

This kanji has two parts. The top part means ‘leaves’, and the bottom part shows a hand plucking something from a tree. That is why this kanji means ‘vegetable,’ which means plants picked by hand to be eaten.”


The upper part of this figure represents a ‘mountain,’ while the markings below depict a cave from which water rises, forming a river. Together, this shape symbolizes a fertile valley—a flat expanse of land embraced by mountains and blessed with plenty of water.