CHARACTER HOME PAGE

to abduct; pull; crush; ラ sound
Kanji 2128

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

Find out all about the bizarre "abduction issue" in Japan, a mystery that has persisted for decades. Delve into questions about the origins of ramen and various ways of representing that word. Discover a manga character inspired by noodles! Learn to use 拉 to indicate that you've been crushed by misfortune or weighed down by worries. And see how such random meanings all connect to 拉.

Revision history:

Dec. 14, 2019: 

  • p. 2: Etymology Box: Added a Henshall etymology. 
  • p. 8: Fixed broken links and slightly reworded the passages about the origin of ramen and the invention of instant ramen.
  • p. 12: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

June 10, 2016: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 2128 on 拉, titled "Swirling Around an Empty Core"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
JOYO KUN-YOMI
None
STROKES8
RADICAL扌 (64: hand)
JLPTN1
HALPERN-/279
HENSHALL-/2063
SPAHN3c5.2