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kudzu; arrowroot
Kanji 1974

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 about a vine that has enhanced Japanese life. People use its root to thicken dishes, particularly desserts that turn out to be healthy, and to help cure fevers, hangovers, colds, and more. The fiber of the 葛 vine goes into fusuma screens and scrolls, and a word including 葛 plays a role in a famous folktale. There’s much more to tell you, but doing so would give away three quiz answers! 

Revision history:

Aug. 30, 2021:

  • p. 6: Clarified the longest paragraph a bit.
  • p. 9 sidebar: Added that the wicker hamper was made from Chinese moonseed vines.

Aug. 6, 2021: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1974 on 葛, titled "Unraveling a Tangled Vine"
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JOYO ON-YOMI
カツ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
くず
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