The Joy o' Kanji Essays
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呉
give
JOK: 1237
This kanji has no popular meaning! Nevertheless, 呉 pops up in a word about rivalry, the name of a famous theater, the name of a significant city, terms for stores selling kimono fabric, and more. Learn about 呉音, a word on page 1 of every essay. See how the ancient Chinese Kingdom of Wu still influences modern Japan. And find out just how 呉 became connected with くれる (to give).
娯
pleasure
JOK: 1238
Amusement is timeless, but 娯 has strong ties to past eras. Discover why, read about entertainment districts as different as day and night, and see which term for “hobby” has a negative nuance. Learn to say, “What's your favorite pastime?” “There are no forms of amusement in the village,” “This kind of amusement has no interest for me,” and “Playing Go is my only form of recreation.”
悟
enlightenment
JOK: 1239
Do you know how to talk about preparing for the worst outcome or selling items at a loss? Can you translate the following: "At last he realized that he was mistaken," "I noticed some kind of glint in her eyes," "They were ready to run the risk of being shot by the enemy," and "How can one become enlightened?" Find out about all this and much more, including baseball players' wisdom.
孔
cavity
JOK: 1241
It makes sense to find our kanji as “hole” in terms such as “nostril,” “porous,” “perforation,” “vent,” and “buttonhole.” What a surprise, though, to discover its connections to Confucius on the one hand and peacocks on the other. By studying peacocks we end up contemplating ancient Indian beliefs, ferns, malachite, and the dining habits of medieval elites from Europe to Japan!
江
stream
JOK: 1244
This essay immerses you in Edo (the old name for Tokyo) and its cultural, linguistic, and botanical legacies. Read about Edo-style sushi (which you likely love!), see what characterizes a true Edoite/Tokyoite, and find out what "Little Edo" and "Big Edo" mean now. Learn to read 江 in several names, some famous. Also meet the alligators and dolphins associated with the Yangtze River!
坑
pit
JOK: 1245
Japan is rich in minerals (learn why), and its mines have influenced the nation's history, economy, and activism, from the environmental movement to strikes and unions. Learn what the Yamashita Treasure is, and see how people use "canary in a coal mine." Find out why Ashio Copper Mine is on a par with Minamata and has mattered to Soseki, Haruki Murakami, and Jay Rubin.
更
again
JOK: 1248
See how the four Joyo yomi of 更 will take you in very different directions. With ふ•ける and ふ•かす, you can stay up late. With さら, you can talk about what's new. By adding hiragana to さら, you produce adverbs, such as one for 'furthermore.' Finally, コウ means 'change' in terms for 'renewal,' 'revision,' and 'rehabilitation.' As a bonus, learn what it means to change clothes in Japan!
肯
agreement
JOK: 1250
You’ll be nodding your head in agreement as you discover terms for “consent” and “affirmation,” as well as “self-esteem.” Learn to say, “The author received a bunch of positive reviews,” “The answer was yes,” “There are many positive opinions about the original plan,” “I cannot agree with that opinion,” and “He nodded as he listened attentively to my speech.”
恒
constancy
JOK: 1251
Find out what's "fixed" about a star - and why a planet conversely seems confused! Then come back to Earth to focus on steady livelihoods, annual events, constant wars, and permanent peace. See how "constant river sand" traveled from India through China into Buddhism and even further from there. And learn how a poisoning scandal from 1955 could help Fukushima victims.
洪
flood
JOK: 1252
Learn how floods pose a serious threat in ultra-rainy Japan, which now has the world's largest underground flood-prevention facility. Find out how to talk about real and figurative floods. Hear Okinawan "flood myths," and see what the Japanese say about Noah's flood. Examine 洪 in the names of a huge bell, famous ship, well-known doctor, star athlete, and two countries.
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