剣
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.
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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