The Joy o' Kanji Essays

埋

Burial isn’t just for corpses! This kanji pertains to deep snow, buried treasure, and ore deposits. You can also use 埋 to say, “He is immersed in family life,” “Spectators packed the stadium,” “I had to fill the gap,” “make up for lost time,” “bury the hatchet,” “He lived in obscurity,” and “My schedule is full.” Learn about burning coffins, burying people alive, and having two graves per person.

又

Though 又 looks simple and has just one Joyo yomi, it's not so straightforward, as it can mean opposite things: "and" and "or." Mostly, it means "again," which also seems simple, but emotionally it's not. When things happen repeatedly, we have strong feelings, as we see in songs such as "When Will I See You Again?" or "I'll Never Love This Way Again." Because people often sing about repeating patterns in life, and because songs are inherently cyclical, I've found musical pairings for each nuance of 'again," much as a sommelier finds wine to accompany any given dish. You'll be tapping your toes and singing along as you read! You'll also learn about 又 as a radical.

抹

Find out everything you've wanted to know about matcha (powdered green tea) but were afraid to ask! See who first produced it and when, its role in the tea ceremony, and how matcha differs from a similar tea given for free at restaurants. Discover what people blend matcha with, from salt to beer! Also learn how 抹 relates to incense, whales, erasure, brushstrokes, and Denmark!

慢

Many 慢 terms involve pride. These words run the gamut from healthy self-regard (in a few cases) to pompous self-importance (much more of the time). However, 慢 also plays a role in 我慢 (がまん: patience), an incredibly positive quality that the Japanese revere. The essay explains how this is possible and examines various views on what 我慢 truly means in Japanese culture.

漫

There's water in 漫! See why! Also learn why the "man-" of "manga" means "random" and what "manga" used to mean, as well as the history of manga. Discover terms for "yelling at someone for no good reason," "browsing," and other random acts. Also learn to talk about unrestrained speech, out-of-hand government spending, a pervasive smell, and a riot of cherry blossoms.

魅

Learn to say that you're attracted to a pile of money, a dress, a woman, opera, or even hornets! Find out how to say things like "Her smile attracts a lot of men," "I was attracted to her at first sight," "The audience was fascinated by his speech," and "The charm of Kyoto lies in the beauty of its old temples." This one should come in handy, too: "I think she's very attractive."

岬

Learn about the 16 extremities of the four main islands, and see why Japan has a whopping 5,503 lighthouses. Find out how a powerful novel and a shipwreck changed Japan and how another shipwreck bonded Japan and Turkey. Learn the various kanji for cape names, and see why the 山 radical in 岬 can be a misfit. Discover the locations of coral reefs in Japan and capes in your body!

妙

This kanji enables you to talk about everything from subtle nuances and delicate situations to strange dreams, a mysterious light, fitting words, an ingenious idea, exquisite building techniques, a clever fraud, and a skillful clown. By studying this versatile kanji, you’ll even learn to say, “At this time, investing in real estate looks quite profitable” and “Strange to say, I didn’t feel any pain.”

眠

Find out about famous sleepers in literature. See what it means when "even plants are sleeping." Learn terms for sound and disturbed sleep, insomnia, drowsiness, and dozing. On the figurative side, find out how 眠 connects to unused bank accounts, hypnosis, silkworms, and death. Also learn to say, "I’m a light sleeper," "I wish I had enough time to sleep," and "Sleep is better than medicine."

矛

This essay will teach you how to talk about inconsistencies, contradictions, and conflicts. You'll also find out why there's a spear through the heart of these problems. The 矛 shape serves as the "spear" radical, appearing in such unlikely places as characters for "gentleness" and "fog," and the essay explains why. Moreover, it provides a useful mnemonic to help you distinguish 矛 from the look-alike 予 (403: in advance).