The short story of Kanji pictures
This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “harvest” (grain) radical, and on the right is a component representing shedding or taking away. Together, this kanji means “tax”—originating from the idea of crops being ruthlessly taken away as tax from the farmers who grew them.
On the left side of this kanji is the “word” radical, which originally depicted a mouth and a sword, symbolizing a sacred promise made to God. On the right side is a component depicting a person removing or shedding their clothes. Together, this kanji means “to explain”—originating from the idea of untangling, melting away, or solving a problem through words.
This kanji consists of two parts. On the left is the “body” radical, and on the right is a component depicting a person sloughing off or removing their clothing. Together, this kanji means “to shed,” “to molt,” or “to exit” from within.