カテゴリー: R

This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the ‘word’ radical, which originally represented a sacred oath sworn before the gods—one so absolute that breaking it brought punishment by the sword. On the right is the element for ‘righteousness,’ itself composed of a sheep and a curved saw used to carve sacrificial mutton for divine offerings. Combined, this kanji came to mean ‘to reason together’ or ‘to discuss in accordance with moral principles.’

Words & Phrases

• 議会（gikai）:The Diet
• 議題（gidai）:agenda

This kanji consists of two parts. At the top is the ‘sheep’ radical. Below it is a symbol representing a large curved saw or blade. Combined, this kanji is said to depict carefully carving mutton with a large blade as a sacrificial offering to the gods. By extension, this solemn and orderly sacred ritual came to symbolize doing what is moral and right, giving the kanji the meaning of ‘righteousness.’

Words & Phrases

• 義理（giri）:A social obligation you feel you must fulfill out of courtesy or to repay a debt of gratitude, even if you are reluctant to do it.
• 義務（gimu）:Something you are naturally expected to do as a duty.
• 義を見てせざるは勇無きなり（giwomitesezaruwa yuunakinari）:To see what is right and not do it is a lack of courage.

This kanji depicts an axe cutting something into pieces. Because of this, the character came to mean ‘to refuse,’ ‘to decline,’ or ‘to stop using’ something.

Some kanji are made by repeating the same character three times to emphasize its meaning. This kanji combines three ‘stone’ radicals to represent a massive pile or rumble of many stones rolling together.

Some kanji are made by repeating the same character three times to emphasize its meaning. This kanji combines three ‘car’ radicals to represent a loud roaring sound, like the rumble of many carriages driving together.

This character combines the “roof” radical with an altar for gods and ancestors below. Symbolizing a private place of prayer, it evolved to mean “religion” or “spiritual teachings.”

This kanji simply depicts a tree with a mark attached to the base of its root. Therefore, it originally means the bottom or base of something. By extension, it came to mean “book,” as books are considered the root of knowledge and intelligence.

This kanji represents grains of rice.
In Japan, rice is planted in spring and harvested in autumn.
When it is ready for harvest in autumn, the rice turns a beautiful golden color.

This kanji has two parts: The left side depicts a rice plant bending under the weight of its rice ears, and the right side shows a hand harvesting it. Therefore, this kanji means “rice plant.”