CHARACTER HOME PAGE

bear
Kanji 1995

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

See why the Japanese fear bears and how to prevent attacks. Find out why various bear names contain 月 (moon), 赤 (red), 白 (white), 灰色 (gray), 袋 (pouch), and 猫 (cat), while combining 熊 with 洗 (washing) or 穴 (hole) produces names of animals that aren’t even bears. Learn about Ainu rituals with bears, as well as the sacred Kumano region and an ancient people who may be mythical.

Revision history:

Feb. 21, 2022: 

  • p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears links.
  • p. 20: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Mar. 23, 2018: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1995 on 熊, titled "Your Average Bear"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
None
JOYO KUN-YOMI
くま
STROKES14
RADICAL灬 (86: fire)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1823/2479
HENSHALL-/1252
SPAHN4d10.6