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elderly man
Kanji 1037

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

Learn to say “old man” in insulting and respectful ways, as well as “the great Basho.” See why it’s not weird to name a baby 翁. Find out how a monk defeated a rock, how the rock still causes trouble, and how a hammer was named after the monk! Read about a Japanese man named after the Great Wall of China. And see why Westerners and the Japanese have opposite views of the albatross.

Revision history:

June 1, 2021: 

  • p. 2: Updated the Henshall etymology.
  • p. 13: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

July 27, 2018: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1037 on 翁 (elderly man), titled "Whiskered Old Men for the Win"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
オウ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
None
STROKES10
RADICAL羽 (124: feather)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1335/1809
HENSHALL1037/1066
SPAHN2o8.6