The Joy o' Kanji Essays

瘍

This kanji surfaces in terms for “ulcer,” “tumor,” and pertinent spinoffs, but don’t be scared! The essay explores fascinating etymologies of medical words, making them feel fun and manageable. Learn about a “tumor of good nature” (which sounds downright amiable!), a “sperm nest,” and 出来物 (which does not mean “things one can do”). Also see how 12 fingers relate to the duodenum!

沃

Learn to talk about fertile land, as well as a “fertile field” of thought. Learn to say, “Rich soil yields abundant crops” and “Where there used to be a fertile plain, there is nothing but a wasteland now.” Also find out about iodine—the terms for it, the human need for it, and the special Japanese relationship to this trace mineral. Finally, discover a psychoactive plant once used in magic brews!

拉

Find out all about the bizarre "abduction issue" in Japan, a mystery that has persisted for decades. Delve into questions about the origins of ramen and various ways of representing that word. Discover a manga character inspired by noodles! Learn to use 拉 to indicate that you've been crushed by misfortune or weighed down by worries. And see how such random meanings all connect to 拉.

辣

Find out how 辣 lights food on fire, especially in Chinese dishes. Learn about a spice that both wakes up the tongue and puts it to sleep. See how 辣 as “severe” appears in sentences that mean “His sharp words seemed to hurt her” and “He is a villain,” as well as the manga title “The Bitter Gourmet.” See why a book title about a Japanese army officer alludes to Dostoevsky.

藍

Indigo became important in Japan partly because commoners couldn’t wear silk and instead chose cotton. Farmers’ indigo work togs shaped the creative inclinations of a contemporary dyer who loves to wrestle with indigo’s “persona.” A term for “temple” is inside a word for “pelican,” just as “cabbage” lies inside “kale” and “brussels sprouts.” The essay unravels all of these mysteries.

慄

Learn to talk about what makes people shake like a leaf, including horror movies. Find out how to say, “They were horrified by the news,” “She was trembling with fear,” “The news of the bizarre accident made TV viewers shudder,” “In a shaking voice she cried, ‘Help!’” and “The armed hijackers terrified the passengers.” Also read about the time Japanese forces fought in India.

侶

Adults who are determined to be together for life, soulmates who reconnect with each reincarnation, pets who are steadfast companions—侶 brings us all that love, as well as the loss of love when death separates life partners. Find out how priests fit into the picture, see how one priest wants temples to be entertainment centers, and learn to say “sexual abstinence” and “secular burial.”

瞭

If you appreciate things that are easy to understand, 瞭 is for you. It enables you to talk about clear explanations and user-friendly products, as well as things that are obvious, including the results of tests, someone’s romantic feelings, and secret alliances between countries. Learn to say, “Your opinion is off the mark. That’s clear to anyone” and “Will you please explain it more clearly?”

瑠

Find out why {search[瑠璃](るり)} can represent glass, as well as the mineral lapis lazuli and the bright blue color of that stone. Using {search瑠璃} people convey the blueness of everything from our planet as seen from space to the hue of flowers, birds, butterflies, and one kind of cockroach! Lapis is even the color of courage! Also learn about the performing art known as joruri, and see how it relates to puppet theater.

呂

With this deep dive into the world of Japanese baths, learn about the Indian roots of Japanese bathing practices, the custom of bathing at someone else's house, the way to heat cold bathwater, the purpose of bathtub covers, and figurative descriptions of muggy weather. Also find out about various bathing environments, whether indoor, outdoor, water-free, sandy, or hazardous!