Japan Corner

The Japanese Kanji for “Now” is 今. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 今 is “ima” (いま), and the on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciations of 今 are “kon” (コン) or “kin” (キン). Apart from the literal meaning of “Now”, the Kanji 今 is also used in the following contexts: The Kanji 今 quite commonly appears in Japanese names and

The Japanese Kanji for “East” is 東. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 東 is “higashi” (ひがし), and the on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 東 “tō” (トウ). 東 is used extensively in Japanese for indicating direction (east), and it’s a common component in place names, including 東京 (Tokyo), which means “Eastern Capital.” 東 quite commonly appears in Japanese

The Japanese kanji 生 means Kanji for “Live (life),” “Be Born,” “Raw.” The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 生 is u (う), as in the words umu (うむ) and umareru (うまれる); o (お) as in ou (おう); ha (は), as in hayasu (はやす) and ha-eru (は-える); i (い) as in ikeru (いける), ikiru (いきる) and ikasu (いかす); nama

The kanji 後 means “after,” “behind,” or “later.” The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 後 is ato (あと), meaning “after,” “ushi-ro” (うし-ろ), meaning “behind,” “nochi” (のち), meaning “later,” and “oku-reru” (おく-れる), meaning “be late.” The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 後 is ko (コウ) or go (ゴ). The meaning of the Kanji 後 extends from relating to time

The kanji 間 means “Between (in-between),” “Interval,” or “duration.” The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 間 is “ma” (ま) or “aida” (あいだ). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 間 is “ken” (ケン) or “kan” (カン). The meaning of the Kanji 間 extends from relating to time intervals to space or gap between physical objects or places. 間 quite

The Japanese kanji for “Close” (“shut”) or “to close” is 閉. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 閉 is “to” (と), as in words “to-jiru” (と-じる) “to-zasu” (と-ざす) “shi-meru” (し-める). The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 閉 is “hei” (ヘイ). 閉 is used in 58 Japanese names, and in names, it is pronounced as “he” (ヘ). The Kanji

The Japanese kanji for “Open” is 開. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 開 is “hira” (ひら), as in words “hira-keru” (ひら-ける) and “hira-ku” (ひら-く) or “a-keru” (あ-ける), and the on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciation of 開 is “kai” (カイ). The Kanji 開 is widely used in Japanese names and is a part of 833 names. However, in names,

The Japanese kanji for “Gate” is 門. Please note that 門 typically represents larger gates or doorways, often implying a formal entrance that is part of larger structures or complexes. 門 is used to denote gateways, archways, or large doors that lead into compounds, schools, temples, or any significant buildings or enclosed spaces. The imagery of 門 conveys a sense

The Japanese kanji for “Door” is 戸. Please note that The Kanji 戸 (と / to) primarily refers to doors, with a focus on single swinging or sliding doors typical of traditional Japanese architecture, but its use is not exclusively limited to single doors. 戸 symbolizes a door that is part of a household or building, emphasizing the entrance to

The Japanese kanji meaning “Divide,” “Minute,” or “to understand” is 分. The kun’yomi (Japanese reading) pronunciation of the Kanji 分 is “wa” (わ), as in words “wakeru” (わける), meaning “to divide” or “to distinguish“; wakareru (わかれる), meaning “to be divided“; wakaru (わかる), meaning “to understand“; wakatsu (わかつ), meaning “to share” or “distribute.” The on’yomi (Chinese reading) pronunciations of 分 are