RTK Lesson 2 Flashcards
Old
古
(Ten, Mouth)
Perfect pictograph of a tombstone to represent old.
*As a primitive this Kanji maintains its meaning of old, literally and abstractly.
I
吾
(Five, Mouth)
We are, as brings, five senses. These are mostly concentrated in the head, which has no less than five “mouths,” two nostrils, two ears, and one mouth. Hence, five mouths means “I.”
Risk
冒
(Sun, Eye)
Once upon a time, mom told you not to look at the sun. You did, didn’t you! You risked.
Companion
朋
(Flesh, Flesh)
The first companion God ever made was Eve, from one of Adam’s ribs. He cried “Flesh of my flesh.” Hence this Kanji, flesh of my flesh to mean companion.
Bright
明
(Sun, Moon)
Among nature’s bright lights, there are two that rule; the Sun has dominion of day, and Moon of night.
Chant
唱
(Mouth, Wagging Tongue, Wagging Tongue)
We have the choirmaster and and the chorus of two singers in the monastery chanting ancient hymns.
Sparkle
晶
(Sun, Sun, Sun)
What else can better suggest sparkle than a diamond? Hold a diamond up to the sky and see every facet sparkle like miniature suns.
*Three of something suggests “everywhere.”
Goods
品
(Mouth, Mouth, Mouth)
Goods are produced for the masses of waiting mouths, like fledglings, ready for consumption.
*Three of something suggests “everywhere.”
Spine
呂
(Mouth, Mouth)
The two mouths should not be considered here. This is a pictograph of two vertebrae connected by a nerve synapse.
Prosperous
昌
(Sun, Sun)
We speak of good times as sunny times. What could be more prosperous than two suns in the sky?
Early
早
(Sun, Needle)
This is actually a picture of the first flower of the day. We shall call it the Sunflower, as it begins with the element of the sun, and held up high with the stems and leaves.
Think the stems as needles, which can be plucked and used to darn your socks!
*As a primitive element this kanji takes the meaning of sunflower, which is to better signify the abstract meaning of early.
Rising Sun
旭
(Baseball, Sun)
This character is a nickname for the Japanese Flag, which is a rising sun. You can picture the seams of the flag running down hat red sun, and a baseball bat used as a flag pole. This is a slightly irreverent, but not inaccurate picture of how baseball caught on in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Generation
世
(Ten, Ten, Ten)
We generally consider one generation to be thirty years, or ten+ten+ten. When you see this Kanji, you will see there are three tens. The additional horizontal lines connect the tens to make the generation complete.
Stomach
胃
(Brain, Flesh)
The stomach keeps the mind and body, the brain and flesh alive.
Nightbreak
旦
(Day, Floor)
While we normally refer to the start of day as “Daybreak,” Japanese commonly refer to it as the opening of night into day. Hence, the choice of word is odd, but this we will call Nightbreak. The sun rises above the floor or horizon.
