股

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

Kanji 2004

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:

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.