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sword; double-edged sword
Kanji 1214

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

This packed-to-the-gills essay teaches everything about the Japanese sword, from its connections to Buddhism and samurai to its metaphorical role. You'll learn how people use 剣 and 刀 quite differently. Fantastic photos provide glimpses of sword-bearing martial arts, supplementing the discussion of kendo. In one quiz, you'll even consider which animals come equipped with swords!

Revision history

Jan. 13, 2023: p. 10 sidebar: I reversed the yomi of 剣客 so that the order is now “けんかく or けんきゃく,” and I adjusted my comments about the sequence of these readings.

July 2, 2021: 

  • p. 2, Etymology Box: Replaced the Henshall etymology with the new one.
  • p. 2, main text: Presented the two Joyo yomi of 剣 more clearly.
  • p. 13: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Aug. 3, 2012: Fixed a link.

April 10, 2012: Changed the definition of 呑 from "to drink" to "to swallow" in Quick Quiz 1.

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Kanji PDF
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
ケン
JOYO KUN-YOMI
つるぎ
STROKES10
RADICAL刂 (18: sword)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1096/1493
HENSHALL1214/1282
SPAHN2f8.5