KML – Chapter Eight
川 – Stream
Three flowing lines move down the page like gentle water currents in a stream. 川 looks like a river seen from above—simple and steady. Each stroke represents a narrow flow of water, joining into something greater.
｜ + ｜ + ｜
On: セン ・ Kun: かわ
州 – State
A stream splits into many islands—this marks the divisions of land, like the states of a country.
Radicals: 川 (stream) + 丶丶 (dots for islands)
On: シュウ ・ Kun: す
順 – Obey
Radicals: 川 (stream) + 首 (head)
On: ジュン ・ Kun: —
水 – Water
A drop falls, sending out ripples. Water begins from a single source, but spreads everywhere.
Radicals: 水 (water)
On: スイ ・ Kun: みず
氷 – Icicle
Water stands still and grows sharp edges—when it can no longer flow, it freezes into ice.
Radicals: 冫 (ice radical) + 水 (water)
On: ヒョウ ・ Kun: こおり、ひ
永 – Eternity
A drop descends gently and endlessly. True eternity is not fast—it flows forever like a calm stream.
Radicals: 永 (eternity itself — contains dot + water flow)
On: エイ ・ Kun: なが（い）
泉 – Spring
White water bursts from the ground—a source of life hidden beneath the earth.
Radicals: 白 (white) + 水 (water)
On: セン ・ Kun: いずみ
腺 – Gland
Inside the body, hidden springs (泉) release secret drops—tiny internal fountains that sustain health.
Radicals: 月 (flesh/body) + 泉 (spring)
On: セン ・ Kun: —
原 – Meadow
On the cliff’s edge, the land opens wide—nothing blocks the wind across this open meadow.
Radicals: 厂 (cliff) + 白 (white) + 小 (small)
On: ゲン ・ Kun: はら
願 – Petition
A head bows on the open field (原), with deep longing in its heart. A wish offered with humility.
Radicals: 原 (meadow) + 頁 (head)
On: ガン ・ Kun: ねが（う）
泳 – Swim
Water and motion—together, they mean swim. The legs stretch out like a wave trying to glide forward.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 永 (eternity)
On: エイ ・ Kun: およ（ぐ）
沼 – Marsh
Water pools on the surface of the land, refusing to flow—this is no lake, but a marsh full of stillness.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 召 (summon)
On: ショウ ・ Kun: ぬま
沖 – Open Sea
Beyond the shore, the water stretches into emptiness. A place far from land—the open sea.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 中 (middle)
On: チュウ ・ Kun: おき
汎 – Pan-
Water spreads beyond its limits, spilling into all directions. “Pan-” means it touches everything.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 凡 (ordinary / all)
On: ハン ・ Kun: —
江 – Creek
A narrow stream (water) enters the land quietly—it is not a river, but a gentle creek or inlet.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 工 (work / craft)
On: コウ ・ Kun: え
汰 – Cleanse
Water chooses what to carry away and what to leave. Cleansing comes from letting go of what no longer belongs.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 太 (big, fat)
On: タ ・ Kun: —
汁 – Soup
Liquid drawn from food—warm, nourishing, simple. This is not just water, but flavored water: soup.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 十 (ten)
On: ジュウ ・ Kun: しる
沙 – Grains of Sand
Water wears down rock until only soft grains remain. These are the whispers of stone—grains of sand.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 少 (few)
On: サ ・ Kun: すな
潮 – Tide
The morning moon pulls the water back and forth. The rhythm of the sea is the breath of the tide.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 朝 (morning)
On: チョウ ・ Kun: しお
源 – Source
In the cliff and the water lies the hidden beginning. Every river has a starting point—its source.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 原 (meadow/cliff)
On: ゲン ・ Kun: みなもと
活 – Lively
Water gives life. Wherever it moves, things grow, thrive, and come alive. This is true liveliness.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 舌 (tongue / speaking)
On: カツ ・ Kun: い（きる）、い（かす）、い（ける）
消 – Extinguish
Water meets flame and silence follows. Fire disappears—not in defeat, but in harmony. To extinguish is to restore stillness.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 肖 (resemble)
On: ショウ ・ Kun: き（える）、け（す）
況 – But of Course
Water flows in a certain way—and so does logic. If even this is true, then “of course” the rest must be. The situation speaks for itself.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 兄 (older brother)
On: キョウ ・ Kun: まし（て）
河 – River
Water meets possibility. When it grows large enough, a stream becomes a river—carving through mountains, bringing life wherever it flows.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 可 (possible)
On: カ ・ Kun: かわ
泊 – Overnight
Water comes to a pause, anchoring for the night. A boat drifts gently, choosing to rest rather than press forward. This is to stay overnight.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 白 (white)
On: ハク ・ Kun: と（まる）、と（める）
湖 – Lake
Water surrounded by land, still and reflective. A lake holds the sky in silence—like a mirror grounded in earth.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 胡 (old moon / name radical)
On: コ ・ Kun: みずうみ
測 – Fathom
Water runs deep—but how deep? A tool is lowered, a question is asked. To fathom is to feel the measure of the unseen.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 則 (rule, measure)
On: ソク ・ Kun: はか（る）
土 – Soil
A single stroke marks the surface. Below it lies the earth—firm, foundational, and always underfoot.
Radicals: 土 (soil)
On: ド、ト ・ Kun: つち
吐 – Spit
The mouth pushes something out—air, words, or emotion. To spit is to release what can no longer stay within.
Radicals: 口 (mouth) + 土 (soil)
On: ト ・ Kun: は（く）
圧 – Pressure
Something heavy sits above the land, pressing downward. Pressure is unseen weight—felt, not seen.
Radicals: 压 (cover) + 土 (soil)
On: アツ ・ Kun: —
埼 – Cape
Land reaches out into the water—bold and narrow. A cape is not the end, but the furthest point of presence.
Radicals: 土 (soil) + 奇 (strange, uncommon)
On: キ ・ Kun: さき
垣 – Hedge
Earth is shaped into walls to protect what lies within. A hedge is nature’s fence—quiet but firm.
Radicals: 土 (soil) + 益 (profit, benefit)
On: エン ・ Kun: かき
填 – Inlay
Gaps are not always flaws—they invite completion. Earth is pressed into emptiness, piece by piece, until the form is whole.
Radicals: 土 (soil) + 真 (true)
On: テン ・ Kun: う（める）、う（まる）、う（もれる）
圭 – Squared Jewel
Two pieces of earth stack neatly—firm, balanced, and shining. The squared jewel is not about sparkle, but quiet perfection.
Radicals: 土 (soil) doubled
On: ケイ ・ Kun: —
封 – Seal
A boundary is set, and something is closed tight. A seal is not just to hide—it protects and declares what lies within is whole.
Radicals: 寸 (measurement) + 圭 (squared jewel)
On: フウ、ホウ ・ Kun: —
涯 – Horizon
Where water meets sky, the world seems to end. The horizon isn’t a wall—it’s an invitation to look beyond.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 圭 (squared jewel)
On: ガイ ・ Kun: はて
寺 – Temple
A place where work becomes prayer. A temple is more than a building—it’s where time and stillness meet.
Radicals: 土 (soil) + 寸 (measurement/hand)
On: ジ ・ Kun: てら
時 – Time
A temple bell rings, marking the sun's passage. “Time” is not just numbers—it’s the rhythm of being alive.
Radicals: 日 (sun) + 寺 (temple)
On: ジ ・ Kun: とき
均 – Level
The earth is pressed and made even. Level ground brings balance—and balance brings peace.
Radicals: 土 (soil) + 勻 (even)
On: キン ・ Kun: なら（す）
火 – Fire
Flames dance upward in both directions. Fire brings warmth, danger, and light—a living force that moves.
Radicals: 火 (fire)
On: カ ・ Kun: ひ、ほ
炎 – Inflammation
One fire atop another—intensity doubled. This is not just a flame, but a blaze that consumes and transforms.
Radicals: 火 (fire) doubled
On: エン ・ Kun: ほのお
煩 – Anxiety
Fire rises in the head and refuses to calm. Worry is like a fever—burning without relief.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 頁 (head)
On: ハン、ボン ・ Kun: わずら（う）、わずら（わす）
淡 – Thin (Faint)
Water meets fire, and both soften. What remains is a gentle trace—subtle, faint, and full of peace.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 炎 (blaze)
On: タン ・ Kun: あわ（い）
灯 – Lamp
A small flame in the darkness becomes a guide. A lamp doesn’t chase away the night—it gently reveals the way.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 丁 (block)
On: トウ ・ Kun: ひ
畑 – Farm
A field touched by fire becomes fertile. This is no wild plain—this is a farm, nurtured by both earth and flame.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 田 (field)
On: — ・ Kun: はたけ、はた
災 – Disaster
When fire and water collide, nature rebels. Disaster isn’t just destruction—it’s a break in harmony.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 巛 (river)
On: サイ ・ Kun: わざわ（い）
灰 – Ashes
After the fire has spoken, only silence remains. Ashes are not the end—they’re what’s left when everything unnecessary has burned away.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 厂 (cliff)
On: カイ ・ Kun: はい
点 – Spot
Fire leaves a mark—a single dot of light or burn. A point is where attention gathers, even for a moment.
Radicals: 黑 (black/dot form) + 火 (fire)
On: テン ・ Kun: —
照 – Illuminate
Fire meets reflection and becomes light that reaches others. To illuminate is not just to shine—it’s to reveal.
Radicals: 火 (fire) + 昭 (bright)
On: ショウ ・ Kun: て（る）、て（らす）、て（れる）
魚 – Fish
A creature with fins, tail, and gills—made for water and always moving. Fish live where others drown.
Radicals: 魚 (fish)
On: ギョ ・ Kun: さかな、うお
漁 – Fishing
Water holds treasure, but you must work to gather it. Fishing is the ancient dance between patience and the sea.
Radicals: 氵 (water) + 魚 (fish)
On: ギョ、リョウ ・ Kun: あさ（る）
