gi

ji

ji

bi

pi

グ

ズ

ヅ

ブ

プ

gu

zu

zu

bu

pu

ゲ

ゼ

デ

ベ

ペ

ge

ze

de

be

pe

ゴ

ゾ

ド

ボ

ポ

go

zo

do

bo

po

DIPTHONGS KI A

U

O

GI

SHI

CHI

NI

HI

BI

PI

MI

キャ ギャ シャ チャ ニャ ヒャ ビャ ピャ ミャ kya

gya

sha

cha

nya

hya

bya

pya

mya

キュ ギュ ジュ チュ ニュ ヒュ ビュ ピュ ミュ kyu

gyu

ju

chu

nyu

hyu

byu

pyu

myu

キョ ギョ ショ チョ ニョ ヒョ ビョ ピョ ミョ kyo

gyo

jo

cho

nyo

701

hyo

byo

pyo

myo

Semantic Components Humans

執

51

舌

129

力

257

水

380

艹

560

人

1

老

55

言

131

尤

268

㳄

412

卉

579

欠

2

而

57

曰

139

止

269

沃

413

丰

588

匕

4

文

58

替

146

走

274

419

麦

590

北

7

久

59

音

147

足

276

氷

425

奉

597

尸

10

冎

61

156

夂

279

川

431

12

肉

62

手

167

癶

281

雨

442

埶

604

勹

14

骨

67

又

187

舛

282

火

451

世

615

⺋

15

歹

68

右

188

帀

291

灰

458

竹

616

卩

16

死

69

急

192

光

460

木

628

卬

17

林

651

色

22

異

71

女

23

心

母

27

乃 身

Nature

601

193

厶

294

赤

461

有

199

鬼

301

土

466

83

丈

203

乙

306

圭

477

耒

681

思

90

吏

204

八

312

丘

487

本

684

30

目

91

聿

209

亦

313

山

488

頼

699

31

見

93

殳

214

夋

321

阜

493

禾

714

33

臣

100

攵

218

乞

328

厂

502

歩

752

子

35

臥

102

敏

220

回

338

丸

504

米

756

大

37

首

103

寸

229

日

348

厄

505

娄

762

天

39

頁

104

廾

238

晶

368

产

507

歯

765

立

40

自

109

臾

239

夕

371

石

518

康

771

夭

47

耳

111

243

多

372

万

536

釆

775

𢆉

49

彡

113

爪

247

夜

376

厉

537

虫

792

幸

50

口

118

孚

249

月

377

屮

539

蜀

797

70

702

668

魚

801

𢆶

949

両

1239

用

1436

再

803

糸

955

車

1241

舟

1454

隹

809

維

982

井

1252

朕

1470

集

825

显

990

冈

1257

奞

826

𤰔

993

卓

1270

鳥

836

恵

995

皿

1292

羽

840

血

1299

翟

845

易

犬

854

片

1031

臭

862

疒

1037

豸

868

斗

豕

875

㒸

1792

六

2172

辛

1804

广

2174

亘

1830

戸

2202

Territory

下

1838

門

2219

刀

1475

凵

1840

行

2267

1514

去

1841

彳

2274

矛

1546

冂

1851

辶

2298

1305

弋

1563

冗

1859

随

2351

1312

戈

1577

売

1851

追

2353

豊

1317

戊

1608

1871

迷

2355

1044

㿝

1319

戌

1618

1900

串

1056

即

1321

斤

1625

囗

1910

877

缶

1060

食

1326

斥

1638

邑

1918

馬

889

卸

1065

臼

1336

弓

1661

哀

1987

能

896

巾

1082

鼎

1342

𢎗

1673

田

2016

虎

899

帛

1089

鬲

1350

弗

1676

胃

2026

虚

902

帚

1091

酉

1353

矢

1680

男

2034

兔

904

衣

1101

1367

夬

1705

廴

2060

角

905

牛

907

羊

Matter 1017

1122

西

1372

入

1718

瓦

2068

一

1130

匚

1390

金

1720

宀

2070

914

十

1135

匹

1392

朿

1746

穴

2016

鹿

929

居

1148

㥁

1406

上

1754

罙

2118

隶

934

貝

1157

1408

云

1758

宜

2129

革

940

玉

1182

風

1422

亏

1768

𡨄

2131

幺

942

1207

南

1434

示

1773

向

2148

703

Phonosemantic Components Humans

呂

79

200

Nature

冬

430

荅

571

435

若

574

次

3

咼

81

取

202

以

299

比

5

予

82

君

204

台

302

州

437

荒

576

化

6

艮

95

父

208

也

310

昔

438

莫

581

介

8

面

99

𠬶

212

兑

317

需

449

亡

9

毛

115

221

公

324

炎

455

寿

595

尼

11

㐱

117

友

224

忩

326

黒

459

舞

608

辰

13

司

122

丑

228

气

327

免

19

兄

125

付

235

己

329

坐

480

屯

612

⺋

20

呉

127

射

236

包

335

尭

482

瓜

626

巴

21

旨

140

共

240

申

339

圣

485

𠩵

652

毎

28

曷

143

保

245

342

反

509

乗

656

充

34

意

148

爰

250

句

345

厓

513

采

657

夹

38

甘

152

253

昆

354

段

516

相

661

並

42

由

153

𢚩

254

普

355

卜

525

某

665

太

44

155

争

256

旦

358

占

530

者

671

亢

45

令

157

加

261

昜

363

兆

532

尞

677

交

46

合

160

劦

262

旬

366

余

541

朱

686

夫

53

今

161

九

265

参

369

早

545

末

689

長

54

念

164

此

272

夗

373



546

未

691

孝

56

㑒

165

先

273

名

375

朝

548

束

697

尺

60

失

186

㞢

283

朔

378

生

551

東

701

禺

72

及

189

志

284

明

379

告

556

曹

705

凶

75

奴

196

寺

286

永

416

星

557

重

707

77

妻

198

292

攸

422

不

558

動

710

704

592

464

610

量

713

隊

878

将

1035

全

1191

秀

725

亥

880

勺

1048

朋

1194

委

727

象

885

升

1051

工

1197

兼

729

為

887

与

1053

左

秋

732

半

912

午

1058

垂

734

善

924

䍃

1062

小

738

敬

926

且

肖

739

皮

935

少

744

波

巻

767

暴 唐

1369

召

1499

1370

昭

1505

要

1376

分

1507

1210

栗

1378

契

1516

1215

卑

1380

制

1518

壬

1219

品

1382

利

1520

1066

任

1222

1384

則

1523

冊

1074

巨

1224

甚

1393

刃

1526

938

侖

1077

丁

1227

区

1396

忍

1527

楽

944

布

1086

丙

1232

直

1401

氏

1529

769

玄

946

敝

1094

更

1235

凡

1411

氐

1532

772

兹

951

爾

1098

录

1255

同

1414

民

1535

777

系

984

表

1107

岡

1265

斉

1419

七

1537

白

778

孫

986

1109

単

1267

受

1424

切

1540

皆

782

県

987

卒

1113

离

1272

青

1427

杀

1541

泉

786

乍

1118

𠀠

1275

甬

1437

勿

1544

原

788

997

冒

1123

敢

1284

勇

1440

務

1548

属

799

考

1000

曼

1125

害

1285

甫

1442

干

1550

冓

804

可

1002

最

1128

良

1288

焦

823

何

1006

二

1132

監

1301

溥

1450

刑

1560

828

奇

1008

古

1142

豆

1307

般

1459

代

1565

833

才

1013

支

1151

登

1310

兪

1462

式

1568

非

850

主

1020

貴

1173

既

1323

前

1468

必

1571

然

864

几

1025

賁

1176

貞

1343

騰

1473

叔

1574

貇

870

処

1028

貫

1180

具

1345

Territory

伐

1581

求

873

丬

1033

玨

1188

真

1347

列

戒

1582

Matter

705

尊

1447

1495

1557

戠

1584

屋

1693

出

1846

我

1588

致

1695

屈

1848

義

1590

到

1698

殻

1854

1594

中

1700

愛

幾

1600

黄

1708

㦮

1602

蔵

1612

成

1983

宛

2123

卯

2236

1988

家

2126

留

2239

袁

1990

宿

2134

京

2241

1867

員

1993

2136

就

2242

憂

1869

周

1996

寅

2139

景

2245

1710

軍

1874

或

1999

完

2141

享

2247

堇

1714

帯

1877

咸

2002

宗

2143

孰

2251

1614

責

1749

方

1880

感

2004

察

2146

高

2255

武

1623

元

1755

放

1889

辟

2006

尚

2149

喬

2258

折

1630

会

1764

央

1893

亜

2014

賞

2154

兵

1633

雲

1766

市

1896

曽

2028

定

2156

亭

2264

斬

1635

祭

1788

帝

1902

里

2036

客

2159

従

2291

士

1640

尉

1790

1905

苗

2043

容

2161

徴

2293

壮

1642

禁

1795

舎

1926

農

2046

2164

復

2295

吉

1645

票

1797

郎

1931

果

2048

2169

道

2347

王

1648

平

1800

郷

1932

番

2052

府

2188

迶

2349

呈

1654

竟

1808

因

1934

畜

2056

広

2190

甲

1657

亲

1812

咅

1938

建

2061

庶

2193

盾

1660

新

1814

正

1945

廷

2064

度

2195

弱

1669

竜

1816

是

1954

延

2066

麻

2197

発

1671

章

1820

疑

1958

内

2095

戻

2210

弟

1674

童

1823

各

1961

安

2098

雇

2212

知

1685

業

1827

路

1968

守

2100

侯

1687

五

1834

韋

1969

官

2102

倉

2217

疾

1690

吾

1835

1973

奐

2115

間

2232

至

1692

却

1844

1978

空

2121

閏

2234

谷

固

706

2214

2261

Strong Phonetic Components

AI

mō 妄盲

朝 潮

愛曖

冒帽

AN

某謀

丁頂 町庁

安案

BOKU

徴懲

僕 撲

CHOKU

BU

shoku

沿 鉛

舞 無

殖植

ETSU

chi 値置

兑悦

我餓

GŪ

閱

GAI

F

夫抹

圭街 厓涯 崖

禺偶 隅遇

亥骸 該劾

A

B BA

馬罵 BAI

貝買 咅倍 培賠 陪 BAKU

暴爆 BATSU

伐閥 BO

莫慕 募暮 墓

BYŌ

苗描 猫

FUN

永詠 泳

賁憤 噴墳

EN

分雰 粉紛

袁猿 園遠

直

CHŪ

五

芽 雅

CHI

知痴

DO

付符 附

致緻

奴怒 努

府腐

害

普譜

katsu 轄割

畜蓄 CHŌ

DŌ

卜訃 赴

動働 同胴 洞銅 童瞳

BŌ

兆挑 跳眺

亡忘 忙望

tō 桃逃

布怖 FUKU

幅 副福

shō 憧鐘

腹 複 復覆

道導 E

707

GO

GA

D

CHIKU

疑擬

G

C

FU

義儀 議犠

呉娯 誤

中仲 忠沖

長帳 張

baku 漠幕

EI

GEN

吾悟 語

具惧 GUN

軍 gi 揮輝 GYO

魚漁 H

原源

HA

玄舷 弦

波破

元 gan 頑玩

白伯 拍泊 舶迫

GI

HAN

HAKU

⺋氾 犯範

非悲 扉

反坂 阪板 版販 飯

hai 俳排 輩

半伴 判畔

皮披 疲被 彼

bō 妨肪 訪坊 防紡 房傍 HYŌ

表俵

凡汎 帆

HITSU

票漂 標

必泌

I

般搬

HO

I

玨斑 班

甫捕 哺浦 博補 舖

委萎

HEI

并併 塀 丙柄 病 敝弊 幣 HEKI

辟壁 癖璧 HEN

偏 編遍 HI

比批 卑碑

HŌ

包抱 泡砲 胞飽 峰 蜂縫

甚

术術

kan 勘堪

述

乗剰 嬢 譲壌 醸 定錠 JU

需儒 受授

尉慰

JŪ

韋偉 緯違 IN

因姻 咽

JUTSU

JŌ

衣依

方訪 芳 放倣

JIN

女如

oku 億臆 憶

員韻

旬殉

JO

意

奉俸

兹慈 滋磁

J

寺侍 持時

化貨 花靴 咼渦 禍過 加架 可河 苛歌 何荷 果課 菓

十汁

KAI

重

介界

shu 腫種

皆諧 陛楷

従従

褱懐

JUN

708

KA

充銃

孰塾 熟

耳

K

家嫁 稼

JUKU

JI

盾循

穫 獲 各格 閣 raku 落絡 酪 KAN

乾 韓 歓 観勧 貫慣 環 還 監艦 鑑 ran 覧濫 藍 干肝 汗幹 刊 感憾

懐

奐換 喚

戒械

完冠

会絵

官棺 管館

KAKU

間簡

建健

KATSU

曷喝 渇 褐 KEI

吉詰 KO

KI

己忌 記紀 起

瓜孤 弧 古故 枯湖

頃傾 渓 鶏 敬警

气汽 気

固個 錮

義儀 議儀

雇顧

圣茎 経軽 径

奇騎 寄

交効 校絞 郊

系係 形 刑型 景憬 KEN

几机 飢 其期 基棋 旗机 飢

君 gun 群郡

求救 球

熏勲 薫

M

工 攻 江 紅

項 功 虹 貢

KUTSU

屈掘 堀窟

九究

MA

麻摩 魔磨 MAI

KYAKU

每

高稿

却脚

亢抗 坑航

KOKU

KYO

kai 悔海

告酷

孝酵

谷

巨拒 距

口后

yoku 欲浴

更 硬

険検 験剣

gai 慨概

厶勾

堅 賢

幾機 畿

公

堇

侯候 喉

及扱 吸級

KUN

KYŪ

広鉱

既

拳 劵圏

ō 欧殴

岡綱 鋼

KŌ

㑒倹

KIN

冓講 溝構 購

兼嫌 謙

謹勤

巧 考

斤近

荒慌

犬献

禁襟

県懸

KITSU

MATSU

艮恨 根痕

共供 恭

MEI

貇懇

劦脅 協

明盟 面麺

KOTSU

竟境 鏡

骨滑

郷響

民眠

KU

喬嬌 橋矯

未味 魅

墾

shō 訟松

昆混

区駆

凶胸 709

曼慢 漫

夹挟 狭峡

KON

広鉱

KYŌ

MAN

末抹 名銘 MEN

MI

mai 妹昧

農濃

RO

O

路露

MIN

Ō

ROKU

民眠

央

录緑

MITSU

ei 映英

録

密 蜜

黄横

RYO

MŌ

王旺

虍慮 虜

毛耗

R

RYŌ

MON

REI

文紋 矛

令冷 零齢 鈴

尞僚 瞭療 寮

務霧

REKI

N NEN

𠩵歴 暦

念捻

RETSU

量糧

然燃

列烈 裂

RYŪ

MU

NI

二仁 弐 NIN

忍認 𡈼妊 任 NŌ

脳 悩

RI

利梨 痢

shō 正証 政症

尺釈

栽 裁載

so 疎礎

SHI

祭際

SEKI

SAKU

昔惜 籍

乍作 搾昨 酢

良

参惨

占

SATSU

ten 点店

支肢 枝

泉腺 線

ki 伎岐

㦮践

止歯 祉

郎廊

生姓 性牲 星醒 青静 情請 晴清 精

SA

左佐

里裏 理

采彩 採菜

成誠 盛

SAI

制製 正政 整征

才

侖倫 輪

浅箋 銭 SETSU

切窃 SHA

此雌 紫 氏紙 士仕

射謝

志誌

者煮

市姉

sho 諸署 暑緒 舎捨 SHAKU

710

司伺 詞嗣 飼 旨指 脂

SEI

S

次姿 恣諮 資

SEN

察擦

流 硫

責積 績

taku 択沢

SAN

rō 朗浪

离離 璃

RIN

zai 在材 財

SHIN

辰娠 唇振 震 心芯

𠬶侵

昭照

浸寝

SHOKU

申伸 紳神

戠職 織

且阻 租粗 狙組 祖

則側 測

帝諦 締

U

SON

孫

廷艇 庭

于芋 宇

SŌ

SOTSU

亭停

羽 yoku 翌翼

真慎

SHU

亲親

取趣

争

卒率

TEKI

新薪

shō 浄静

SUI

SHITSU

朱殊 株珠

垂睡

失

主

tetsu 鉄迭

chū 注柱 駐

忩総 窓

卆粋 酔

嫡 摘敵 滴適

疾嫉

捜 痩

SHŌ

守狩

早草

升昇

SHŪ

焦礁

州酬

相想 霜

章 障

秋愁

小

chō 彫調

少省 抄

周週

就蹴

肖消 硝宵

SHUKU

将奨

宿縮

尚掌

SO

賞償

朔塑

召招 詔沼 紹

叔淑

T TAI

代貸 袋 帯滞

操 燥藻

台怠 胎

壮荘 装

TAKU

託 宅

倉創 曽僧 層

TAN

旦胆 担壇

zō 憎増 贈 SOKU

足促 捉

TŌ

荅搭 搭 唐糖 東凍 棟 朕謄 騰藤 豆頭 痘闘 到倒

YO

予預 余 jo 敘除 徐 to 塗途 YŌ

昜揚 陽瘍 羊洋 様養 shō 詳祥

TON

要腰

氐低 抵邸 底

屯頓

䍃摇

TSŪ

謡

甬痛 通

用庸

呈程 711

撤 徹

Y

TEI

貞偵

束速

TETSU

U

容溶

YU

由油

katsu 括活 ZŌ

chū 抽宙

象像

俞愉

蔵臓

喩諭 輸癒

ZUI

YŪ

迶髄 随

勇湧 憂優 Z ZA

坐挫 座 ZAN

斬暫 ZE

是 tei 提堤 ZEN

善膳 繕 全 sen 栓 ZETSU

舌

712

Onyomi Readings Index A

陪 賠

A

亜

2014

AI

挨 愛 曖 哀

1681 1867 1868 1987

AKU

握 悪

1694 2015

AN

暗 安 案 行

351 2098 2099 2267

ATSU

圧

503

B BA

馬 婆 罵

889 939 1260

BACHI

罰

1490

BAI

梅 媒 貝 買 売 倍 培

631 666

1941 1942

BAKU

漠 麦 暴 爆 幕 縛 博

586 590 769 770 1085 1448 1449

BAN

晩 万 板 蛮 伴 盤 判 番

349 536 643 794 913 1461 1485 2052

BATSU

抜 末 罰 伐 閥

226 689 1490 1581 2230

BEI

米

756

BEN

1862

勉 弁 便

1939

BETSU

1940

別

1157 1264

258 298 1236

1476

望 妨 肪 坊 防 紡 傍 剖 房 貿 忙

1622

眉 尾 美 鼻 備 微

98 116 915 1282 1697 2282

BIN

敏 便 貧 瓶

220 1236 1512

目 墨 睦 木 朴 牧 僕 撲

27 583 584 585 587 648 1452

BŌ

亡 妄 忘 乏 棒 某 謀 暴 貌 冒 帽 膨

1881 1882 1885

煩 凡 盆

24 84

仏 物

2238 85

91 476 602 628 644 909

1123 1124 1315

713

295 1545

BYAKU

白

778

BYŌ

秒 病 苗 描 猫

751 1234 2043 2044 2045

C

1829

CHA

453 1411 1513

398 594

BU

869

58

1828

没 勃 侮 不 奉 舞 無

BUN

2208

649

769

CHIKU

1944

BUTSU

BOTSU

667

2221

1623

1943

290

665

1507

質 知 痴 致 緻 遅

1507

1901

1888

BON 9

分 武 部 文 分 聞

1886

BOKU

2069

BO

母 慕 暮 募 墓 模 簿

1651

29 558 597 608 609

茶

570

916 1906

CHI

恥 持 治 池 地 稚 値 置

1685 1686 1695 1696 2323

616 1209 2056 2057 2318

CHIN

陳 珍 賃 朕 鎮

703 1183 1223 1470 1743 1860

CHAKU

着 嫡

竹 築 畜 蓄 逐

1627

112 289 406 407 473 821 1402 1405

CHITSU

秩 窒

718 2113

CHO

著 貯

675 2086

CHŌ

長 腸 兆 眺 挑 跳 朝

54 364 532 533 534 535 548

549

潮 重 鳥 帳 貼 丁 頂 澄 聴 超 張 弔 釣 彫 調 町 庁 徴 懲

550 707 836

1704

脱 奪

1732 2074

DA

1227 1228 1311 1407 1502 1662 1679 1738 1997 1998 2023 2177 2293 2294

698

1401

183 360 792 1022 1023 1024 1355 1700 1701 1702

妥 唾 駄 惰 打 蛇 堕

248 735

1212 1230 2081 2352

37 302 1565 1674 1675 1955 2095

DON

318

貪 鈍 曇

827

1674

1162 1734 1767

電 伝 田

447 1759 2016

殿

516 1434 1629

2266

1102 1764 1765

永 詠 泳 鋭 映 英 営 栄 影 衛

DO

奴 怒 努 土 度

196 197 259 466 2195

DŌ

毒 独

456

995

EI

1030

2034

358

338

DEN

DOKU

352

回 恵 依 会 絵

1670

1912

798

E

DEKI

1668

575

E

382

動 働 同 胴 洞 銅 童 瞳 堂 道 導

DAN

暖 旦 談 段 南 断 弾 団 男 壇

泥

890

DAKU

諾 濁

1863

DEI

DAI

大 台 代 弟 第 題 内

読

DE

弟

1167

CHŪ

抽 昼 虫 注 柱 駐 酎 中 仲 忠

DATSU

D

754

直

1703

1083

CHOKU

勅

沖 衷 鋳 宙

710 711 1414

416 417 418 1728 1894

液 駅 疫 益 易 役

1416 1744 1823 1825 2152 2347

媛 援 怨 炎

589 858

714

1296 1318 1374 1879

1976 1991 1992 2066 2073 2140 2342

ETSU

謁 悦 越 閲

145 319 1609 2223

2165

FU

2167 2248 2273

411 891 1039 1298 1305 2276

251 252 374 455

夫 扶 父 付 普 譜 浮 阜 附 訃 赴 不 符 歩 布

怖 婦 負 風 賦

1974

F

EN

2348

983

1895

EKI

1415

縁 塩 艶 煙 円 沿 鉛 猿 園 延 宴 演 遠

53 176 208 235 355 356 401 493 497 526 527 558 620 752 1086

1087 1092 1175 1422 1624 1724

敷 膚 富 府 腐 封

1891 2027 2088 2188 2189 479

FŪ

夫 豊 風 富

53 1317 1422 2088

FUKU

服 伏 幅 副 福 腹 複 復 覆

195 855 1371 1493 1785 2262 2263 2295 2297

FUN

憤 噴 墳 分 雰 粉 紛

1177 1178 1179 1507 1509 1510 1511

奮

565

丸 顔 岩 願 岸 元 頑 玩

813

GATSU

2020

FUTSU

払 沸

297 1677

G GA 155

芽 雅 賀 我 餓 画 瓦

1166 1588 1589

2068

514 515 528 881 882 883 1285

1843 2268

GAKU

岳 楽 顎 額 学

492 944 1769 2160 2170

GAN

眼 含

97 163

GETSU

523 789 1553 1755

160 377

155

夏 外 解 下

280 528 1484 1838

GEI

芸 鯨 迎

1762 2243 2300

GEKI 743

1324 1325

1757

508

GE

2059

GAI

涯 崖 外 骸 該 劾 害 慨 概 蓋 街

合 月

1756

幻 現 舷 弦 元 減 厳

504

撃 劇 激

1245 1483 1890

GEN

眼 言 限 嫌 原 源 験 玄

97 131 495 730 788 790 893 946

月

語 後 御

948 1184 1457

合 号 拷 剛 強 業 傲 郷 豪

1755 2003 2201

377

888 1154 1276 1579 1590 1591

160 998 1001 1491 1663 1827 1892 1932 2257

1958 1959 2129

偶 隅 宮 遇

128 137 834 1058

2010

2287

GYŌ

仰 暁 形 業 凝 行

18 483 1558 1827 1960 2267

1182

GYŪ

牛

907

832

1345

把 派 破 波 覇

1346

HACHI

1716 2201

88

73 494 2072 2302

1836

GYAKU

715

802

HA

1834

1833

801

131

群 軍 郡

1279

魚 漁 御

H

GUN

1277

GYO

玉

860

GŪ

127

2301

獄 極

愚 具 惧

1722

903

GOKU

GU

162

虐 逆

GYOKU

言 権 勤 厳

1593

GO

呉 娯 誤 護 午 期 碁 互 五 悟

2287

GON

1592

GIN

吟 銀

2285

GŌ

1666

GI

偽 技 欺 戯 義 儀 議 犠 疑 擬 宜

1837

918 1874 1920

八 鉢

171 421 937 938 1375

312 1735

HAI

背 妃 拝 杯 俳 排 敗

63 330 596 647 851 853 1165

輩 配 肺 廃

1250 1358 1898 2185

HAKU

白 伯 拍 泊 博 薄 舶 剥 迫

778 779 780 781 1449 1451 1456 1488 2316

HAN

氾 煩 反 坂 阪 板 犯 半 伴 繁 版 販 斑 範 飯 凡 汎 帆 般 搬

383 453 509 511 512 643 856 912 913 966 1032 1168 1189 1249 1332 1411 1412 1413 1459 1460

判 班 頒 畔 藩

1485 1489

2021 2053

225 1671 1735 1842

HEI

並 併 塀 陛 弊

42 43 467 501 1095 1096

幣 丙 柄 病

1097 1232 1233 1234 1328

兵 平 閉

1633 1800 2227

HEKI

壁 癖 璧

2007 2008 2009

HEN

変 片 偏 編 返

316 1031 2215 2216 2309

2333 2346

HI

1508

HATSU

髪 発 鉢 法

辺 遍 比 肥 批 妃 否 飛 非 悲 皮 披 疲 被 罷 卑 碑 泌 秘 費 扉 彼 避

5 64 168 330 559 849 850 852 935 936 1043 1106 1261 1380 1381 1572 1573 1678 2206 2284 2344

HIN

頻 品 貧 浜 賓

753 1382 1512 1634 2085

HITSU

筆 匹 必 泌

621 1392 1571 1572

HO

保 歩 哺 捕 浦 補 舗

HON

1444

反 奔 本 翻

1445

HOTSU

1446

払 発 法

245 752 1443

1928

HŌ

報 包 胞 抱 泡 封 砲 峰 奉 俸 蜂 褒 崩 豊 飽 法 方 訪 倣 芳 放 邦 宝 縫

580 684 2054

297 1671 1842

194

HYAKU

335

百

1131

HYŌ

336

氷 拍 表 俵 兵 票 漂 標 平 評

337 409 479 522 593 597 598 796 1103 1195

425 780 1107 1108 1633 1797 1798 1799 1800 1802

1317

I

1331

I

位 異 畏 意 以 移 委 萎 唯 為 維

1842 1880 1883 1884 1887 1889 1922 2084 2325

HOKU

北

509

7

716

椅 施 衣 依 易 威 医 尉 慰 囲 偉 緯 胃 彙 遺 違

1011 1018 1101 1102 1305

74

723 725 726 811 887 982

ITSU

一 逸

1130 2321

1684

JA

1790 1791 1917 1970 1972 2026

邪 蛇

2328 2340

ICHI

一 壱

1130 1852

IKI

域

2001

IKU 65

音 印 隠

147 255 498 1221

飲 引 陰 因 姻 咽 員

1327 1672 1761

若 弱 寂

1937 1993

2081

574 1669 2091

JI

次 一 耳 詞 事 寺 侍 持 似 時 治 地 除 慈 滋 磁 璽

3 1130 111 136 211 286 287 289 300 353 406 473 544 952 953 954 1187 1329

1934 1935

1921

JAKU

2055

148 299

2142

J

IN 71

1995

1619

育 41

韻 院

児 仕 示

1337 1641 1773

辞 字

1805 2071

JIKI

食 直

1326 1401

JIKU

軸

1244

JIN

人 臣 腎 尽 仁 尋 陣 甚 刃 神 迅

1 100 201 426 1133 1213 1248 1393 1526 1780 2299

JITSU

日 実

348 2163

条 乗 縄 状 嬢 譲 壌 醸 静 情 剰 成 城 盛 上 冗 畳 常 定 錠

638 656 981 1034 1216 1217 1218 1364 1428 1429 1480 1614 1616 1617 1754 1859 2130 2153 2156 2158

JOKU

辱

JO

230

女 如 叙 除 助 序 徐

JU 23

121 542 544 1067 2176 2283

JŌ

丈 浄 場 蒸

203 403

呪 訟 需 儒 寿 樹 受 授 就 従

126 325 449 450 595 1316

578

1021 1135 1138 1268 1547 1700 1721 2291 2292

JUKU

熟 塾

2252 2253

JUN

旬 殉 順 准 純 準 盾 潤 循 巡 遵

366 367 432 817 977 1139 1660 2235 2289 2308 2331

JUTSU

術 述

2271

KA

184

加 夏 渦 火

478 510 517 561 637 737 941 1002 1003 1004 1005 1006 1007 1046 1159 1373 1775 1838 1985 2048 2049 2050 2089 2126 2127 2128 2304

KAI

介 悔 拐 改 回 海 灰

2315

1425

JŪ

拾

707

K

2291

佳 仮 暇 花 架 華 靴 可 歌 河 苛 何 荷 科 貨 価 禍 下 箇 果 課 菓 寡 家 嫁 稼 過

415

1424

2244

474

渋 重 住 十 汁 獣 柔 中 銃 従 縦

261 280 389 451

717

8 87 178 333 338 384 458

塊 怪 皆 諧 階 楷 懐 壊 潰 解 戒 械 快 会 絵 界 開 街

472 486 782 783 784 785 1110 1111 1174 1484 1582 1583 1706 1764 1765 2017 2229 2268

KAKU

嚇 穫 獲 核 角 革 較 隔 殻 確 各 格 画 客 覚 拡

462 835 859 884 905 940 1243 1351 1865 1872 1961 1963 2059 2159 2171 2191

閣 郭

2231 2250

KAN

甘 看 乾 巻 歓 観 勧 緩 患 缶 貫 慣 敢 監 陥 勘 堪 艦 干 肝 汗 幹 刊 甲 漢 鑑 款 冠 韓 環 感 憾

152 179 547 767 829 830 831 967 1057 1060 1180 1181 1284 1301 1339 1394 1395 1458 1550 1551 1552 1554 1556 1657 1712 1742 1793 1858 1971 1989 2004 2005

寛 官 棺 管 館 喚 換 寒 完 関 閑 間 簡 還

2077 2102 2103 2104 2105 2116 2117 2132 2141 2220 2225 2232 2233 2341

KATSU

喝 合 括 滑 活 渇

144 160 180 388 391 392 564

褐 轄 割

1104 1286 1492

KE

化 仮 華 気 懸 家

6 510 737 774 988 2126

KEI

傾 兄

106 125

憩 詣 掲 渓 茎 稽 携 鶏 敬 警 慶 経 系 係 恵 計 軽 継 契 形 刑 型 境 競 蛍 啓 京 景 憬 径

130 142 182 402 568 720 810 838 926 927 933 975 984 985 995 1136 1247 1409 1516 1558 1560 1561 1809 1811 2168 2209 2241 2246 2247 2279

KEN

見 倹 堅 険

検 兼 嫌 謙 拳 権 犬 験 件 絹 県 懸 顕 繭 賢 憲 献 舷 剣 券 軒 研 圏 建 健

93 166 470 496

決 穴

634 729

KI

規 企 鬼 己 忌 記 起 汽 危 季 気 亀 紀 奇 騎 机 希 伎 岐 貴 軌 期 基 棋 旗 棄 喜 既 飢 毀 器 帰

731 768 832 854 893 908 961 987 988 991 1100 1164 1287 1435 1457 1477 1481 1555 1559 1915 2061 2062

2203 2232 2354

KETSU

欠 傑 血 潔 結

2016

730

2063

肩 間 遣

1707

2 639 1299 1515 1647

718

94 270 301 329 331 332 334 408 506 715 774 808 970 1008 1012 1027

幾 機 祈 揮 輝 畿 寄

1155 1173 1246 1277 1278 1280 1281 1283 1313 1323 1335 1338 1389 1478

1601 1787 1875 1876 2024 2082

KICHI

吉

1645

KIKU

菊

760

KIN

今 均 筋 緊 巾 琴 斤

161 475 622 965 1082 1190 1625 1715

1088 1152

1600

勤 謹 金 錦 禁 襟 菌 近

1716 1717 1720 1739 1795 1796 1914 2334

KITSU

喫 吉 詰

1517 1645 1646

KO

股 己

215 329

孤 虎 虚 拠 古 故 湖 枯 鼓 弧 誇 呼 去 固 個 錮 戸 雇 顧

627 899 902 1029 1142 1144 1145 1147 1314 1664 1770 1801 1841 1983 1984 1986 2202 2212 2213

KŌ

仰 好 交 幸 孝 口 后 抗 教 効 脅 尻 肯 勾 孔

18 36 46 50 56 118 124 174 219 260 263 266 271 296 307

公 拘 洪 港 光 坑 降 荒 慌 校 耗 香 康 講 溝 構 絞 考 購 工 項 攻 功 巧 江 紅 貢 更 硬

324 347 399 400 460 468 499 576 577 630 682 717 771 805 806 807 958 1000 1170 1197 1198 1199 1200 1201 1202 1205 1206 1235 1237 1238

耕 綱 酵 興 航

1253 1266 1354 1418 1455

皇 甲 侯 候 喉 黄 鋼 恒 郊 格 控 向 庫 広 鉱 厚 高 稿 行 衡 後

2148

混 根 懇 墾 紺 痕 献 婚 金 魂 困 建

2183

KOTSU

1652 1657 1687 1688 1689 1708 1731 1831 1919 1963 2122

2190 2192 2254 2255 2256 2267 2272 2285

KOKU

黒 石 告 克 酷 刻 穀 国 谷

459 518 556 1143 1361 1482 1866 1916 1978

KON

恨 今 昆

96 161 354

骨 滑

632

薫 勲

871

KUTSU

872

屈 掘 窟

394

962 1038

KYOKU

1226

局 曲 極

1849 2114

脚

1720

KYAKU

1760

却 脚 客

1913 2061

1845

1844 1845 2159

KYO

虚 拠 挙 許 居 巨 拒 距 去

67 388

59 118 2072 241 265 345

902 1029 1055 1059 1148

1841

KYŌ

1146

凶 胸 兄 挟 教 共 供 恭 脅 脇 叫 況

1197 1200 1205 1206 1396 1400 2183

2121

KUN

君 訓

1225

1848

1530

KŪ

空

1224

712

KYA

1435

KU

久 口 宮 供 九 句 苦 工 功 紅 貢 区 駆 庫

峡 香 狭 驚 経 協 恐 興 狂 強 境 鏡 競 郷 響 京 享 橋 矯

709

206 433

719

75 76 125 172 219 240 241 242 263 264 343 390

490 717 857 928 975 1137 1208 1418 1653 1663 1809 1810

873 874 963 964 972 999 1186 1336 1661 2072 2108 2112

1811

M

1932

MA

1933 2241 2249 2259 2260

346 1410 2010

KYŪ

久 及 吸 急 脅 九 旧 泣 丘 休 嗅

求 救 給 級 糾 朽 球 臼 弓 宮 究 窮

59

麻 摩 魔 磨

2197 2198 2199 2200

MAI

毎 枚 妹 昧 米 埋

28 635 692 695 756 2037

189

MAKU

190

膜 幕

192 263

582 1085

MAN

487

万 慢 漫 満

629

MATSU

863

末

265 357 385

536 1126 1127 1240

689

抹

375

耗 網 猛 望

379

MOKU

837

目 墨 木 黙

690

MEI

命 名 明 鳴 盟 銘 冥 迷

159

1293 1729 2173 2355

MEN

免 面 麺 綿

19 99 591 1090

METSU

滅

1620

MI

眉 未 味 魅

1262 1297 1651

91 476 628 866

MON

文 紋 門 聞 問

58 959 2219 2221 2222

MOTSU

物

1545

MU 98

691 693 694

MIN

民 眠

682

1535 1536

無 謀 矛 務 霧 武 夢

609 667 1546

模 茂

648 1610

MŌ

妄 盲 毛

24

内

420

MYŌ 159 375 379 745 2173

92

N

115

NA

脳 悩 能 農 濃 納

NAN

軟 南 難 男 納

1242 1434 1713 2034 2096

185

896 2046 2047 2096

574

23 121

女 尿

864 865

23 381

NYŪ

1141

乳 柔 入

1242

606

309 1547 1718

皇 押 黄 横 央 凹 奥 応 往

和 汚 悪

1132 1133 1337

翁 桜 欧 殴 王 旺

NICHI 348

NIKU 62

NIN 1

720

1708 1709 1893 2013 2125 2175 2286

億 臆 憶 屋

1771 2015

1693

147 374 719 1295 1936 2342

306

173 1263 2051

RAI 843

1172 1397 1398 1648 1650

来 頼 礼 雷

696 699 1779 2018

RAKU

楽

1966

RAN

乱 卵 覧 濫 藍 欄

308 791 1302 1303 1304 2226

辣

OTSU

拉 羅 裸

1964

150 151

乙

1962

RATSU

ON

音 怨 穏 温 恩 遠

落 絡 酪

149

RA 716

Ō

1564

1658

R

O

11

1652

OKU

O

NI

人

89

NYŌ

759

肉

78

女 如

164

日

1528

NYO

NEN

尼 二 仁 児 弐

1527

若

2087

念 捻 粘 然 燃 年 軟

1222

NYAKU

NEI

寧

1220

NŌ

2095

熱

密 蜜

命 名 明 妙 冥

NAI

1623

脈

MO

2096

NETSU

MYAKU

2138

1929

1549

1854

妊 任 忍 認

1774

1548

MITSU 2137

奈 那 納

944

1807

REI

令 冷 霊 零 励 齢 麗 例 鈴 礼 隷 戻

157 427 444 445 538 766 931 1496 1727 1779 1794 2210

REKI

歴 暦

653 654

REN

恋 練 錬 廉 連

314 979 1736 2181 2329

RETSU

劣 列 烈 裂

748 1495 1497 1498

RI

吏 離 璃 利 痢 里 裏 理 履

204 1273 1274 1520 1522 2036 2039 2041 2296

2275

RIKI

力

257

RIKU

陸

603

RIN

林 隣 倫 輪 臨 鈴 厘

651 758 1078 1251 1383 1727 2038

RITSU

立 率 慄 律

40 947 1379 2275

RO

呂

1965 1967 1968 2204

RŌ

RICHI

律

賂 路 露 炉 老 漏 糧 楼 朗 浪 弄 籠 郎 露 労 廊

55 448 761 764 1290 1291 1649 1818 1931 1968 2166 2186

ROKU

麓 緑 録 六

930 1256 1737 2172

RON

論

1079

RU

流 留 瑠

436 2239 2240

RUI

類 累 塁 涙

867 2022 2042 2211

RYAKU 79

略

2025

RYO

侶 慮 旅 虜

SA

唆 茶 沙 砂 再 査 作 詐 差 左 佐 鎖

80 901 1019 2035

RYŌ

了 領 霊 陵 僚 瞭 量 糧 漁 猟 療 料 両 良 寮 涼

32 158 444 607 678 679 713

殺 妻 捉 災 采 彩 採 菜 再 催 細 才 砕 最 財 西 済 切 栽 裁 載

802 861 1041 1045 1239 1288 2080 2242

257 1256

RYŪ

立 流 硫 隆 粒 竜 柳 留

570 749 750 803 1069 1119 1120 1204 1210 1211 1741

SAI

761

RYOKU

力 緑

323

40 436 520 554 757 1816 2237 2239

S 721

1542 198 278 454 657 658 659 660 803 819 960 1013 1114 1128 1171 1372 1420 1540 1596 1597 1599

歳 債 斎 祭 際 宰 塞

1621 1750 1786 1788 1789 2093 2133

冊 撮 刷 殺 刹 察 擦

1074 1129 1486 1542 1543 2146

SAKU

2147

索 冊 柵 作 昨 酢 削 錯 策 搾

989 1074 1076 1119 1121 1366 1479 1730 1747 2110

SAN

参 惨 山 産 算 散 蚕 傘 三 賛 酸 桟

369 370 488 555 624 625 793 1081 1134 1160 1356 1606

SATSU

拶 早 札

434 545 640

SE

世 施

615 1018

SECHI

節 刹

1322 1543

SEI

凄 声 生 姓 性 星 勢 世 省 牲 井 丼 醒 西 斉 青 静 情 請 晴 清

428 524 551 552 553 557 605 615 746 911 1252 1254 1362 1372 1419 1427 1428 1429 1430 1431 1432

精 制 製 成 誠 盛 歳 誓 聖 正 婿 政 整 征 逝

1433 1518 1519 1614 1615 1617 1621 1632 1655 1945 1946 1948 1951 2290 2335

SEKI

脊 跡 夕 昔 惜 赤 石 籍 隻 戚 析 斥 責 積 績 寂 席

315 371 438 440 461 518 683 815 1611 1626 1638 1749 1752 1753 2091 2194

273

393 404 431 489 530 642 786

栓

1630 1806 1847 2111

SHA

SHAKU

1607

尺 昔 借 赤 石 釈 爵 酌

932 973 994 1140

1193

1578 1598

1745 1952 1975 2076 2205 2306 2330

SETSU

設 摂 説 雪 節

1542

1605

923

216 227 320 446 1322

思 自 司 伺 諮 詞 旨 脂

1540

1604

921

1469

戦 繊 践 浅 箋 銭 旋 船 宣 扇 選 遷

切 殺 折 接 拙 窃 射 謝 赦 者 煮 砂 斜 車 社 写 舎 捨 遮

787

1192

66

SEN

先

潜 洗 川 仙 占 染 泉 腺 羨 鮮 薦 線 専 千

236 237

269

SHICHI

284

七

109 122 123 135 136 140 141 175

指 使 史 止 志 誌 寺 詩 師 始 私 歯 雌 糸 紫 施 嗣 支 肢 枝 資 賜 飼 氏 紙 試

463 671 674 750 1047 1241 1781 1856 1926 1927 2345

60 438 439 461 518 776 1320 1363

SHI

次 姿 子 死 恣

207

質 士 仕 矢 至 刺 示 視 祉 市 姉 四

90

3 26 35 69 86

722

181 205

285 286 288 293 303 721 765 816 955 968 1018 1075 1151 1153 1156 1158 1306 1330 1529 1531 1570

1627 1640 1641 1680 1692 1748 1773 1776 1778 1896 1897 1977

1537

SHIKI

色 式 識 織

22 1568 1586 1587

SHIN

娠 身 心 臣 唇 信 診 振 侵 申 伸 津 浸 震 芯

25 31 83 100 120 132 134 169 213 339 340 396 397 443 563

森 紳 真 慎 針 神 辛 親 新 薪 寝 審 深 進

655 971 1347 1348 1740 1780 1804 1813 1814 1815 2083 2094 2120 2317

SHITSU

執 失 漆 湿 叱 質 疾 嫉 室

51 186 670 992 1538 1627 1690 1691 2090

SHO

書 暑 諸 緒 処 署 初 庶 所

210 672 673 978 1028 1258 1487 2193 2207

SHŌ

承 訟 唱 晶 焼 声 生 姓 性 星 笑 松 相 小 肖 消 硝 少 省 抄 渉 焦 礁 象 詳 将 奨 升 昇 称 井 丼 青 請 清

246 325 350 368 484 524 551 552 553 557 617 641 661 738 739 740 741 744 746 747 755 823 824 885 917 1035 1036 1051 1052 1099 1252 1254 1427 1430 1432

精 勝 召 詔 招 沼 紹 昭 照 匠 装 傷 上 祥 章 彰 障 憧 鐘 正 政 証 症 宵 商 尚 掌 賞 償 床 粧 衝 従

1433 1472 1499 1500 1501 1503 1504 1505 1506 1628 1644 1719 1754 1782 1820 1821 1822 1824 1826 1945 1948 1947 1953 2079 2097 2149 2151 2154 2155 2180 2182 2270 2291

SHOKU

色

22

属 嘱 触 食 飾 殖 植 拭 職 織

秋 愁 集 習 臭 羞 終 袖 衆 醜 酬 舟 祝 襲 囚 周 宿 宗 就 蹴 週

799 800 906 1326 1334 1403 1404 1569 1585 1587

SHU

首 手 取 走 趣 修 朱 殊 腫 種 主 珠 衆 酒 守 狩

103 167 202 274 275 424 686 687 708 724

733 825 844 862 919 974 1105 1300 1357 1360 1454 1777 1819

1996 2134 2143 2244 2245 2343

SHUKU

1185

粛 叔 淑 祝 宿 縮

1300 1359 2100 2101

1421 1574 1576 1777 2134 2135

SHUN

34

424

俊 旬 春 瞬

437

SHUTSU

727

出

51 184 344

723

SO

措 塑 想 素 阻 租 粗 狙 組 訴 祖 礎 疎

322 366 614 1853

1846

441 469 662 976 1068 1070 1071 1072 1073 1639 1783 1949 1950 2307

1911

1020

SHŪ

充 執 拾 収 修 州 秀

732

SŌ

爽 双 争 喪 走 趣 捜 早 葬 草 奏 相 想 霜 桑 曹 槽 騒 総

52 223 256 267 274 275 465 545 566 569 599 661 662 663 680 705 706 895 969

痩 掃 巣 操 燥 藻 挿 壮 荘 装 曽 僧 層 贈 窓 宗 踪 倉 創 送 遭

1040 1093 1269 1385 1386 1387 1562 1642 1643 1644 2028 2029 2030 2033 2075 2143 2144 2217 2218 2305 2313

SOKU

息 趣 足 促 捉 束 即 則 側 測 塞 速

110 275 276 277 278 697 1321 1523 1524 1525 2133 2312

SON

村 孫 存 尊 損

636

T

1014

TA

1369 1994

SOTSU 947 1113

SU

子 須 数 素 主 守

35 114 763 976 1020 2100

SŪ

数 枢 崇

763 1399 2145

SUI

吹 水 炊 垂 睡 推 穂 帥 衰 粋 酔 出 遂

229

986

2326

率 卒

寸

119 380 452 734 736 814 996 1084 1112 1116 1365 1846 2319

SUN

太 他 多 汰

44 311 372 386

TAI

大 太 替 耐 対 胎 台 怠 泰 体 堆 隊 態 代 袋 貸 戴 帯 滞 待 退 逮

37 44 146 231 232 304 302 305 600 685 818 878 897 1565 1566 1567 1595 1877 1878 2281 2303 2324

TAKU

択 沢 拓 託

177 387 521 611

濯 卓 宅 度

帝 諦 締 邸 提 堤 廷 艇 定 底 庭 亭 停 逓

848 1270 2078 2195

TAN

旦 胆 担 淡 炭 反 端 丼 単 丹 短 嘆 鍛 誕 探 綻 壇

358 361 362 457 491 509 540 1254 1267

笛 的 摘 敵 滴 適

1683 1711 1725 2067 2119 2157

1904 1925 1956 1957 2064 2065

天 添 点 殿 典 展 填 転 店

2322

685 1227 1229 1343 1344 1533

2184 2187 2264 2265 2357

618 1049 1907 1908 1909 2339

39 414 531 1030 1080 1214 1349 1763 2179

TETSU

1534

撤 哲 鉄

1654 1656 1674

724

徹 迭

222 1631 1723

2277 2336

TO

土 吐 妬 塗 斗

466 471 519 543 1044 1169

2156

TEN

2266

TEI

体 丁 訂 貞 偵 低 抵 呈 程 弟

1903

TEKI

1426

TATSU

達

1902

登 都 図 度 渡 徒 途

1310 1923 2011 2195 2196 2280 2311

TŌ

投 討 踏 湯 冬 搭 塔 答 等 桃 東 凍 棟 当 唐 糖 島 統

217 234 405 410 430 572 573 619 623 645 701 702 704 742 772 773 839 957

陶 灯 悼 盜 豆 頭 痘 登 稲 筒 謄 騰 藤 刀 到 倒 読 納 党 闘 逃 透 道

1061 1231 1271 1294 1307 1308 1309 1310 1340 1417 1471 1473 1474 1475 1698 1699 1863 2096 2150 2228 2310 2314 2347

TOKU

篤 特 匿 督 読 得 徳

894 910 1391 1575 1863 2278 2288

TON

屯 頓 豚

612 613 876

団

1912

TOTSU

凸 突

2012

WAN

湾 腕

都 通

1923 2332

TSŪ

痛 通

1439 2332

TSUI

対 椎 墜 追

232 820 879 2353

U U

右 有 雨 羽 宇

188 199 442 840 2092

UN

雲 運

1766 2338

UTSU

鬱

1857

W WA

話 和

138 716

WAI

賄

1163

WAKU

惑

2000

2124

Y

2107

TSU

1667

YA

夜 冶 野

376 429 2040

YAKU

訳 厄 躍 薬 疫 約 益 役

133 505 846 945 1039 1050 1298 2276

YO

予 預 余 与 誉

82 108 541 1053 1054

YŌ

妖 揚 陽 葉 曜 羊 洋 様 幼 瘍 謡

48 365 500 650 847 914 920 922 943 1042 1063

揺 養 要 腰 用 踊 庸 擁 窯 容 溶

幽 融 猶 勇 湧 憂 優 郵 裕 遊

1064 1333 1376 1377 1436 1438 1453 1930 2109 2161

由 唯 遺

170 413

1440 1441 1869 1870 1924 1982 2327

1981

在 材 財 罪 剤

395 1463 1464 1465

2328

481 2178

1015 1016 1171 1259 1494

153

惨 残 斬 暫

188

ZATSU

199

雑

1467 2327

370 1603 1635 1636

1117

ZEI

224

是

423

1954

ZEI

728

説

822

725

864 924 925 980 1191 1242 1468 1637 1784

129 956

ZO

ZAN

1466

然 善 膳 繕 全 軟 前 漸 禅 舌 絶

ZAI

153

ZEN

811

ZA

挫 座

722

ZETSU

842 1980

税

153

Z

YŪ

由 右 有 友 悠 誘 雄

1368

841

YU

由 油 愉 諭 喩 癒 輸 遊

1352

YUI

2162

YOKU

抑 沃 翌 翼 欲 浴

950

320

曽

2028

ZŌ

象 像 雑 蔵 臓 憎 増 贈 造

885 886 1117 1612 1613 2031 2032 2033 2320

ZOKU

属 賊 族 続 俗

799 1580 1682 1864 1979

ZON

存

1014

ZU

事 豆 頭 図

211 1307 1308 2011

ZUI

髄 随

2350 2351

Kunyomi Readings Index
 A abareru

暴 abiru 浴 abunai 危 abura 脂 油 ageru 揚 挙 上 ago 顎 ai 相 藍 aida 間 aji 味 akai 赤 akari 明 akarui 明 akatsuki 暁 akeru 空 開 aki 秋 akinau 商 akiraka 明 akirameru 諦 akiru 飽 akogareru 憧 ama 尼 amai 甘 amaru 余 ame 天 雨 ami 網

編 ana 穴 anadoru 侮 ane 姉 ani 兄 ao 青 aogu 仰 arai 粗 arashi 嵐 arasu 荒 arata 新 aratameru 改 arau 洗 arawareru 現 arawasu 著 表 aru 有 在 aruku 歩 asa 朝 麻 asai 浅 ase 汗 aseru 焦 ashi 上 足 脚 asobu 遊 ataeru 与 atai 価 值

2216

atarashii

2016

atari

頭

1308

amu 769 1981 506 141 395 365 1055 1754 1769 661 1304 2232 693 461 379 379 483 2121 2229 732 2097 379 1903 1331 1824 11 152 541 39 442 1262

atama 726

29

atatakai

1897 125

ateru

1427 18 1071

ato

1423 576 1814

atsui

333

atsui

404

atsui

1184 675 1107

atsukau atsumeru au

199 1015 752

awa

548

awai

2197

awaremu

1605

awaseru

1552

awateru

823

ayamachi

269

ayamaru

276 1845

ayashii

2327 1053 1373 1402

ayatsuru ayaui ayumu aza

新 辺 暖 温 充 当 宛 跡 痕 後 熱 暑 厚 扱 集 合 会 遭 泡 淡 哀 併 慌 過 誤 謝 妖 怪 操 危 歩 字

1814 2333 352 1295 34 742 2123 315 1038 2285 606 672 2254 191 825 160 1764 2313 409 457 1987 43 577 2304 137 237 48 486 1385 506 752 2071

azakeru

549

azamuku azayaka azukeru

欺 鮮 預

泥

doro E

923 108

場 化 辺 豚

bakeru be buta

474 6 2333 876

fune

江 柄

e

eda

枝 描 笑 選 偉 襟 獲 得

egaku emu erabu erai eri

C chi

chichi chigau chigiru chiisai chijimu chikai chikara chikau chirakasu

乳 千 血 父 乳 違 契 小 縮 近 力 誓 散

309

eru

1140 1299

esa

damaru dare dasu deru donburi dono

fureru

1329

furu

1156 2044

2340

fuchi

1516

fuda

738

fude

2135

fue

2334

fueru

257

625

337

furueru

617

furui

2306

furuu

1970

fusa

1796

fusagu

859

fusegu

2278

fushi

1329

fusu

F

309

fuji fukai

D

抱 黙 誰 出 出 丼 殿

1233

futa

fukeru daku

1202

208

1632

麓 踏 舟 船 触 振 降 震 古 奮 房 塞 防 節 伏 双 蓋 再 二 太 懐 冬

fumoto fumu

1276

B ba

382

fuku

866 812 1846

fukumu

1846

fukuramu

1254

fukuro

1030

fumi 727

縁 札 筆 笛 殖 増 藤 深 老 更 吹 拭 噴 含 膨 袋 文

983

futatabi

640

futatsu

621

futoi

618

futokoro

1403

fuyu

930 405 1454 1975 906 169 499 443 1142 2020 2208 2133 1886 1322 855 223 1843 803 1132 44 1110 430

2032

G

1474 2120

gake

55

gara

1235

崖 柄 側

gawa

515 1233 1524

119

H

1569 1178 163 1315 1566 58

ha

端 葉 歯 羽 刃

540 650 765 840 1526

幅 阻 省 蜂 肌 裸 生

1371

映 栄 hagane 鋼 hagemu 励 hageshii 激 hagu 剥 hagukumu 育 haha 母 hai 灰 hairu 入 haji 恥 hajimaru 始 hajime 初 haka 墓 hakaru 諮 謀 量 計 測 図 hako 箱 hakobu 運 haku 吐 掃 履 hama 浜 hana 花

1894

haneru

2167

hara

haba habamu habuku hachi hada hadaka haeru

1068

hana

746

hanahada

796

hanareru

1026

hanasu

2051 551

hane

1731 538

harau

1890

hareru

1488 65

hari

27

haru

458 1718 112 303

hasamu hashi

華 鼻 甚 離 話 放 羽 跳 原 腹 払 腫 晴 針 春 貼 張 挟 端

1487 587 135 667 713 1136 1525 2011 664 2338 471 1093 2296 1634 561

橋 hashira 柱 hashiru 走 hata 旗 機 畑 hatake 畑 hataraku 働 hatasu 初 果 hayai 早 速 hayashi 林 hazukashii 恥 728

1282

hazukashimeru

1393

hazumu

1273

hazusu

737

138 1889 840

hebi hedateru heru

535 788

hi

2262 297 708 1431

hibiku

1740

hidari

614

hieru

1167

higashi

1662

hiideru

172

hiji

540

hikaeru

676

hikari

2259

hiki

1023

hikiiru

274

hiku

1281 1601

hikui

2019

hima

2019

hime

711

himeru

1487

hira

2048

hiraku

545

hiroi

2312

hirou

651 112

hiru

辱

230

弾 外 蛇 隔 経 減 日 氷 火 灯 響 左 冷 東 秀 肘 控 光 匹 率 弾 引 低 暇 姫 秘 平 開 広 拾 昼 干

1668 528 2081 1351 975 2003 348 425 451 1231 1933 1210 427 701 727 233 2122 460 1392 947 1668 1672 1533 517 101 1573 1800 2229 2190 184 360 1550

翻 hisashii 久 hisomu 潜 hitai 額 hitasu 浸 hito 人 hitomi 瞳 hitori 独 hitoshii 等 hitotsu 一 hitsuji 羊 hiza 膝 ho 穂 帆 hodo 程 hodokosu 施 hogaraka 朗 hoka 他 外 hoko 矛 hokorobiru 綻 hokoru 誇 homare 誉 homeru 褒 hōmuru 葬 hone 骨 honoo 炎 hoo 頬 hora 洞 hori 堀 horobiru 滅 horu 掘 彫 hoshi 星 hirugaesu

2054 59 393 2160

欲 細 欲 干 蛍 仏

hoshii hosoi hossuru hosu

397

hotaru

1

hotoke

1980

ina

960

ine

1980

inochi

1550

inoru

2168

inu

295

iro

1825

I

858 623 1130 914 669 996 1413 1656 1018 1290 311 528 1546 2157 1770 1054 1103 566 67 455 107 1416 1850 1620 1849 1997 557

ireru

i

irodoru

井

ibara

1252

iru

562

市 ichijirushii 著 idaku 抱 idomu 挑 ie 家 ieru 癒 ikaru 怒 ike 池 iki 息 粋 ikidooru 憤 ikioi 勢 ikiru 生 ikoi 憩 iku 行 逝 戦 ima 今 imashime 警 imashimeru 警 戒 imawashii 忌 imo 芋 imōto 妹 ichi

729

1896

否 稲 命 祈 犬 入 色 彩 射 居 要

337

isagyoi

2126

isamu

1466

ishi

197

ishizue

407

isogashii

110

isogu

1116

ita

1177

itadaku

605

itai

551

itamu

130 2267

itaru

2335

itasu

1578

ito

161

itoma

927

itonamu

927

itsukushimu

1582 331 1772 692

1340 159 1787 854 1718 22 658 236 1148 1376 1469

675

534

559

itsutsu itsuwaru iu iwa

鋳 潔 勇 石 礎 忙 急 板 頂 痛 悼 傷 至 致 糸 暇 営 慈 五 偽 言 岩

1732 1515 1440 518 1949 85 192 643 1228 1439 1271 1719 1692 1695 955 517 2165 952 1834 888 131 523

祝 嫌 卑 泉

iwau iya iyashii izumi

1777 730

kakawaru kakeru

kabe kabu kado kaerimiru kaeru

kaesu kagami kagayaku kage

日 香 蚊 鹿 壁 株 角 門 顧 替 変 帰 換 返 鏡 輝 陰 影

kagi kagiru kago kagu kai kaiko kakaeru kakageru kakari kakaru

限 籠 嗅 貝 蚕 抱 掲 係 架

2220 2

掛

786

348

kaki

717 795

kakomu

929

kaku

2007 688

kakusu

905

kama

駆 垣 柿 囲 描 書 隠

337

kaneru

182

kangaeru

鎌 窯 構 亀 髪 紙 上 神 雷 醸 奏 要 必 悲 芳 金 鐘 兼 考

kangamiru

鑑

2219 2213 146

kamaeru

316

kame

1478

kami

2117 2309 1810 1876

kaminari

1761

kamosu

2248

kanaderu

2063

kaname

495

kanarazu

1818

kanashii

863 1157

kanbashii kane

793

985 637

kanmuri kano kao

1380

K ka

関 欠

730

529

kaori

1169

kaoru

1400

kara

1832 1899

karada

1917

karai

2044

karamu

210

karauta

498

kare

1724

kareru

1733

kari

1742

2109 807

kariru

808

karoyaka

225

karu

1531

karui

1754

kasa

1780

kasaneru

2018

kasegu

1364

kashikoi

599

kashira

1376

kasu

1571

kata

852 1887 1720 1826 729 1000

katachi katai

冠 彼 顔 香 薫 殻 空 体 辛 絡 詩 彼 枯 仮 狩 借 軽 刈 軽 傘 重 稼 賢 頭 貸 片 潟 形 型 方 肩 形 堅 硬

1858 2284 508 717 709 1865 2121 685 1804 1964 288 2284 1147 510 2101 439 1247 1539 1247 1081 707 2128 1164 1308 1567 1031 1341 1558 1561 1880 2203 1558 470 1237

難 固 kataki 敵 katamari 塊 katamuku 傾 katana 刀 kataru 語 katawara 傍 katayoru 偏 kate 糧 katsu 且 勝 katsugu 担 kau 買 飼 kawa 川 皮 革 河 kawaku 渇 乾 kawara 瓦 kawaru 代 kawasu 交 kayou 通 kazaru 飾 kaze 風 kazoeru 数 ke 毛 kegasu 汚 kemono 獣 kemuru 煙 keru 蹴 kesu 消

1713

keta

1983

kewashii

1908

kezuru

472

ki

106 1475 1837

kiba

1901

kibishii

2215 761 1066 1472 362 1264 1330 431 935 940 1004 392 547 2068 1565 46 2332 1334 1422 763 115 1771 1268 1374 2245 740

桁 険 削 生 木 黄

2269 496 1479 551 628 1708 155

厳 kieru 消 kiku 効 聴 利 聞 kimeru 決 kimi 君 kimo 肝 kinu 絹 kirau 嫌 kiri 霧 kiru 着 切 斬 kishi 岸 kisou 競 kita 北 kitaeru 鍛 kitanai 汚 kiwa 際 kiwamaru 極 窮 kiwameru 究 kiyoi 清 kizamu 刻 kizashi 兆 731

2201 740 260 1407 1520 2221 1707 206 1551 961 730 1549

傷 kizuku 築 ko 子 小 粉 kō 神 kobamu 拒 kobushi 拳 koe 声 koeru 肥 koeru 超 koeru 越 kogeru 焦 kogoeru 凍 koi 恋 濃 koinegau 希 kokonotsu 九 kokoro 心 kizu

1719 1209 35 738 1510 1780 1225 768 524 64 1502 1609 823 702 314 2047 1088 265 83

1540

kokoromiru

試

1570

1635

kokoroyoi

快

1706

kokorozasu

志

284

koma

駒 細 困 米 籠 混 込 被 粉 好

892

916

1553 1811 7 1725

komakai

1771

komaru

1789

kome

2010

komoru

2112

komu

2108 1432

kōmuru

1482

kona

532

konomu

960 1913 756 1818 394 2337 1106 1510 36

koori kooru koriru koro korogaru koromo korosu koru koshi kotaeru kotaeru koto

kotobuki kou kowai kotowaru kowasu koyomi kubaru kubi kuchi kuchibiru kuchiru kuda kudaku kuasaru kuiru kujira kuki

氷 凍 懲 頃 転 衣 殺 凝 腰 答 応 異 言 事 殊 琴 寿 乞 請 怖 断 壊 暦 配 首 口 唇 朽 管 砕 下 悔 鯨 茎

425 702 2294 105 1763 1101 1542 1960 1377 619 2175 71 131 211 687 1190 595 328 1430 1087 1629 1111 654 1358 103 118 120 999 2104 1114 1838 87 2243 568

熊 kumo 雲 kumoru 曇 kumu 組 酌 kuni 国 kura 蔵 倉 kurasu 暮 kuraberu 比 kurai 位 暗 冥 kurenai 紅 kureru 暮 kuroi 黒 kuru 来 繰 kuruma 車 kurushii 苦 kuruu 狂 kusa 草 kusai 臭 kusari 鎖 kusaru 腐 kuse 癖 kushi 串 kusuri 薬 kutsu 靴 kutsugaesu 覆 kuu 食 kuwa 桑 kuwadateru 企 kuwaeru 加 kuma

732

898

kuwashii

1766

kuyashii

1767

kuzu

1073

kuzusu

詳 悔

917 87 564

崩

1195

真 間 maboroshi 幻 machi 町 街 mado 窓 madowasu 惑 mae 前 magaru 曲 magireru 紛 mago 孫 mairu 参 majieru 交 makanau 賄 makaseru 任 makeru 負 maki 牧 makoto 誠 maku 巻 makura 枕 mame 豆 mamoru 守 manabu 学 manako 眼 maneku 招 manukareru 免 mare 希 maru 丸

1347

1363

M

1916 1612 2217 584 5 41 351 2173 1205 584 459 696 1388 1241 1146 1653 569 862 1741 2189 2008 1056 945 941 2297 1326 680 270 261

ma

2232 948 2023 2268 2075 2000 1468 1410 1511 986 369 46 1163 1222 1175 909 1615 767 1861 1307 2100 2170 97 1501 19 1088 504

円 正 勝 升 増 又 股 瞬 的 松 待

1879

政

1948

祭 全 舞 周 回 迷 眉 繭 混 貧

1788

女

23

目 芽 megumu 恵 meguru 巡 meshi 飯 mesu 雌 召 mezurashii 珍 mi 身

91

marui masa masaru masu mata matataku mato matsu matsurigot o matsuru mattaku mau mawari mawaru mayou mayu mazaru mazushii me

1945

michi

1472

michibiku

1051

michiru

2032

midara

187

midasu

215 1853 1049 641 2281

1191 608 1996 338 2355 98 1100 394 1512

565 995 2308 1332 816 1499 1183 31

実 道 導 満

乱 midori 緑 migaku 磨 migi 右 mijikai 短 mijime 惨 miki 幹 mikotonori 詔 mimi 耳 mina 皆 minami 南 minamoto 源 minato 港 mine 峰 minikui 醜 minoru 実 miru 見 診 misaki 岬 misao 操 misasagi 陵 mise 店 mitasu 満 mitomeru 認 mitsu 三 mitsugu 貢 miya 宮 miyako 師 都 733

2163

mizo

2347

mizu

2348

mizukara

1240

mizūmi

1221

mo

308 1256

mochi

溝 水 自 湖 喪 藻 持

1683 370 1554 1500 111 782 1434 790 400 593 1357 2163 93 134 1659 1385 607 2179 1240 1528 1134 1206 2072 293 1923

380 109 1145 267 1387 289 1328

2200 188

806

mochiiru

用 mōderu 詣 modoru 戻 moeru 燃 moguru 潜 momo 桃 mono 者 物 moreru 漏 mori 森 moru 盛 守 mōsu 申 moteasobu 弄 moto 本 基 元 下 motoi 基 motomeru 求 motsu 持 mottomo 最 moukeru 設 moyoosu 催 mugi 麦 mukaeru 迎

1436 142 2210 865 393 645 671 1545 448 655 1617 2100 339 1649 684 1278 1755 1838 1278 873 289 1128 216 819 590 2300

mukashi mukau muko mukuiru mune

mura murasaki muro musaboru mushi musu musubu musume mutsu muzukashii

昔 向 婿 報 胸 旨 棟 村 群 紫 室 貪 虫 蒸 結 娘 六 難

438 2148 1946

nabe nae naeru nagai nagameru nagareru nageku nageru nagomu nagusameru

naka

194 76 140

nakaba naku

704 636

nama

918

namakeru

968

namari

2090

nameraka

1162

nami

792 578

namida

1647

naname

1289

nanatsu

2172

nani

1713

naosu narabu

N na

nai

名 菜 鍋 苗 萎 長 永 眺 流 嘆 投 殴 和 慰

375

narau

660 1726

nareru

2043

naru

726

nasake

54

nashi

416

natsu

533

natsuku

436

nawa

1711 217 1398

nayamu

亡 無 中 仲 半 泣 鳴 生 怠 鉛 滑 並 波 涙 斜 七 何 治 直 並 習 倣 慣 成 情 梨 夏 懐 縄 悩

nazo

9 609

nebaru negau

1700

neko

1701

nemuru

912

nengoro

385

nerau

837

neru

551 305 1976

netamu ni

388

nibui

42

nigai

938

nigeru

2211

nigiru

1047

nigoru

1537

nii

1006

niji

406 1401 42

nikumu ninau niou

844 1884

niru

1181 1614

nise

1429

nishi

1521

nishiki

280 1110 981 89

niwa niwatori no nobasu

2356

音 根 値

ne

716 1791

734

147

noberu

632

noboru

1402

粘 願 猫 眠 懇 狙 練 寝 妬 荷 鈍 苦 逃 握 濁 新 虹 憎 担 匂 臭 似 煮 偽 西 錦 庭 鶏 野 伸 延 述 昇 登

759 789 2045 1536 871 1072 979 2083 519 1007 1734 1146 2310 1694 798 1814 1203 2031 362 15 862 300 674 888 1372 1739 2187 838 2040 340 2066 2315 1052 1310

上 nochi 後 nodo 喉 nogareru 逃 noki 軒 nokoru 残 nomu 飲 nonoshiru 罵 norou 呪 noru 乗 noseru 載 nozoku 除 nozomu 臨 望 nugu 脱 nuguu 拭 nuku 抜 numa 沼 nuno 布 nuru 塗 nushi 主 nusumu 盜 nuu 縫

1754 2285 1689 2310 1555 1603 1327 1260 126 656 1599 544 1383 1651 318 1569 226 1503 1086 543 1020 1294 2325

O o

obiru oboeru

尾 雄 緒 帯 覚

oboreru obyakasu ochiiru ochiru

116 822 978 1877 2171 1670

脅 陥 落

263 1339 1962

穏 odorokasu 驚 odoru 躍 踊 odosu 脅 ogamu 拝 ōgi 扇 oginau 補 ogosoka 厳 oi 老 oka 丘 岡 okasu 侵 犯 冒 oki 沖 okiru 起 okonau 行 okoru 怒 okosu 興 okotaru 怠 oku 置 奥 okureru 後 遅 okuru 贈 送 omo 主 omoi 重 omomuki 趣 omomuku 趣 赴 omote 面 表 odayaka

735

719

omou

928

on

846

onaji

1438

oni

263

onna

596

onoono

2205

onore

1446

ooi

2201

ookii

55 487 1265

ooyake ore oriru

213 856

oroka

1123

oroshi

1703

oru

334 2267

osaeru osameru

197 1418 305 1405

osanai

2125

oshieru

2285

oshii

2323

osoi

2033

osore

2305

osoreru

1020 707

osou

275

osu

275 527 99 1107

oto otoko

思 御 同 鬼 女 各 己 多 大 公 俺 降 下 愚 卸 折 抑 収 治 修 納 幼 教 惜 遅 虞 畏 恐 襲 推 雄 押 音 男

90 2287 1414 301 23 1961 329 372 37 324 341 499 1838 88 1065 1630 170 344 406 424 2096 943 219 440 2323 900 74 1208 1819 814 822 1658 147 2034

衰 otoru 劣 otoshiireru 陥 otōto 弟 otozureru 訪 otto 夫 ou 生 負 追 ōu 覆 owaru 終 oya 親 oyobu 及 oyogu 泳 otoroeru

1112 748

sabishii sachi sadameru saegiru sagaru sagasu sageru

sakazuki

1674

sake

1883

sakebu

53

sakeru

551

saiwai saka sakaeru sakai sakana sakanobor u

saki

1175 2353 2297

saku

974 1813 189

sakura

418

sama sameru

裁 寂 幸 定 遮 下 捜 探 提

sagesumu saguru

sakaru

1339

S sabaku

sakarau

探 幸 坂 栄 境 魚

1597 2091 50 2156

samui samurai sara

2345 1838

saru

465 2119

sasaeru

1956

sasou

1622

sasu

2119 50 511 2167

sato

1809

satoru

801

satosu

2307

sawa sawagu 736

逆 盛 杯 酒 叫 避 先 埼 崎 咲 割 裂 桜 様 妨 冷 覚 寒 侍 更 皿 去 猿 支 誘 指 差 挿 刺 里 悟 諭 沢 騒

2301

sawaru

1617 647

sawayaka

1359

sazukeru

343

se

2344 273

sei

1009

seki

1010

semai

244

semaru

1492 1498 1172 922 1881 427

seru shiawase shiba

2171

shibaru

2132

shiboru

287 1235

shibui

1292

shigeru

1841

shiiru

1991

shiitageru

1151

shika

728

shikaru

181

shiku

1204

shima

1562

shimaru

1748

shimeru

2036 1836 1464 387

shimesu

895

shimo

触 障 爽 授 背 瀬 背 関 狭 促 迫 攻 責 競 幸 芝 縛 絞 搾 渋 茂 強 虐 鹿 叱 敷 島 締 占 絞 湿 閉 示 霜

906 1822 52 1425 63 700 63 2220 857 277 2316 1199 1749 1811 50 567 1448 958 2110 415 1610 1663 903 929 1538 1891 839 1904 530 958 992 2227 1773 663

下 1838 shina 品 1382 shinobu 忍 1527 shinu 死 69 shio 潮 550 塩 1296 shiraberu 調 1998 shiri 尻 266 shirizoku 退 2303 shiro 白 778 代 1565 城 1616 shiru 汁 1138 知 1685 shirushi 印 255 shirusu 誌 285 記 332 shita 舌 129 下 1838 shitagau 従 2291 shitashii 親 1813 shitataru 滴 1909 shitau 慕 583 shizuka 静 1428 shizuku 滴 1909 shizumaru 鎮 1743

somuku

shizumu

1860

suji

sodateru

育 袖 1105 添 414 底 2184 損 1994 染 642 初 1487

sode soeru soko sokonau someru

65

sonaeru sono sora sōrō soru sosogu sosonokas u soto sou su

suberu subete sudeni sue sueru sugata sugi sugiru sugureru sui sukeru

背 供 備 園 空 候 反 注

sukoyaka suku sukunai sukuu 737

1697 1992

sumiyaka

2121

sumu

1688 509 1022 323

外 沿 州 巣 酢 滑 統 全 既 末 据 姿 杉 過 優 酸 筋 透

528

少 健 好 少 救

sumi

241

唆

suki sukoshi

63

1974 437

suna suru suru surudoi suso susumeru

1269 1366

susumu

388

sutareru

957

suteru

1191

suu

1323

suwaru

689 1149

suzu suzushii

墨 炭 隅 速 住 澄 済 砂 刷 擦 鋭 裾 勧 薦 進 廃 捨 吸 座 鈴 涼

476 491 494 2312 1021 1311 1420 750 1486 2147 1728 1150 831 932 2317 2185 1927 190 2178 1727 2242

26

T

633 2304

ta

1870

taba

1356

taberu

622

tabi

2314 743

tadachini

744

tadashi

2062

tadashii

36

tadayou

744 874

taeru

田 束 食 旅 度 直 但 正 漂 耐 絶

2016 697 1326 1019 2195 1401 359 1945 1798 231 956

堪 tagai 互 tagayasu 耕 tagui 類 taira 平 takai 高 takara 宝 take 丈 岳 竹 taki 滝 takigi 薪 taku 炊 takumi 巧 takuwaeru 蓄 tama 霊 玉 球 弾 tamago 卵 tamashii 魂 tamau 給 tamawaru 賜 tameru 矯 tamesu 試 tami 民 tamotsu 保 tana 棚 tane 種 tani 谷 tanomu 頼 tanoshii 楽 taoreru 倒 tareru 垂

1395

tashika

1833

tasu

1253

tasukeru

867

tatakau

1800 2255

tatami

2084

tate

203 492

tatematsuru

616

tateru

1817

tatoeru

1815

tatsu

452 1201 2057

tatsu

444

tattoi

1182 1186

tawamureru

1668

tawara

791

tayori

1760

tayoru

963

tazuneru

1306 2260

tazusaeru

1570

te

1535

tera

245 1196 724 1978 699

terasu to tobira toboshii tobu

944 1699 734

tochi todokeru 738

確 足 助 戦 闘 畳 盾 縦 奉 建 例 立 裁 断 竜 貴 尊 戯 俵 便 頼 尋 訪 携 手 寺 照 戸 扉 乏 跳 飛

1872

栃 届

646

276

todokooru tōge

1067

togeru

1578

togu

2228

tōi

2130

tojiru

1660

tokeru

2292

toki

597

tobu

2061 1496 40

tokoro toku

1597 1629

tomaru

1816 1173 1369

tomi

1579

tomo

1108 1236 699

tomonau

1213 1883

ton

810

tonaeru

167

tonaru

286

tono

1506

too

2202

tora

2206

toraeru

290 535

tori

849

toru

154

滞 峠 遂 研 遠 閉 溶 時 常 床 所 説 解 止 泊 留 富 友 共 供 伴 弔 問 唱 隣 殿 十 虎 捉 捕 鳥 執 取 採

1878 1839 2319 1559 2342 2227 2162 353 2153 2180 2207 320 1484 269 781 2239 2088 224 240 241 913 1679 2222 350 758 1030 1135 899 278 1444 836 51 202 659

tōru toshi tōtoi totonou totsugu tou tsu tsuba tsubasa tsubo tsubu tsubureru tsuchi tsuchikau tsudou tsugeru tsugi tsugu tsugunau tsuiyasu tsuka tsukamaeru

tsukaeru tsukareru tsukau tsukeru tsuki tsuku

撮 通 年 貴 尊 整 調 嫁 問 津 唾 翼 坪 粒 潰 土 培 集 告 次 継 接 償 費 塚 捕 仕 疲 使 遣 漬 月 付 着

1129 2332 1141 1173 1369 1951 1998 2127 2222 396 735 842 1803 757 1174 466 1940 825 556 3 1409 1806 2155 1678 1855 1444 1641 1043 205 2354 1751 377 235 916

突 就 tsukue 机 tsukurou 繕 tsukuru 作 創 造 tsukusu 尽 tsuma 妻 tsume 爪 tsumeru 詰 tsumetai 冷 tsumi 罪 tsumoru 積 tsumu 摘 tsumugu 紡 tsuna 綱 tsune 常 tsuno 角 tsunoru 募 tsura 面 tsuranaru 連 tsuranuku 貫 tsureru 連 tsuru 弦 釣 鶴 tsurugi 剣 tsutaeru 伝 tsutanai 拙 tsutomeru 勉 努 務 勤 739

2107

tsutsu

2244

tsutsumi

1027

tsutsumu

980

tsutsushimu

1119 2218

tsuya

2320

tsuyoi

426

tsuyu

198

tsuzuku

247

tsuzumi

筒 堤 包 慎 謹 艶 強 露 続 鼓

1417

奪 内 腕 上 飢 植 動 初 憂 氏 伺 受 請

827

1957 335 1348 1717 1318 1663 1968 1864 1314

1646

U

427 1259

ubau

1752

uchi

1907

ude

1888

ue

1266

ueru

2153 905

ugoku

585

ui

99 2329

uji

1180

ukagau

2329

ukeru

1666 1738 1873

uketamaw aru

1477

uku

1759

uma

1847

umareru

258 259

ume

1548

umeru

1716

umi

2095 2124 1754 1335 1404 710 1487 1869 1529 123 1424 1430

承

246

浮 馬 生 産 梅 埋 海

401 889 551 555 631 2037 384

促 une 畝 uo 魚 ura 浦 裏 uramu 恨 uranau 占 urayamu 羨 ureeru 憂 urei 愁 ureru 熟 uru 売 得 uruou 潤 urushi 漆 uruwashii 麗 ushi 牛 ushinau 失 ushiro 後 usu 臼 usui 薄 uta 唄 utagau 疑 utai 謡 utau 歌 utoi 疎 utsu 討 打 撃 utsukushii 美 utsuru 移 utsusu 写 映 utsuwa 器 unagasu

277 2058 801 1445

訴 uyamau 敬 uyauyashii 恭 uzu 渦 uttaeru

1639

242 389

2039

W

96

輪 我 wakai 若 wakareru 別 wakaru 分 wakasu 沸 wake 訳 wakeru 分 waki 脇 waku 枠 湧 warabe 童 warau 笑 ware 我 wareru 割 warui 悪 wasureru 忘 wata 綿 watakushi 私 wataru 航 渡 watashi 私 waza 技 業 wazawai 災

1251

1856

wazuka

1715

1894

wazurau

530 921 1869 733 2252 1862 2278 2235 670 931 907 186 2285 1336 1451 1161 1958 1063 1003 1950 234 1230 1245 915 723

wa

1389

740

煩 患

Y

926

1588 574 1476 1507 1677 133 1507 264 1115 1441 1823 617 1588 1492 2015 84 1090 721 1455 2196 721 1154 1827 454

453 1057

弥 矢 屋 家 yabureru 敗 yaburu 破 yado 宿 yakata 館 yaki 焼 yaku 焼 yama 山 yamai 病 yameru 辞 yami 闇 yamu 病 yanagi 柳 yasashii 易 優 yaseru 痩 yashinau 養 yashiro 社 yasui 安 yasumu 休 yatou 雇 yatsu 八 yawaragu 和 yawarakai 軟 柔 yo 夜 世 代 yō 八 ya

1665 1680 1693 2126 1165 937 2134 2105 484 484 488 1234 1805 2224 1234 2237 1305 1870 1040 1333 1781 2098 629 2212 312 716 1242 1547 376 615 1565 312

yobu yogosu yoi

yoko yome yomu yorokobu yoru

yoshi yosoou yotsu you yowai yu yū yubi yudaneru yue yuka yuki yuku yume yumi yureru

呼 汚 佳 善 良 宵 横 嫁 詠 読 喜 夜 依 因 寄 由 装 四 酔 弱 湯 夕 指 委 故 床 雪 行 逝

1801

yurui

1771

yurusu

478

yutaka

924

yuu

努 夢 弓 揺

259

1288

緩 許 豊 結 譲

yuzuru

967 1059 1317 1647 1217

2079

Z

1709 2127

銭

zeni

417 1863 1313 376 1102 1934 2082 153 1644 1977 1365 1669 410 371 181 725 1144 2180 446 2267 2335

1854 1661 1064

741

1745

Radicals’ Main Meanings

3

一 丨 丿亅 ㇒ 𠃌乛

4

丶

5

𠃍 𡿨

upper corner

-

6

𠃊

lower corner

-

7

slash & line

-

8

dot & line

-

cross

-

person

1

exhaling

2

1 2

9 10 11

亠 㐅 人 亻儿 欠

line

1130

column

-

slash

-

dot

-

25

骨

bones

67

26

歹

remaining bones

68

27

異

masked person

71

28

heart

83

29

心 忄⺗ 目 罒

eye

91

30

見

looking person

93

31

頁 耳 彡 口 舌 言 音

head

104

ear

111

hair

113

mouth

118

tongue

129

words

131

sound

147

talking mouth

156

32 33 34

12

匕

reverse person

13

尸

sitting person

10

14

勹

leaning person

14

15

卩

kneeling person

16

39

手 扌

hand

167

16

woman

23

40

又 𠂇⺕

187

child

outstretched hand

35

18

女 子 大

big person

37

41

殳

hand & hammer

214

19

立

standing person

40

42

攵

hand & weapon

218

20

fortune

50

43

寸

old person

55

working hand

229

21

幸 老 耂

廾

two hands

238

文

tattooed person

44

22

58

45

爪 爫

grabbing hand

247

46

争

fighting hand

256

17

4

23

尺

calf

60

24

肉 ⺝

meat

62

35 36 37 38

742

47

力

arm

257

75

艹 丰  麦

48

尤

outstretched arm

268

footstep

269

76

奉

walking foot

274

leg

276

77

竹 ⺮

still foot

279

78

木

tree

628

79

耒

branched tree

681

80

bundle

697

fruit tree

714

rice

756

teeth

765

white rice

778

serpent

792

fish

801

small bird

809

big bird

836

wings

840

dog

854

fierce animal

868

horse

889

tiger

899

horn

905

cattle

907

sheep

914

deer

929

caught animal

934

leather

940

coccon

942

thread

955

73 74

49

止 龰

50

52

走 足 夂

53

癶

ascending feet

281

54

舛

descending feet

282

footprint

292

82

ghost

301

83

乙 乚

unfolded energy

306

84

58

八 ハ丷

distributed energy

312

86

59

日 曰

sun

348

87

60

夕

crescent moon

371

61

full moon 月 water 水 氵 ice 氷 冫 rain 雨 ⻗ fire 火 灬 light 光 earth 土 mountain 山 阜 阝 mountains cliff 厂 stone 石 sunshine 

51

55 56 57

62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72

鬼

377

90

380

91

425

92

442

93

451

94

460

95

466

96

488

97

束 禾 米 歯 白 虫 魚 隹 鳥 羽 犬 犭 豸 馬 虎 虍 角 牛 牜 羊 鹿

98

隶

99

革 幺 糸

81

85

88 89

493 502 518

100

546

101

743

plants

560

lush plant

588

barley

590

two hands & pant

597

bamboo

616

102

stick

997

131

矢

arrow

1680

flaming flag

1017

132

金 釒

metal

1720

table

1031

133

divine power

1773

bed

1037

134

示 礻 凵

pit

1840

ladle

1044

135

冂 冖

1851

cloth

1082

delimited space

clothes

1101

136

囗

1910

thick rod

1135

encircled space

money

1157

137

邑

village

1918

jewel

1182

chariot

1241

cottage

1926

vessel

1292

field

2016

bounty vessel

hamlet

2036

1317

wall & floor

2060

roof tile

2068

roof

2070

open roof

2106

wall & roof

2174

door

2202

gates

2219

roads

2267

way

2274

movement

2298

103

㫃

104

113

片 疒 斗 巾 衣 衤 十 貝 玉 車 皿

114

豊

115

㿝 艮

food vessel

1319

116

食 飠

mouth & vessel

1326

117

jar

1353

145

bag

1372

146

products

1382

147

box

1390

148

boat

1454

149

dagger

1475

150

spear

1546

stake

1563

halberd

1577

big halberd

1608

axe

1625

128

酉 西 覀 品 匚 舟 刀 刂 矛 弋 戈 戊 斤 士

big axe

1640

129

王 𤣩

battle axe

1648

130

弓

bow

1661

105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112

118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127

乡 阝

138 139 140 141 142 143 144

744

舎 田 里 廴 瓦 宀 穴 宂 广 戸 門 行 彳 ⻌

Radicals Index 凵

1

1840

一 丨亅 ㇒ 丶

1130

3

-

一

𠃍𠃌

-

𠃊𡿨

-

乙乚

306

-

2 一

十 厂 匚

1135 502 1390 997

丨

冂冖

1851

㇒ -

㐅 人亻

1

儿 八ハ 312

丷 勹 力 匕

土 士 艹 廾 寸 大 弋

4

丶

亠

560 238 229 37 1563

口 囗 巾 山

118 1910

488

彳 彡

2274 113 156

夕 夂

371 279

丶

广 宀 ⻌

2298

𠃍 1661 35

23

1475

4

又𠂇

185

一

廴

2060

𠃊

942

丰 王

268 68 1577

588 1648

矢 禾 白

2068

269

手扌 牛牜 攵 斤 爪爫 欠 殳 心忄

377

167

癶 穴宂 矛 6

2 214

耳 耂老 米 西覀

83

451 1044

5

111 55 756 1372

耒 舌 竹⺮ 舟 行

681 129 616 1454 2267 292

1182

舛 争

518 1608

282 256

丶

㫃

1017

衣衤

1101

745

羽

金

840

糸

隶

7 一 131 590 274 1241 697 1353

一

革 頁

1157 93 276 1918

㇒

㿝艮

1319

豸 角

868

鬼 食飠

1326

音

147

10

馬

889

11

異 鳥 魚 鹿

71 836 801 929

12 765

13 597 50 546 442 899

2036 2219

㇒

隹 阜阝 舎

301

丶

歯

丨

里 門

67 1382

㇒

一

奉 幸  雨⻗ 虍虎

104

骨 品

905

8

940

丨

丨

貝 見 足 邑阝

934

9 955

言 麦 走 車 束 酉

1720

𠃍

𠃊

62

㇒

1773

425

1546

460

肉⺝

丨

氷冫

281 2016

丨

光 58

60

示礻 玉 石 戊

40

一

𠃍

尺

1037

𠃍

丶

文 火灬 斗

778

218

247

1292

914

𠃍

714

907

1625

792

1680

疒 立

345

羊𦍌

2016

丶

1031

380

91

㇒

2202

一

𠃊

女 幺

854

㇒

10

尸 弓 子

卩 刀刂

16

止 片 日曰 月 水氵

2174 2070

目罒 田 虫 皿

628

丨

1082

㇒

-

𠃍

1640

丨

14 257

466

木 犬犭 尤 歹 戈 戸 瓦

809 493 1926

豊

1317

2136 Characters Index 弐

1 一

1564

7

1

一

1130

2

二 丁 七

1132 1227 1537

更 豆 亜

1307 2014

8

武 画

1623 2059

9 203

面

99

536

丨

1013

2

1053

九

1550 1838

4

天

39

不 五 井 元 互

558 1834 1252 1755 1833

5

世 丙 平 正

615 1232 1800

再 百 両

803 1131

乙 孔 乱 乳

306 307

8 850

㇒

309

290 612

2一

1529

6 437 1336

十

丶 1254 1411

了

1135

冊 写

1074

8 1265

503

6

灰

458

9

冠 軍

1858 1874

千

1140

1142

巨 匹 区

1224 1392

8 1113 1137 1270 1401

単 南

1267 1434

10

真

32

博

冥

2173

2㇒

臣 匠

100

1058 551 28 1060 1141

気 希

医

774 1088

人 2

1684

10

匿

1391

巧

1201

2丨 4

丹 冗

人 入

1426 1859

1 1718

4

化 介 仏 以 仁

6 8 295 299 1133

5

付

311 489 1565 1641

6

充 企 似 仮 兆 休 伏 件 伎 任 伐 仲 伝 充

34 270 300 510 532 629 855 908 1151 1222 1581 1701 1759 34

7

㐅

7

1347

746

328

1628

冂

1449

乞 午 生 毎 缶 年

1396

6 1143

卒 協 卓 直

2201

匚

7

克

788

4 1151

古

2252

16

4

支

10 2038

他 仙 代 仕

1856

岡

圧

厳

12

𠃍

1239

5

9 734

丼 凡

2095

509

原

3

8

垂

1879

10

2

744

州 臼

505

厘 厚

5

4

乏 屯 少 氏

厄 反

308

十

1754

1945

6

乙

2

504

155

円 内 5

4 2055

431

非

1139

厂

𠃊

3

川 丸 上

準

82

彙

13

9

265

1134 1197

329

1235

3

丈 万 才 与 三 工 干 下

己 予

235

位 伺 伸 但 余 体 伯 伴 何 住 作 佐 児

41 123 340 359 541 685 779 913 1006 1021 1119 1211 1337

低

1533

8

併 使 供 侍 佳 依 価 例

43 205

倍 個 健 党

1939

287 478 1102 1373 1496

9

侮 侶 信 侵 保 促 俊 修 係 便 侯 俗

29

213 245 277 322

1236 1687

偶 偽 偵 側 偉 偏 停

倹 俺 借 俸 俳 倫 俵 値 候 倒 倣

166

598 851 1078 1108 1402 1688

1524 1970 2215 2265

12

傑 傘 備 傲 傍

312

小

738

4

父 公 分 六

208

1507 2172

5 912

共

1697

1901

13

働 催 像

711

886 1715

傷 債

1719 1750

1345

14

僚 僕 僧

678 1828 2029

15

億 儀

1468

10 729

11

黄 曽

2028

16

16

儒

勹

17

優

3 59

4 450

1870

匂 勾

885

5 261 1200

6

259 538

2166

旨

140

296

5

747

動 勘

1844 1065

刀

刀

1475

刃

1526

4 896

11

頃

260

14

疑

1958

1440

710 1394

1540

5

召 刊

1499 1556

6

刑

亠

1560

7

3

亡

9

4

方

別 判

1476 1485

1880

5

市

1896

交

46

8

夜 京

376 2241

594 698

1539

2丶

883

258

刈 切

105

6

11

15

1321

3

6

1067

勉 勃 勅 勇

791

2 7

754

効 劾

255

5

能 257

努 励 助 労

印 卵 即 却 卸

10

2

劣

卩

5

808

9 1418

久

4

8 1708

興

1716

北

7 767

149 1591

亀 象

9

兼

831

比

11

1080

巻 前

605

1175

加 功

42

819

勢 勧 勤

19

力

8

並 典 具

募

匕

9

1978

1892

506

力

7

谷

366

負

2𠃍 585

13 22

免

240

1081

335

色 旬 危

324

半

12

345

7

6 639

1699 1884

八

句 包 6

3

1344

341 439

2

888

1979

10

2062

73

424 985

八

11

80 132

2155

1984

2150

241

償

9

亭

2264

10

畝 高

2058 2255

14

豪

2257

8

券 刻 刷 制 刹 到 刺

1481 1482 1486 1518 1543 1698 1748

9

削

1479

10

剣 帰 剥

1477 1478 1488

班 剛 剤 剖

1489 1491 1494 1943

11

剰 副

廷 延 建

2064 2066 2061

2𠃊 1480 1493

12

割 創

1492 2218

15

劇

1483

凵

凶 出

75 1846

3 3一 3

2 187

3

及

189

4

双 友 収

223 224 344

5

右 皮 布 左

188 935 1086 1210

6

有 当

199 742

土

466

5

主 去

1020 1841

6

寺 地 在 至

286 473 1015 1692

7

赤 坑 均 坂 坊

461 468 475 511 1885

8

事 叔

8 211

坪

1803

1574

9

叙 度

542 2195

9

型 城 垣

1561 1616 1832

12

尋

10 1213

埋

堅 堆 埼 基 堀 堕 培 域 堂

470 818 1009 1278 1850 1922 1940 2001 2152

12

土

又

又

11

廴

2037

塀 塊 場 塔 堪 堤

467 472

573 1395

543 587 1296

1855 2133

14

墜 境 増 塾

879 1809 2032

2007 2266

1640 1642 1645 524 1851 1852

芝 芋

567 1772

花 芯 芽 芸 芳

563 565 1762 1887

16

748

華 荷

藻

1387

廾

1007

11

菜 著 曹 萎 菌 菓

660 675 705 726

升 弁 飛 弊 鼻

1051 298 849 1095 1282

1914

寸

2050

3

寸

12

葬 葉 落

566 650 1962

13

蒸 夢 蓋 蓄

578

229

7

寿

595

9

耐 封 専 将

231 479 994 1035

1854 1843 2057

10

辱 射

230 236

14 568 574

1146

蔵

2043

569

尉

1790

12

1612 1622

菊

760

16

1610 1895

11 1096

1005

9

草 茶

2053

19 737

8

茎 若 苛 苦 茂 英 苗

1474

10

561

562

1179

1643

藤 藩

564

7

2254

466

576

1218

6

15

墨 墳

荒 荘

艹

1314 1349

1111

士 壮 吉 声 売 壱

1957

469

872

士

474

13

塑 塗 墓 塩 鼓 填 塚 塞

墾 壊 壌 壁 壇

薫 薦 薬 薄 薪

709

尊

1369

14

奪 導

827 2348

大

932 945

3

大

1451 1815

18

570

繭

1100

37

4

太 夫

44 53

失

186

叱

5

1538

央

6 1893

8

奔 奇 奈

580 1008 1774

9

契

1516

10

臭

862

11

爽

52

12

奥

2125

13

奨

1036

16

器

1389

弋

式

1568

3丨

后 吸 吏 吐 同 向

124 190 204 471 1414 2148

7

呂 吹 呉 吟 含 君 局 告 否 串 呈

79 119 127 162 163 204 346 556 559 1056

口

1654

8

3

口

118

4

中

1700

5

司 兄 史 台 叫 占 号 可 民

122

呪 味 呼 周 尚

126 693 1801 1996 2149

9

125 207 302 343 530 998 1002 1535

咲 咽

244 1937

10

唇 唆 唄 害

120

哺 哲 員

1443 1631 1993

11

唱 唾 唯 商 営 啓

735 811

2165 2209

12

喝 喪 善 喜 喩 喫 喉 喚

267 924 1313 1465 1517 1689 2116

13 863 1075

14

鳴 嘆

837 1711

15 549

嘱 噴

800 1178

17

嚇

462

囗

1285

母 囚

338 1912

27 1911

749

山 3

山

488

7

岐

1155

1934

困 囲 図

1913 1917 2011

8

国 固

1983

12

圏

1915

13

園

1992

巾 3

巾

8

岳 岩 岸 岬

492 523 1553 1659

9 1916

峡 炭 幽 峠

490 491 950 1839

6

帆

1413

9

帥 帝

1084 1902

10

帯 席

1877 2194

11

帳 常

593 839

13

幕

1085

2275 2281 2285

10

徒 徐 従

2280 2283 2291

11

得

2278

12

御 循 復

2287 2289 2295

13

微

2282

徳 徴

2288 2293

崖 崎 崩 密 崇

15 515

徹

2277

19

1010 1195

懲

2294

彡

2137 2145

12

嵐

4

毛

115

7 1423

3㇒ 彳

形

1558

8

参

369

7

役

11 2276

8 1371

律 待 後

11

12 1124

9

14

峰 島

1083 2153

2290

10

1082

帽 幅

5

幣

征 1097

2013

7

144

嗅 嗣

2012

回 団 因

2097

14

1977

6 350

323 1161

四 凸 凹

径 彼 往

彩 彫

658 1997

2279 2284 2286

12

須

114

14

髪 彰 影

225 1821

底 府

2184

9

庭 161 157 160 1764 159 2217

夕

夕 外 多 名

371

2187

10

唐 座 庫

772 2178 2183

11

庸 廊 庶 麻

1453 2186 2193 2197

528 372

12

廃

2185

13

375

夂

冬 処 各 条 変 夏 憂

430

廉 慶

2181 933

宀

1028 1961 638 316 280 1869

3丶 广

庁 広

2190

7 2175 2176 2180

8

店

2071 2078 2092 2098 2100

7 2141

8 2177

応 序 床

字 宅 宇 安 守

2179

宙 宝 官 宛 宜 宗 定

2074 2084 2102

宣 室 客

2090 2159

2143

返 述 近

2072 2073 2079 2093 2099 2126 2161

11

寄 寂 宿

2082 2091 2134

12 2088

13

寛 寝

2077 2083

14

賓 寧 寡 察

2085 2087 2089 2146

15

寮 審

2080 2094

⻌ 5

迅 込

2156

2299 2337

6

迎

2309 2315 2334

8

10

宮 宴 宵 宰 案 家 容

2308

7 2076

2123 2129

巡

9

富

6

完

5

2163

2188

2249

今 令 合 会 命 倉

実

2300

750

逆 迫 迭

2301 2316

遅 遊 運 違 遍 道

2323

退 送 逃 途 追 迷

2303 2305 2310 2311 2353 2355

2338

過 速 透 逐 造 連 通 逝 逓

2346 2347

2314 2318

遭

2313

辺 遠 遣

2333 2342

遇 進 逸 逮 週

選 適 遮

2339

遺 遷 遵 還

799

15

層 履

2030 2296

子 3

子

35

6

存 2330 2331 2341

16

避

2344

1014

8

承 孤 学 享

246 627 2170 2247

10

孫

986

弓

5

尼 尻

3

11 266

弓

尾 尿

116 381

引 弔

2319 2322

届 居

1672 1679

7

8 2307

1661

4

7

2321

12

遂 達

属

2328

2357

2343

12

2345

尸

2324

1214

2306

2335

2317

展

14

3𠃍

2302

10

2354

2332

11

1693

2326

2320 2329

屋

13

15 2312

9

2340

10 2304

1848

2327

2336

9

屈

154

弟

1674

8

1148

弧

1664

弥 弦

1665 1666

1669

11

張 強

1663

12 1668

女 3 23

5

奴

196

6

妄 好 如 妃

24 36 121 330

娠 娯 娘

4

王 128 1289

11

婆 婦 婚

939 1092 1530

媛 媒 婿

251 666 1946

13

嫌 嫉 嫁

730 1691 2127

14

嫡 嬢

1216

幺 48 745 1220 1881 1897

幻 玄 幼 率 幾

946 1491 947 1600

4

303

4一

519

丰

692

9

姿 姫

26 101

表 青 毒 責 素

全

1191

7

弄

1649

8

玩

1757

9

珍 皇

1652

10

珠

1185

11

現 球 望 理

1184 1186 1651 2041

斑 琴

1189 1190

聖

1655

14

璃 瑠

1274 2240

17

環

1989

4

木

628

5 1107 1427 589 1749 976

朴 朱 朽 机

札 本 末 未

640 684 689 691

6

751

644

999 1027

杉 村 来 材

633 636 696 1016

8

枚 松 板 杯 林 東 枠 枝 枢 析 枕

635 641 643 647

2237

10

校 根 桃 桑 株 核 桜 栓 栽 桟 格 桁

630

701

645 680 688

1399 1626

1172 1193 1596 1606 1963 2269

11

梅

631 1238

巣 梨 械

1269 1521 1583

12

1861

637 642 646 656 661 665 1023 1069 1076 1147 1233

検 棒 森 棟 椎 椅 棚 棋 棄 植 極 棺

1325 1827

14

模 構 様

648 807 922

15

槽 権 横 標

706 832 1709 1799

16

築 樹 機 橋

1209 1316 1601 2259

21

欄

2226

29

鬱

1857

犬

634 649

4

犬

854

655 704

5

犯

856

7

820 1011 1196 1280 1283 1404 2010 2103

13

1899 2167

944

884

1115 1156

楽 概 業

632

651

9

架 染 栃 乗 相 某 柱 査 柵 枯 柄 柿 栄

柳

686

7

1183

木

198

552

6

13 948

8

妻 始 妬 姓 妹

1648

12 1906

7

妖 妙 妊 妨 姉

1935

12

3𠃊

女

王

25

1662

弾

1619

10

10

弱

威 姻

楼 楷

状 狂

1034 1653

8

狙

1072

9

狭 独 狩

857 858 2101

11 764 785

猟

861

猛 猫

1297 2045

瓶

2069

4丨

12

猶

止 1368

13

献 猿

1435 1991

14

獄

860

止 肯 歩 歳 歴

269 271 752 1621 653

獲 獣

859

版

1032

日

1268

4

尤

就

2242

歹

死 列 残 殉 殊 殖

69 1495 1603

日 5

367 687 1403

357 358

早 曲

545 1410

良

1578 1579

戸 2202 2210 2203 2207 2208 2205 2206 2212

1288

8

1588

瓦

339

7 1582

戸 戻 肩 所 房 扇 扉 雇

152

6

戈

戒 我 戦 戯

348

甘 申 旧 旦

昆 明 昔 者 昇 易 旺

352 379 438 671 1052 1305 1650

9

星 春 昧 重

1121

1505 1894 1954

10

書 時

210 353

替 晩 普 晶 暁 暑 量 最 晴 景

146 349 355 368 483 672 713 1128 1431 2245

13

暗 暖 暇 誉 農

352 517 1054 2046

14

暮 暦

584 654

15

暴 暫

769 1636

614 695 707

曇

1767

5

用

勝 腕

1472 2124

1436

6

肌

1026

7

肘 肖 肝

233 739 1551

8

肥 服 股 肢 肪 肺

64 195

13

腸 腫 腺 腰 腹

364 708 787 1377 2262

14

膜

1153 1882

15

膝

669

16

膳 膨

925 1315

17

1898

9

胎 胞 胆

304

臆 謄

150 1471

18

336 361

胸 脂 脇 脈 朗 胴 朕

臓

1613

20 76

420 1290 1415 1470

11

脳 脱 豚 脚

847

月 4

752

朝 期

騰

1473

水

141 264

沢 汽 沃 没 沙 求 沖 決

4

水

380

5

氾 永 汁

383 416 1138

318 876 1845

548 1277

池 江 汎 汗 汚

413 398 755 873 1703 1707

泥 泣 況 油 治 泡 泳 泊 波 河 注 沼 泌 浅 沸 法 沿

382 385 390 395 406 409 418 781 938 1004 1022 1503 1572 1605 1677 1842 1974

9 407 1202 1412 1552 1771

7

汰

408

8

6 78

387

1860

582

215

12

18

曜

377

10 351

16 557

月

1123

12

片

16

昨 冒 昭 映 是

386

活 津 洪 浄 洗 派 洋

391 396 399 403 404 421 920

洞

1416

10

海 浸 浮 流 消 浪 酒 浦 浜 浴 涙

384 397 401 436 740 1291 1359 1445 1634

滋 湿 湖 満 温 湧 測 湾 滞 減 渡

953 992 1145 1240 1295 1441 1525 1667 1878 2003 2196

1981 2211

11

渦 渇 混 渓 液 添 渋 淡 涯 渉 康

389 392

13

漠 源 溝 滅

586

411

806 1620 1670

滝 溶

1817 2162

414 415 457 514 755 771 1221

済 清 淑 深 涼

1420 1432 1576 2120

滑 港 湯

388 400 410

1515 2235

16

濁 激 濃

798 1890 2047

17

濯 濫

848 1303

18

瀬

700

4㇒ 手 4

手

漏 漆 漁 漫 漸 漢 漬 漂 滴 演

払 打

297

扱

802 1127 1637 1712 1751 1798 1909 2140

15 393 550 1174 1311

191

7

670

拉 拘 拐 抽 抱 担 拓 拝 抹 拍 披 拠 招 抵 押 拙 拡

批 抑 把 抗 扶 択 投 抜 抄 技 拒 折

168 170 171 174 176 177 217 226 747 1154 1225

179 183

振 捉 捜 挫

挙 捕 挿 挨

1055 1444 1562

362 521 596 690 780 936 1029 1501 1534 1658 1847 2191

172 180 181

434 534 1001 1569

169 278 465

掲 捻 措 掛 採 推 排 掃 据 授 接 掘 捨 描 探 控

768

1994 2110

14 1907

182

15

185 441 529 659 814 853

175

撤 撮 撃 撲 摩

222 1129 1245 1829 2198

1093 1149 1425

16

操 擁

1385 1930

1806 1849 1927

17

擬 擦

1959 2147

2044 2119 2122

12

援 揚 搭 揺 握 揮 提 換 掌

252 365 572 1064

牛

牛 先 牧 物 牲 特 犠

907 273 909 1545 911 910 1593

1694

攵

1875

7

1956 2117

改 攻

2151

481 754

1460

摘

11

184 289

搬 損 搾

1681

337

10

拳 753

347

挟 括 指 拾 持 拶 挑 拷 拭

1630

8

173

9

1230

6 448

潜 潮 潰 澄

167

5

14

2243

12

1341

790

394 402

潟 潔 潤

1199

8

放

13

摂 携

333

227 810

1889

9

故

1144

政

1948

10

致

1695

11

教 敏 赦 救 敢

219 220

欧 欲 欺 款 歌 歓

1397 1980 1276 1793 1003

463

829

874 1284

12

散 敬

625 926

13

数

殳

殴 段 殺 殻 殿 毀

1398 516 1542 1865 1030

763

1338

心

15

敵 敷

4 1908

心

1891

5

必

斤

斤 丘 斥 兵 断 新

1625 487

1633 1629 1814

爪 247

忙

1424 1867 1320

欠

欠 次

忘 志 忌 忍 快

84 284 331 1527 1706

念 怪 性 怖 忠

164 486 553 1087 1702

9

恨

192 197 305 374 1831

10

恣 悔 悩 息 恭 恋 悦 恵 悟 恐 恩

86 87 89 110 242 314 319 995 1836 1208 1936

11

惨 悠 惜 患 悼 惧 情 悪

96

慌 悲 惰 慨 愉 惑

愚 意 想 愁 慈 慎 慄 感

88

斎

1786

148

火

662

4

733

火

952 1348

370 423 440 1057 1271 1346 1429 2015

慕 態 慢 慣

灯

897 1126

憤 慰 憧 憎 憬

1177 1791

災

憩 憶 懐 憲 憾

1110 1287 2005

852

20

懸

1324

文

2000

13

754

点 為 畑

887 2019

10

烈

文 対 斉

斗

斗 斜

1044 1047

尺

尺 昼 釈

60 360 776

11

5 459

5一

12

焼 無 煮 然

示 484 609 674

5

示 礼

1773 1779

864

煩 煙

7

社

1781

453 1374 1469

8

祉 祈

1778 1787

1506

14

熊

898

232 1419

770

1497

照 58

19

531

988

4丶

1386

4𠃍

9

13

1212

1463

2204

17 871

17

爆 455

130 151

865

452

黒

懇 577

炊 炎 炉

2248

16

16

454

1824 2031

2253

燥

7

1181

15

866

1231

8 583

712

燃

6

1379 2004

勲 黙 熟

451

14

12

8

2 3

85

7

248 657

1571

6

1638

爪 妥 采 受 愛 爵

83

急 怒 怠 怨 恒

15

熱

606

9

祝 神 祖

1777 1780 1783

10

祥

1782

確

11

1872

視 祭

16 1776

磨 17

1784

18

礎

1949

13

福 禁

戊 1785 1795

玉

玉 璧 璽

成 戚

1614 1611

5丨 1182

氷

2009

5

1187

氷

425

石

尽

石

426

518

9

砂 砕 研

750

7

冷 冶

427 429

1114 1559

10

砲 破

522

10

凄 凍 准

428 702 817

937

12

硫 硝 硬

12

寒

2132

520 741

16

凝

1960

1237

目

13

碁 碑

1381

14

磁

目 且

15

91 1066

6

954

自

103

5

746 987

1660

1264

13

睦 睡 署 罪 置 督

602 736 1258 1259 1405 1575

109

罰

1490

15

罵 罷

皿

1261

17

755

血

1299

10

益

1298

盛

715 716 717 725

秋 秒 科

732 751 1046

12 1294

74 90

13

盟 監

1070 1099 1573

11 723

1301

15

盤

1461

2056 2239

718

移

14

10 2021

秩 租 称 秘

1293

2017 2026

10 1617

盜

9

12

税 程

722

17

1656

藍

13 1304

稚

821

5㇒

11

塁 番 畳

季 和 香 委 9

1513

2048

累 略

1520

11 1380

畔 畜 留

727

9

盆

2022 2025

12 1260

6

2023

畏 思 界 胃

721

8

1292

2016

2034

私 秀 利

皿

8

533

12

2020

5

1657

卑 果

97

16

153

町 男

7 2024

奮

7

1536

11

買

由 甲 田

1393

畿

1263

田

179

15

1853

98

10

眼 眺

1825

羅

9

眉 首 看 省 県 甚 盾

679

19

14

5 1279

92

眠

6

5

8

824

1775

31

盲

礁

12

禍 禅

身 2200

1788

瞭 瞳 瞬

7

2042 2052 2130

矢

矢 知 短 矯

1680

14

種 稲

724

1685

1340

1683 2260

禾

15

稽 穂 穀

720 996 1866

稼 稿

2128 2256

療

1041

16

穏 積

18 719 1752

癒 癖

1466

立

穫

835

白 778 1049 782 786

5丶 疒

疫

立 辛 竜 産 章 童 端 競

40 1804

疲 病 疾 症

1043

発 登

1690

5

1547 1548

穴

1823

耳

2016

究

耳 取 恥 聴 職

111 202

老 考 孝

1309 1439 1522

9

突 窃

2107

13

2111

11 1686

14 1042

窓 窒

2113

13

糖

56

6 756

10

料 粋 粉

1045

粒 粘 粗

西 要 票 覇

12

1375

蜂 15

触

906

虫

1417 1747

13 1322

14 624 676

箋 箇 管

1607 1985 2104

2138

1876

耒

耗 耕

15

箱 範

664 1249

682 1253

16

篤

894

舌

65

6

623

796

6㇒

舌 辞

18 129

簡

2233

1805

263

竹

201

6

2189

622

算

14

460

66

621

1203

蜜

63

619

節

13

16

62

答 筆 筋 等 筒 策

2081

1797

1510

756

2168

虹 1376

肉 育 背 脊 脅 腎 腐

竹

19

簿

1452

20 616

籍

683

10

笑

794 1422

22 617

792

9

蛮 風

793

1372

光 輝

757

蚕 蛍

761

虫

1071

1352

蛇

18

1116

759

795

773

肉

11 2075

16

光

1000

米 2121

1433

1407

55

蚊 融

12

11

6丨

老

10

14

112

1585

2108

空

2182

西

米

8

粧

糧

7

1040

瘍

1546

1310

12

痴

矛 柔 務

1421

精

矛

5一

1671

穴

1038

痩 痘 痛 痢

2112

1820

癶

11

痕

2109

6

1811

1234

1953

窯 窮

粛 12

555

540

1039

10

15

1816

5𠃍

9

2114

2008

18

白 的 皆 泉

窟

17

籠

1818

舟

11

笛 符 第

618 620 1675

舟 航 般

1454 1455 1459

舶 舷 船 艇 艦

1456

長

1457

54

1975

行

行 術 街 衝 衛 衡

2267 2271

10

褐 被 衰 初

1104 1106 1112 1487

2268 2270

袋

1566

師

293

争

争 静

256

12

裾 衆 裁 裕 裏

1150 1300 1597 1982 2039

1428

舛

舞

608

6丶

1019 1682

褒 装 裸

1103 1644 2051

袖 補 裂

1105 1446 1498

1952 1281

衣

襟

919

11 916

13

群 羨 義

918 921 1590

14

養

1333

6𠃍

羽 翁 翌 習 翼 翻

840 843 841 844 842 2054

6𠃊

衷 襲

6

糸 1704 1819

複

系

984

8 2263

羊

955

7

22 1519

8

羞

1796

7

製

10

糸

16

1101

1204

15

衣 6

915

羽

14 1018

美 差

13

㫃

施 旅 族 旋 旗

9

着

11

2273 2272

914

1987

2065 1458

羊

9

哀

6

糾

級 紀 約 紅

964

1050 1205

959 977 989 1511 1531 1888

960 962 971 974 975 1073 1504

956 957 958 963

9

757

965

1765 1964

絹 継

1388

978

7

982

7一

1090

言

1256

7

1262

言

131

1266 2157

15

緩 線 練 縄 縁 締 緯 編

967

9

訃 計 訂

526 1136 1229

973 979 981 983 1904

10

討 記 訓 託

234 332 433 611

1972 2216

縛 緻 縦 縫

1448 1696 2292

11

訳 設 訟 許 訪

133 216 325 1059 1883

2325

17

繁 繊 績 縮

966 1598 1753 2135

961 1409

繰

969

968 1647

1587

19

16

13 972

緊 総 緒 維 綿 緑 網 綱 綻

12

絶 統 絞 給 紫 結 絵 絡

織

14

2096

11

細 紺 紳 終 経 組 紹

1864

970

10

紋 純 索 紛 紙 紡 納

続

18

繕

980

12

診 詞 詠 詐 詔 訴 評

134 136 417 1120 1500 1639 1802

証

1947

13

話 詣 詩 該 詳

138 142 288 882

諮 謁 謀 諧 諭 諦

135 145

試 誠 詰 誇 誕

1570 1615 1646

783 1464 1903

17

謝 謙 講 謡

731 805 1063

18

謹

1717

14

誤 誌 説 誘 語 認 誓 読

19 137 285 320

譜 警 識

927 1586

1528 1632

20

護 譲 議

834 1217 1592

1863

15

談 諾 諸 誰 論 請 調 課

456

麦

麦 麺

812 1079 1430 1998 2049

16

1246

軒

1555

軟 斬 転

1635 1763

12 1244 1247

較 載

1599

1250 1251

1467

走 赴 起 超 越 趣

274 527 334 1502

車

酵 酷 酸

1807 699 1951

275

10

酎

1354 1362 1356

醒 醜

1165 1168 1180 1512

12

賀 貼 貴 貸 費 貯 貿

1166

1357

覆

2297

20

貞 則

1343 1523

10

財 貢

758

貨

1813 830

足

276

11

距

1226

資 賄 賃 賊 賂

12

践

1604

1158 1163 1223 1580

13

跡 跳 路

315 535 1968

1965

賛 賢

14

踊

15

1438

1160 1164

賜 賦 質 賠 賞

15

踏 踪

405 2144

1306 1624

19

蹴

2246

1627 1942

21

躍

846

2154

邑

17

購

8 1170

18 1159

1302

2238

11 1355

2171

7

2086

1171 1206

94

1173

1169

9

93

1678

7 1157

見 規 覚 覧 親 観 足

1567

1364

7丨

見

1167

13 1361

貝 1950

酉

1360

14

697

1609

1966

貝

束

束 疎 辣 頼 整

1162

1366

酪 酬

1286

591

走

酢

醸

16

轄

1365

18

15

輸

酔

貪 敗 販 貫 貧

16 1243

輩 輪

1363

13 1242

軸 軽

1358

12

10

17 590

575 673

軌

配 酌 11

9

13 356

728 1837

1241

11 237

1770 2067

車

667

917 1192

7

贈

2033

都 邸 那

1923 1925 1929

邦 郎

1922

韓

1931

1971

9

郵

8 1924

雨 雷

1932 1944

12

零 雲

7㇒ 㿝 1323

1766

13 443 444 447

14

貌

869

449

15 905 1484

雪 霜

446 663

17

露

8

18

奉 597

雰 霧

599

1549

幸

幸 執 報

50 51 194



幹 乾

1554 547

閑 開 間

雌 雑

2229

2220

2230 2231

2224

18

8㇒

903

隹

902

10

900 901 2027

8丨

2228

899

2035

隻

494

阪 防

554 784 878 2352 743

1886

隔 隠

498

1068

際 障

815

813 822 823

759

14

銃 銀 銘 銅 銭

1721 1722 1729 1744 1745

鋭 鋳

1728 1732

16 1789 1822

8

14 493

隣

495

758

499

舎

舗

1928

金

9

険 陸 陵 陳 陶 陰

2192

13 497

陛 除 陣 陥 院

1976

15 1351

7

阜 限 降

1735

12 512

附 阻

鉢 鉛 鉱

500

501 544

金

1724

針 釣

1738

12

鈍

1737 1739 1986

錠

2158

鍛

1725

18

鎌 鎖 鎮

1733 1741 1743

1734

703

1761

1736

1740

603

1061

1731

17

11

607

1730

10

1339

496

1726

2063 1720

1248

2142

鍋 錯 鋼 錬 録 錦 錮

8

10

12

雅 雄 焦

1713

隅 陽 隆 階 隊 随

阜

2223

闇

1273

難

2221

閲

1117

離

2232

関 聞 閥 閣

816

6 2225

闘

虎

虎 虐 虚 虜 虞 慮 膚

2227

17 1509

600

2222

15 1968

8一

問 閉

1941

11

19

14

需

角

2219

陪

14

12

震 霊 電

豸

門

825

18

11 445

2250

奉 泰 奏

門 8

2018

1921

角 解

2040

11 1919

既

2036

442

10

郊 邪 郷 部 郭

里 野

雨

集

里

鏡

13

鉄 鈴

19

1723

1810

1727

20

鐘

1826

22

鑑

1742

8𠃍

顕 顎 題 額

991 1769 1955

19 1794

9

革 靴

21

顧

音

骸 髄

1198

881 2350

品

品 臨

106 108 613 1508

1383

鬼 魂 魅 魔

301 1760 694 2199

食

食

1326

10

飢

16

1335

12

飲 飯

顔

1332

13 508

飼

14

駄 駅 駆

890

1330

験 騒 騎

1595

鳥

鳥 鶏

836 838

魚 鮮 鯨

801 923 2244

鹿 929 930 931

歯

歯 齢

765 766

891 1400

15

駒 駐

59

12 889

13 豊

892 1024

18 1327

18

10

馬

異 戴

鹿 麓 麗

10

馬

15

1308

1933

鬼

9

753

1995

10 一

14

107

147

9㇒

1756

158

音 韻 響

異

魚

1382

13

頻 頭

2105

骨

432

頬

館

941

12

領

1589

9丶

1228

傾 預 頓 頒 頑

餓

9丨

11

順 項

1328

16 2213

928

11 1329

940

頁

頂

14

789 867

驚

1334

15

願 類

9一 革

1331

2160

隶

隷

飽 飾

893 895 1012

22

760

豊 艶

1317 1318

Resources Etymological data and images Xiaoxue Sinica - 漢字古今字資料庫. Accessed September, 2017. http://xiaoxue.iis.sinica.edu.tw/ Vividict.com - 象形字典 (n.d.). Accessed September, 2017. http://www.vividict.com/ Multi-fuction Chinse Character Database - 漢語多功能字庫. Accessed September 2017. http://humanum.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/Lexis/lexi-mf/ Shirakawa, S. (2003). Jōyō jikai (常用字解). Tōkyō. Liao, W. (2014). Han zi shu (漢字樹). Beijing.

Japanese dictionaries Kanji Jitennon Online - 漢字辞典オンライン. Accessed September, 2017. http://kanji.jitenon.jp/ Jisho.org: Japanese Dictionary. Accessed September, 2017. http://jisho.org/ Glyph supplements GlyphWiki - メインページ. Accessed September, 2017. http://www.glyphwiki.org/


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