手 – Kanji Japan

2026年11月4日2026年11月4日

craft(藝)

This kanji is composed of three elements: the ‘plant’ radical at the top left, the ‘soil’ symbol below it, and a kneeling figure on the right using both hands to plant a seedling into the earth. Originally, the character meant ‘to plant’ or ‘to cultivate.’ By metaphorical extension, cultivating plants came to represent nurturing one’s own talents, evolving into the meanings of ‘skill,’ ‘craft,’ and ‘the arts.’

Words & Phrases

藝術（geijutsu):the arts
芸者（geisha):A woman trained in traditional Japanese arts, dance, and music

2026年10月16日2026年10月16日

soldier(兵)

This kanji depicts an axe held in someone’s hands as a weapon. Therefore, this character came to mean ‘soldier’—a person who carries weapons like an axe into battle.

2026年10月9日2026年10月20日

pinch(挟)

This kanji is made of two parts. On the left is the ‘hand’ radical. On the right is an element depicting a person held or squeezed from both sides. Combined, this kanji means to hold, pinch, or sandwich something strictly between two things.

2026年9月29日2026年9月29日

observe(看)

This kanji depicts someone shading their eyes with a hand to watch something carefully. Therefore, this kanji means “to observe” or “to watch.” By extension, it came to be used for nursing or taking care of someone.

2026年9月28日2026年9月28日

clever(賢)

This kanji has three parts. At the top left, there is a loyal servant watching over his king. At the top right is a hand. At the bottom is a shell, which was the earliest form of money. Combined, this kanji means a wise person who can manage money cleverly and thoughtfully for their ruler and people.

2026年9月23日2026年9月23日

grasp(捉)

This kanji has two parts. The left side is the radical for “hand,” and the right side is the radical for “foot” (a walking person). Combined, it means to completely understand a message using all of your hands and feet.

2026年8月16日2026年8月20日

throw(投)

This kanji consists of two parts: the ‘hand’ radical on the left, and a hand holding a weapon or tool to strike or hurl at a target on the right. Therefore, this kanji came to mean ‘to throw’—referring to the action of hurling or tossing something by hand.

2026年8月15日2026年8月20日

skill(技)

This kanji consists of two parts: the ‘hand’ radical on the left, and a hand holding a branch on the right. Therefore, this kanji came to mean ‘skill’ or ‘technique’—referring to the human ability to craft things meticulously by hand.