鎌 means 'sickle'

Kyoto, Tokyo, Kamakura, Nara, and Osaka have, at various times, been the centers of political power in Japan, three serving as national capitals. These cities teem with history, some of it violent, thanks to battles for ascendancy centuries ago. Those vying for power even turned several temples into political strongholds. Nowadays, the cities pride themselves on culinary specialties, striking architecture, regional products, and prominent temples (one with a gigantic Buddha statue). Proverbs and stereotypes reveal the distinctive personality traits associated with each location.

All four kanji symbolize curving objects that have inspired fascinating creative leaps. Umbrella designs made people connect 傘 with domes, mushroom caps, snake eyes, and swords. Land and sea meet in a curvy line, so 浜 helps represent "wavy design" in everything from raked gravel to furniture to dog dishes. As "sickle," 鎌 drives words for crescent-shaped things (e.g., hamachi kama, curving ridges, a dolphin fin, and a dental tool). And the pear influences terms for pear-shaped islands and certain rounded body parts.