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crotch; thigh; fork (in tree, road, river, etc.)
Kanji 2004

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

What does it mean to be born from the crotch of a tree? Why do some monkeys in Japan wear shorts? Why do some Japanese men go to sacred places in their underwear? Why would yakuza walk like ducks? Why does our kanji (as “thigh”) factor into terms about wavering loyalty? The essay provides all these answers, also discussing mittens with just three compartments for fingers.

Revision history:

Feb. 9, 2024: p. 2: Added that when it comes to the term 腿 or 股 (もも: (1) thigh; (2) femoral), the Japanese prefer the 腿 rendering, and I explained why. Also reversed the sequence of renderings (putting 腿 first) for that reason.

June 1, 2021: 

  • p. 2: Added the Henshall etymology.
  • p. 2: Added a paragraph to the second sidebar, linking to Kanshudo's new guide to pitch accents.
  • p. 14: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Jan. 12, 2018: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 2004 on 股, titled "Branching Out"
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JOYO ON-YOMI
JOYO KUN-YOMI
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STROKES8
RADICAL月 (130: flesh)
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