KML – Chapter Twelve
介 – Jammed In
A person squeezes between two lines—shoulders hunched, jammed in tight.
人 (person) + stroke representing insertion
On: カイ
界 – World
A field divided by boundaries makes up a world. It’s how we define space.
田 (rice field) + 介 (jammed in)
On: カイ ・ Kun: さかい
茶 – Tea
Leaves from the plant world are gathered under a roof for a calming tea ritual.
艹 (grass) + 人 (person) + 木 (tree)
On: チャ・サ
脊 – Spinal Column
Inside the body, a stack of bones rises like a ladder—the spinal column holding us upright.
⺼ (flesh) + three stacked elements resembling a column
On: セキ
合 – Fit
A lid fits snugly into the mouth of a jar. When all parts align, it’s a perfect fit.
口 (mouth) + 一 (one) + 人 (person/lid)
On: ゴウ・ガッ・カッ ・ Kun: あ(う)、あ(わせる)
塔 – Pagoda
A tower made of earth, rising in layers like a pagoda, storing sacred relics.
土 (earth) + 荅 (response, layered structure)
On: トウ
王 – King
Three lines of authority connected by a central staff—the king who rules heaven, earth, and people.
Horizontal bars + vertical stroke
On: オウ
玉 – Jewel
A round shape with a sparkle—this is the royal jewel, simple and radiant.
Like 王 (king) but with a dot added
On: ギョク ・ Kun: たま
宝 – Treasure
Under the roof lies the king’s jewel—his hidden treasure, shining in the dark.
宀 (roof) + 玉 (jewel)
On: ホウ ・ Kun: たから
珠 – Pearl
A precious jewel with a reddish tint—refined and treasured as a perfect pearl.
玉 (jewel) + 朱 (vermilion)
On: シュ ・ Kun: たま
現 – Present
A jewel appears before your eyes—it’s not imagined, it’s present and real.
王 (jewel) + 見 (see)
On: ゲン ・ Kun: あらわ(れる)、あらわ(す)
玩 – Toy
A king plays with a toy to learn how to rule with gentleness. Even power needs play.
王 (king) + 元 (origin)
On: ガン ・ Kun: あそ(ぶ)
狂 – Lunatic
Even a dog, once infected or wild, becomes mad—running beyond reason.
犭 (animal/dog) + 王 (king)
On: キョウ ・ Kun: くる(う)、くる(おしい)
旺 – Effulgent
The king stands in sunlight—bright, powerful, and glowing with energy.
日 (sun) + 王 (king)
On: オウ
皇 – Emperor
The king who shines above all—wearing white robes and divine light—is the emperor.
白 (white) + 王 (king)
On: コウ・オウ
呈 – Display
Words placed before others—clearly shown—become a display for all to see.
口 (mouth) + 王 (upright form or offering)
On: テイ
全 – Whole
A person under a roof, complete and safe. Nothing missing—whole and intact.
人 (person) + 入 (enter) + 一 (roof stroke)
On: ゼン
栓 – Plug
A piece of wood shaped to jam into a hole—a wooden plug that blocks or seals.
木 (tree/wood) + 全 (whole)
On: セン
理 – Logic
Even a king's jewel is examined through reason. Logic reveals the inner grain of truth.
王 (jewel) + 里 (village, reasoning)
On: リ
主 – Lord
A master stands with a flame above, lighting the way—this is the lord of the house.
丶 (drop/flame) + 王 (king)
On: シュ ・ Kun: ぬし、おも
注 – Pour
Water flows where attention goes—when you pour, you focus the stream with care.
氵 (water) + 主 (lord)
On: チュウ ・ Kun: そそ(ぐ)
柱 – Pillar
A wooden post supports the lord’s house—strong, straight, and central: the pillar.
木 (tree) + 主 (lord)
On: チュウ ・ Kun: はしら
金 – Gold
A lump of shining metal hidden in the earth—gold is the buried light of kings.
An abstract compound of earth and spark elements
On: キン・コン ・ Kun: かね、かな
銑 – Pig Iron
Metal in its rawest form—before refinement, pig iron glows hot and rough.
金 (metal) + 先 (before)
On: セン
鉢 – Bowl
A metal container shaped like a bowl—used for food, offerings, or even flowers.
金 (metal) + 本 (origin/base)
On: ハチ、ハツ
銅 – Copper
A metal with the same qualities as a companion—reliable, warm, and essential: copper.
金 (metal) + 同 (same)
On: ドウ
釣 – Angling
Metal hooks hang from a line—angling requires patience and perfect balance.
金 (metal) + 勺 (ladle/hook)
On: チョウ ・ Kun: つ(る)
針 – Needle
A slender piece of metal pointing true—a needle for sewing, or finding north.
金 (metal) + 十 (ten/pointed shape)
On: シン ・ Kun: はり
銘 – Inscription
Words etched into metal—an inscription meant to last through ages.
金 (metal) + 名 (name)
On: メイ
鎮 – Tranquilize
A heavy piece of metal placed with authority calms the chaos—tranquilizing with weight and presence.
金 (metal) + 真 (true)
On: チン ・ Kun: しず(める)、しず(まる)
