The Joy o' Kanji Essays

駆

Most terms with 駆 will leave you breathless. It lies at the heart of words for "footrace," "rushing in at the last minute," and "pioneer" (one who has raced ahead of the pack). You'll learn to say, "He ran up the stairs panting," "Her desire to be a doctor spurred her on," and "He was driven by revenge." Find out why signs about Cinderella hang in Japanese subway stations!

偶

See how the disparate definitions of 偶 converge on one theme. Learn to discuss chance occurrences (e.g., "I happened to be in London then"). Find out about dogus, the otherworldly figurines that the ancient Japanese created, and see why people compare these statues to the Inuits. Also learn to talk about your idols, whether you adore Haruki Murakami or a North Korean dictator.

隅

Find out how the Japanese use 隅 not only literally but also figuratively, as when they talk about finding a refuge, feeling isolated, knowing something A to Z, nitpicking, and "lighting up the corner." Learn about a corner of Japan associated with an important strait, poetry, and scientific discoveries. Also find out about a fireworks festival in Tokyo. Enjoy several gorgeous book covers featuring 隅!

屈

In life, you must go with the flow sometimes but should "stand your ground" on other occasions. (Know when to fold them, know when to hold them, and all that.) Learn words about bending over - both literally (e.g., when putting on shoes) and metaphorically (e.g., when kowtowing to others).

掘

People use this kanji for digging up crops, excavating ruins, and mining; 掘 is quite grounded. But if you dig a little, you'll soon spot its figurative side. This essay will teach you to say "That old book is a real find" and "Someone rear-ended me." Through this kanji you'll find out about hidden treasure, an animal shaped like a tusk, and heating systems submerged in pits in the floor.

恵

In this essay, you'll learn to say "blessed with" (as in "She's blessed with intelligence and beauty") and to refer to people's wit, wisdom, and intelligence (all with the same word!). You'll also find out how to say that something (perhaps a dictionary or even the sun) is beneficial. But don't be under the impression that this kanji is only for positive thinking. It also enables you to talk about slick politicians, to complain that you're racking your brain, and to poke fun at your own natural laziness.

掲

If you want to display things for all the world to see, this is the kanji for you! Find out how to talk about everything from Help Wanted signs and bulletin board notices to flags hoisted on flagpoles. Learn to say, "It came out in yesterday's paper." Come to understand the puzzling term "BBS.' Also learn to refer to the subject line of an email and to "aforementioned" comments.

渓

While learning terms for types of valleys and mountain streams, enjoy spectacular pictures of Japanese gorges. Learn which valley features snow year-round and which ravine is filled with apricot trees. Discover a gorge named for a lion’s nose, a “white horse” mountain, and a valley abounding with monkeys. And see how “ravenous” relates to “ravine” in both languages.

蛍

Find out about the firefly and its role in Japanese culture. You'll learn about parks dedicated to firefly viewing, "firefly fronts," haiku in which fireflies symbolize ephemerality, a famous song involving firefly light, connections to "The Tale of Genji," a famous anime involving fireflies, a legendary sword, "firefly tribes," short-lived flowers, and much more about this beloved insect.

憩

Learn to unwind in Japanese! Find out how to say, “He needs time to relax now,” “Parks are places for relaxation,” and “Let's take a coffee break.” Examine titles that translate as “The Places I Love to Relax” and “A 10-Minute Break for Your Brain.” Also discover a resort area on Honshu that a novel and film made famous, inspiring a “tribe” of sun worshippers to emulate the characters.