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musical score; written record
Kanji 1759

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 kanji primarily means “musical score,” and because every element in a musical staff is already a symbol, 譜 is a symbol of other symbols! Learn to talk about reading music and to say, “He played piano by ear.” Catch a startling glimpse of traditional musical notation in Japan. Also see why 譜 appears in terms for “genealogy” and “record of a board game,” as well as in biography titles.

Revision History:

Apr. 26, 2021: p. 10: Changed the yomi of 雅楽 to ががく and added one sentence about the old musical notation.

Apr. 2, 2021: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1759 on 譜 (musical score), titled "Symbols of Sound"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
JOYO KUN-YOMI
None
STROKES19
RADICAL言 (149: word)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1085/1476
HENSHALL1759/1918
SPAHN7a12.2