This square forms a pictograph of a MOUTH.

くち

DAY

. Pictograph of the sun. *Primitives = sun, tongue wagging in mouth.

ひ｜か

Pictograph of the crescent MOON as seen through wisps of clouds (popular).When this kanji appears as a primitive on the LEFT side of a kanji, it brings the connation of "part of body", "flesh", or "meat".*Primitives = part of the body, flesh, meat, moon.

つき

Pictograph of a grid of RICE FIELDS. Note the third stroke is from the top downward. *Primitive = brain.

た

When turned sideways, the box in the middle could be seen as forming the pupil of an EYE (popular).

め｜ま

This looks like a grave-marker, the ever-nearing destination of the very OLD.

ふる・す｜ふる・い

FIVE MOUTHS have "I".

われ

With the SUN in your EYES, you RISK not catching the fly ball and a subsequent conking on the head.

おか・す

Two COMPANION MOONS shine over an alien planet. | FLESH lends a sense of closeness to the kanji for COMPANION.

とも

The SUN and MOON together make for a BRIGHT day (popular).

あか・るむ｜あか・るい｜あかる・く｜あきら・か｜あか・らむ｜あ・かす｜あ・くる｜あ・ける｜あかり

唱

A MOUTH, for 2 consecutive DAYS, CHANTS.

とな・える

These three MOUTHS together almost look like GOODS piled up and ready for shipment.

しな

The NEEDLE-like stem (of a sunflower) combines with the SUN on top to spread its arms to greet the EARLY morning SUN, in a kanji-like SUN-FLOWER. *Primitive = sunflower

はや・い｜はや・まる｜はや・める

Stay for NINE SUN-rises in the Land of the RISING SUN or else you'll never get over the jet-lag. | Fittingly, SUN plays a role in RISING SUN.

あさひ

THREE TENS add up to the 30 years of a given GENERATION (popular). *Alternate primitive = leaf

よ

胆

The PART OF THE BODY which gets up every day at NIGHTBREAK is the GALL BLADDER.

きも

The SUN rises up over the FLOOR of the ground to the CEILING of the sky, thus SPANNING the day. | The temporal DAY fittingly plays a part in the kanji for SPAN. *Alternate primitive = Spam

わた・る

Pictograph of a square with the top　CON-CAVEing in.

ぼこ｜へこ・む

CONVEX

でこ

Kids were punished by whacking them with a CANE all DAY long in the OLDEN TIMES. | The temporal DAY finds its way into the kanji for OLDEN TIMES.

ふる・い

If you've ever been around Japanese people, you know that they point one finger to their own NOSE, i.e., The DROP between the EYES, to indicate ONESELF (popular). *Primitive = nose

みずか・ら

One DROP of the SUN is WHITE (popular). *Primitive = white bird, or dove.

しろ・い

A CANE is stuck in a whale's MOUTH, allowing fish to go IN and out.

なか

If two lines make a TEN, then three lines = 10 to the 3rd, i.e. ONE THOUSAND. (Popular).

ち

A THOUSAND MOUTHS combine to make one huge TONGUE.

した

A THOUSAND bent NEEDLES are kept in an old SEWING BOX. Note how the THOUSAND is slightly curved. * Primitive = sewing box

ます

The SUN tries to set on a needly SEWING BOX and immediately must RISE UP again. | The SUN shines its first light in RISING UP.

のぼ・る

NINE DROPS make a ROUND pattern. *Primitive = a fat, round baseball player.

まる｜まる・い｜まる・める

A mutant who has TEN BRAINS GLUED together uses them to reach the top of his chosen SPECIALTY.

もっぱ・ら

In a trance, a gypsy holds a DIVINING ROD, and spirit's words emit from her MOUTH, presenting an image of FORTUNE-TELLING. | MOUTH sets the tone in the kanji for FORTUNE TELLING.g Pictograph of a DIVINING ROD or a MAGIC WAND.

し・める｜うらな・う

A MAGIC WAND stands ABOVE a FLOOR.

うえ｜うわ｜かみ｜のぼ・す｜のぼ・せる｜のぼ・る｜あ・げる｜あ・がる

A MAGIC WAND hangs BELOW a ceiling.

くだ・さる｜くだ・す｜くだ・る｜さ・がる｜さ・げる｜した｜しも｜お・ろす｜お・りる｜もと

Represented by a MOUTH on a SHELL, this kanji has the look of a robotic Member.

A creature consisting only of an EYE and HUMAN LEGS SEES extremely well.

み・える｜み・せる｜み・る

In the OLDEN DAYS, when man was changing from beast to man, if a NEWBORN BABE had HUMAN LEGS, it was allowed to live.  | The temporal SUN finds its way into NEWBORN BABE.

こ

TWO HUMAN LEGS are given out at the BEGINNING.

もと

A picture of ONE NOSE with the ANIMAL LEGS representing the moustache, forms a picture of a HEAD, an illustration which also adorns each PAGE of a book. *Primitive = head

ページ

If someone's HEAD always sticks with the BEGINNING idea, then he is very STUBBORN. | HEAD in the sense of "HEADSTRONG" plays a role in this kanji.

かたく・な  

A storm that is just a puff of WIND and a DROP of rain is MEDIOCRE effort.

およ・そ｜すべ・て

BOUND UP with a rope made of snapping SEA-SHELLS, an opponent is DEFEATED. Or think of a CLAMSHELL’s mouth being BOUND UP as a sign of DEFEAT

お・う｜ま・かす｜ま・ける

If your billfold is down to only ONE BOUND UP (by the billfold) TEN THOUSAND  yen note, it's time to go to the bank and get some more.

よろず

A captive with MOUTH BOUND UP can only speak in muffled PHRASES.  | A MOUTH utters the catch-PHRASE of this kanji.

FLESH blown on by WIND looses its soft TEXTURE.

はだ

The standard measure of DAYS in ancient China was 10 DAYS "BOUND UP", thus creating a DECAMARON. | The temporal DAY appears in DECAMARON.

BOUND-UP and DROP combine to create an image of a LADLE.

せき

At a carnival booth, you shoot at an imitation WHITE DOVE, and if you hit it, you get to fish a prize out with a LADLE - your reward for hitting the BULL'S EYE.

まと

ANIMAL HORNS growing out of your NOSE reach down to your NECK.

くび

A fishhook pulls out FISHGUTS.*Primitive = fishhook

きのと

Sticking their TONGUES out at police, only to be brought under control by police wielding FISHHOOKS, are rampaging RIOTERS.

み・だす｜みだ・れる

CROSSED-EYES of a race-car driver are straightened out in surgery with a special FISHHOOK, and can now see the STRAIGHTAWAYS of the race track STRAIGHTWAY (right away), without needing the time to uncross.

なお・す｜ただ・ちに｜なお・る

 TOOLS with an EYE mounted on it is especially good at completing its job. The TOOL primitive at the bottom of this kanji could be seen of as a table where you keep your TOOLS.

つぶさ・に｜そな・える

The TEN EYES of "straightaway" here are used as a TOOL to see the TRUTH.

ま

Represents a carpenter's square, used in his CRAFT of working with wood. *Alternate primitive = carpenter's square

たくみ

BY ONE'S SIDE hangs a CARPENTER'S SQUARE, to the LEFT, leaving the right side free to do the main work. Notice how the second stroke on the left is longer than the first, to emphasize the left side. (Similar to 10, but with the vertical line curving off to the left. Think of TEN fingers dangling BY ONE'S SIDE).

ひだり

The hand usually hanging BY ONE'S SIDE which is used to put food in the MOUTH is the one on the RIGHT. (Popular).

みぎ

Dangling by one's SIDE is a packet of MOON dust, a proud POSSESSION for all to see.

あ・る

If you have a lot of SHELL-CURRENCY in your POSSESSION, then you can BRIBE many people.

まかな・う

Natives of Polynesian island use SHELLS to CRAFT a TRIBUTE to the gods.

みつ・ぐ

A  CARPENTER'S SQUARE is used to create the HEADings of a wooden PARAGRAPH.

うなじ

*Primitive = dagger. *When on right, this becomes SABRE

かたな

A DROP of a SWORD is recategorized as a BLADE.  | The SWORD lends a cutting sense here to the kanji for BLADE.

は

SEVEN SWORDS CUT.

き・る｜き・れる

In a celestial romance, the SUN attempts to SEDUCE a SHINING star. *Alternate primitive = shoeshine box

The height of a stack of SHELLS is measured with a SABRE being used as a kind of RULER. | SABRE lends a sense of length to this kanji. *Alternate primitive = ruler

のっと・る

Great WEALTH is used to purchase a huge collection of old SABRES for an aficionado, the VICE-President.(畐ONE MOUTH eats all the BRAINS of various animals, a delicacy eaten by those with great WEALTH).

そ・う

A MOUTH which has been BOUND-UP is suddenly free to talk when the binding cloth is SEPARATED by a SABRE. | SABRE lends a cutting sense to the kanji for SEPARATE.

わか・れる

NAIL in that STREET sign. *Primitive = nail / exact

ひのと

As RICE FIELDS start to multiply, NAILS are used to start building a TOWN (Revised).

まち

Instead of hitting the NAIL on the HEAD, you PLACE it ON THE TOP OF HEAD of this kanji. | HEAD of course appears in this kanji.

いただき｜いただ・く

Pictograph of a small CHILD.

こ｜ね

A CHILD fears the HOOK of the dentist probing a CAVITY.

あな

Here we find the graceful kanji which represents WOMAN.

おんな｜め

A WOMAN's MOUTH often reveals a LIKENESS both physically and in her way of thinking to that of her mother.

ごと・く｜ごと・し

This kanji contains the outline of the kanji for ONNA (woman), with two dots emphasizing the maternal nature of MAMA. (Revised). *Primitive = breasts.

はは

A MOTHER gives SHELL-CURRENCY to her daughter to go out and PIERCE her ears.

つらぬ・く

Simply a MOUTH on HUMAN LEGS is how many family members think of the ELDER BROTHER. (Popular). *Primitive = teenager

あに

TEN TEENAGERS take over a recreation hall by OVERCOMING the attendants.

かつ

Three LITTLE drops. *Primitive = small

こ｜お｜ちい・さい

Small - with an extra line for emphasis to extend the meaning to "FEW".

すく・ない｜すこ・し

Pictograph of A PERSON with the horizontal line representing arms outstretched to describe something very LARGE. *Primitive = St. Bernard Dog

おお｜おお・いに｜おお・きい

In the summertime, EVENING upon EVENING combines to make MANY good times

おお・い

EVENING. Pictograph - simplified variation of MOON (and the katakana for TA).

ゆう

In this elegant kanji, we see WATER in the EVENING is seen to represent EVENTIDE.  | Fittingly, WATER appears in the kanji for EVENTIDE.

しお

In the EVENING when imagination runs free, a MAGIC WAND is used to magically transport you from the inside to the OUTSIDE.

そと｜ほか｜はず・す｜　はず・れる

Late in the EVENING a soldier identifies himself by using his MOUTH to call out his NAME

な

The extending ledge of the CLIFF marks the vacancy left by the falling STONE, represented here as a "MOUTH" or square shape.(厂Pictograph of a steep CLIFF).

いし

A ROCK breaks up into 9 x 10 = 90 pieces when it is properly SMASHED. | ROCK lends a SMASHING presence to this kanji.

くだ・く｜くだ・ける

ROCKS which are only LITTLE DROPS are shown to be SAND. | ROCK gives a key hint in the kanji for SAND.

すな

Long before the invention of the carpenter’s PLANE, people used knives and machetes (or here SABERS) to smooth out their woodwork. If you have ever seen the process, you will have been amazed at the speed and agility with which the adept can PLANE a hunk of wood into shape. Indeed, you can almost see the sparks fly from their SABERS.

けず・る

SMALL, funny looking headdress and the HUMAN LEGS represent a medicine man trying to attract the sun's RAYS. *Primitive = shaman

ひかり｜ひか・る

The DROP added to LARGE means PLUMP.

ふと・い｜ふと・る

Several ST. BERNARD DOGS sit around a table, ready to eat, with their FOUR MOUTHS wide open, gripping UTENSILS. | Since a MOUTH is the usual objective for UTENSIL, it is used in this kanji.

うつわ

People crinkle up their NOSE at an  unwashed ST. BERNARD DOG, thinking, "he's STINKING".

くさ・い

A love-struck poet exclaims "Among WOMAN are FEW, so EXQUISITE as you". | WOMAN lends her lovely presence to the kanji for EXQUISITE.  

たえ

You eliminate all but a FEW things from your line of EYE-sight see to FOCUS on something.

はぶ・く｜かえり・みる

On a CLIFF, getting hot playing under the SUN, a child sheds his THICK jacket.

あつ・い

Pictograph of a STREAM.

かわ

3 DROPS in a STREAM separate the STATES of a country.

す

Floating down a STREAM are chopped-off HEADS, indicating the fate of those who don't OBEY the powers that be.

Pictograph of CANE falling into the WATER, with a katakana FU on the left  and a RAG on the right representing the splashing WATER. *Primitive = liquid

みず

The extra DROP in WATER creates an image of a snowflake-shaped ICICLE hanging from your house.

こおり｜ひ

A DROP of WATER comes straight down from ETERNITY.

なが・い

WHITE WATER bubbles up from a SPRING. (Popular). | WATER of course will appear in the kanji for SPRING.

いずみ

CLIFF SPRINGS give rise to MEADOWS.

はら

As you walk along a MEADOW, a man with a huge HEAD jumps out of nowhere and asks you to sign a PETITION. | HEAD lends a certain organizational sense to the kanji for PETITION.

ねが・う

A subtle warning, this kanji states that you my head off to ETERNITY if you're not careful while SWIMMING in the WATER.

およ・ぐ

A poor tourist, thirsty due to lack of coke is SEDUCED by the WATER of a nearby MARSH, and ends up drowning in quicksand!

ぬま

WATER is deepest IN the OPEN SEA.

おき

CRAFT-y WATER becomes a CREEK.

え

A LIQUID with NEEDLES in it is a booby-trapped SOUP.

しる

Added to this is the MIST through which we can still see the MOON as it looms over the incoming TIDE. | WATER of course appears in the kanji for TIDE.

しお

WATER from the cliff-top MEADOW is the SOURCE for the whole community.

みなもと

Certain LIQUIDS on the TONGUE makes it more LIVELY and talkative.

い・きる

WATER from a FIRE EXTINGUISHER - EXTINGUISHES.

け・す｜　き・える

When asked if he is going to jump into the WATER for a

swim, an enthusiastic TEENAGER says, "BUT OF COURSE".

いわん・や

WATER that CAN make it all the way to the ocean is designated as a full-fledged RIVER.

かわ

WATER WHITE means you stay OVERNIGHT.

と・まる｜と・める

When the MOON got very OLD, it lost all the WATER that it had on its surface to a huge LAKE on the earth.

みずうみ

A WATER-RULER measures FATHOMS.  | WATER provides a hint in the kanji for FATHOM.

はか・る

Pictograph of SOIL. Primitives = ground, dirt, land.

つち

A MOUTH with SOIL in it SPITS it out.  (Popular).  | MOUTH of course comes into play in the kanji for SPIT.

は・く

An artificial CLIFF, as a prop in a play, is covered with SOIL, but can't withstand the PRESSURE, and collapses.

お・す

SOIL that's STRANGE is found on the CAPE.  | The kanji for CAPE fittingly contains SOIL since it is a representation of a section of ground.

 さき

SOIL is covered with cans of SPAM to form an artificial HEDGE. | SOIL is what is SPANNED by a HEDGE in this kanji.

かき

SOIL is piled on top of SOIL over the ages and eventually flattens down and turns into a SQUARE JEWEL.  

*Primitive = ivy

IVY falling off a chimney is GLUED back on, a solution which receives the SEAL of approval from the homeowner.

Standing on an IVY covered CLIFF, you gaze out over the WATER toward the HORIZON. | WATER generally represents the dividing line of the HORIZON, thus justifying its presence in this kanji

Due to lack of new recruits, SOIL surrounding a BUDDHIST TEMPLE is covered with GLUE to trap unwitting tourists into joining the priesthood, or at least to hear a sales pitch.

てら

In the olden days,  looking out at the position of the SUN from a BUDDHIST TEMPLE was the only way to tell the TIME.

とき

SOIL with a DROP breaking its smooth surface is made LEVEL by a LADLE. | The SOIL of the ground is usually LEVEL, explaining its appearance here.  

なら・す｜ひと・しい

A PERSON who is a human torch has two DROPS of FIRE spraying out from him. *Primitive = hearth-fire, fireplace, conflagration

ひ｜ほ

FIRE doubles itself up to form an INFLAMMATION.

ほのお

A FIRE on your HEAD can cause considerable ANXIETY.

わずら・う｜　わずら・わす

WATER poured on a fiery INFLAMMATION, makes the fire THIN out and eventually fade away.

あわ・い

A FIRE perched atop a NAIL makes a kanji LAMP. The light cast by a FIRE is included in LAMP.

ひ

FIRE is used to clear a RICE FIELD on a Japanese FARM (popular).

はた｜はたけ

FLOOD and FIRE combine to create a major DISASTER.

わざわ・い

Huge FIRE under a CLIFF leaves nothing but ASHES.

はい

FORTUNE-TELLER at a CAMPFIRE predicts you'll get SPOTS on your clothes if you get any closer to the fire.(FIRE as it appears when squashed at the bottom of a kanji. *Primitive = cooking-fire, campfire).

とも・す

An old SHOESHINE BOX is thrown onto a CAMP-FIRE to provide some ILLUMINATION to hobos reading old paperback novels. | FIRE casts its light in the kanji for ILLUMINATE.

て・らす｜て・る｜て・れる

BOUND UP, dragged through a RICE-FIELD, and fried over a COOKING FIRE, is what usually happens to a kanji FISH.

うお｜さかな

WATER combines with FISH to create an image of someone FISHING.

あさ・る

The GROUND covered by a  RICE FIELD is one RI (about 4 kilometres). *Primitive = computer

さと

A COMPUTER tossed onto a CAMP-FIRE ends up a charred BLACK colour.

くろ｜くろ・い

BLACK SOIL is poured into a fountain pen, and comes out of the other end as BLACK INK.

すみ

A FISH with a COMPUTER in its head is a CARP.  How else could they figure out how to swim upstream? | Fittingly, FISH will appear in the kanji for CARP.

こい

Churning throughout the dark hours until NIGHTBREAK, a COMPUTER churns out an enormous QUANTITY of printout.

はか・る

Once SOIL gets into a COMPUTER, it's useless, so you might just as BURY it.

う・まる｜う・める｜う・もれる

At a convention of "The Brotherhood", all the participants wear a HOOD and pledge that when they open their MOUTHS they will speak with ONE and the SAME voice. *Primitive = monk. (冂Hood is similar to WIND, but with the bottom right turned in. *Primitive = glass hood, pheasant glass).

おな・じ

WATER only, not alcohol, is accepted as a drink by the MONK who is visiting your house  and relaxing in the DEN.

ほら

The PART OF THE BODY most important to the MONK is the TRUNK, where he focuses his meditation. | PART OF THE BODY plays a key role in the kanji for TRUNK.

The DROP on the HOOD acts as a kind of pointing antennae, while the MOUTH of the wearer informs you that what you are looking for is over YONDER.

む・かう｜む・く｜む・こう｜む・ける

A very SMALL MOUTH is kept in a GLASS HOOD, as reminder of an ESTEEMED opponent who came to a sad end.

なお

A CHILD in a HOUSE feverishly studies kanji CHARACTERS.(宀Pictograph of a HOUSE).

あざ

Using GLUE to catch an intruder heading into a HOUSE is an alert GUARD.

まも・る｜もり

In a voice that SPANS the HOUSE-tops, a coming event is PROCLAIMED for all to hear.

HOUSE is surrounded by lighted CANDLES so you can find it in the WEE HOURS. | In a HOUSE is generally where the WEE HOURS are spent.

よい

A WOMAN can RELAX in her HOUSE.

やす・い

A HOUSE is fittingly a place to have a BANQUET, here prepared by a talented WOMAN. There is an entire DAY making the BANQUET interrupting her RELAXATION).

うたげ

A HOUSE which is STRANGE DRAWS NEAR in a nightmare.

よ・る｜よ・せる

This full kanji for WEALTH shows the huge HOUSE that the WEALTH can buy. | A HOUSE is shown as the place to keep one's WEALTH.

とみ｜と・む

SHELL-CURRENCY which can buy enough NAILS to build a HOUSE comprises a life's SAVINGS.

たくわ・える

This kanji can mean TREE or WOOD.

き

Two TREES make a GROVE.

はやし

森

Three TREES make a FOREST.

もり

Contrary to popular belief, JUDAS received an ivy-coloured SQUARE JEWEL for his infamous betrayal, and the location of the payment was under a TREE. | TREE fittingly is found in this kanji. JAPANESE JUDAS TREE.

かつら

An OAK TREE is painted WHITE to disguise it as a birch, so that it won't be chopped down by foresters seeking the highly valued OAK. | TREE fittingly is found in this kanji.

かしわ

The WOOD which is 9 X 10 = 90 times more expensive than the picture itself is the FRAME. Each corner of a WOODEN FRAME is NINETY degrees.

わく

You climb a TREE, and find a FIRE-EXTINGUISHER at the TREETOP, kept there in case of a forest fire. TREE fittingly is found in this kanji.

こずえ

A book-end made from WOOD holds up two books about the MOON on a SHELF. (The MOONS almost resemble the binders of books as seen from the side).

たな

An APRICOT TREE will grow out of a MOUTH that eats too many APRICOTS. | TREE lends a plat like presence in this kanji an APRICOT.

あんず

A TREE which looks the SAME as someone named "Paul", is named the "PAULOWNIA". | TREE fittingly is found in this kanji for the PAULOWNIA tree.

きり

A TREE growing STRAIGHTAWAY is a fast-growing PLANT.

う・える｜う・わる

A TREE beside a TOMBSTONE gets depressed at the company, so WITHERS and dies. | TREE and OLD both provide important hints in this kanji for WITHER.

か・らす｜か・れる

To use a TREE as MAGIC WAND is thought to be rather CRUDE behaviour.

ほお

TREES GLUED together form the structures of a VILLAGE (Revised).

むら

Sitting in TREES near a border, enemy soldiers EYE each other, INTER-acting in such a way as to create an INTER-national crisis. | The INTER-locking EYES provide a key hint to this kanji.

あい

A TREE which was blown down by the WIND serves as an impromptu DESK.

つくえ

A "cross-cut" from a TREE becomes a BOOK.

もと

All the TREES in a preserve have a HOOK attached to them, from which a TAG is hung, identifying it for tourists and scientists.

ふだ

In these days of deforestation, as seen high on a CLIFF, each tree that disappears from a GROVE marks another DAY on our CALENDAR. | The temporal DAY lends it presence to CALENDAR.

こよみ

You RELAX after a falling TREE narrowly misses you, and figuring you've got some time left on this world, you go ahead and PLAN your future.

A FIRE burns up a NEST, leaving only DRIED UP remains. (GOODS shown atop a TREE give a pictorial representation of a NEST).

A TREE with a SHORT LINE at the top indicates that it is NOT YET ready to be harvested.

ま・だ

A TREE with a LONG HORIZONTAL LINE at the top has grown to its TIP.

すえ

WATER travels to great EXTREMITIES when propelled by a huge SPLASH. | Of course WATER is going to found in the kanji for SPLASH.

あわ

The MOUTH is NOT ready to stop tasting that delicious FLAVOR.

あじ｜あじ・わう

A  WOMAN who is NOT YET mature is a YOUNGER SISTER.

いもうと

A DROP in a scientific experiment has NOT YET changed colour - but if it turns A redish color, then the test is positive.

A WOODEN board with VERMILION coloured markings could have been the first "Big Board" of the Japanese STOCK exchange.

かぶ

The FLOWERS leaning to the RIGHT point toward the fountain of YOUTH. (One cross stroke with two downward strokes creates a FLOWER)

わか・い

The "EARLIEST" FLOWER is, of course, GRASS.

くさ

FLOWER grows OLD, SUFFERS.

くる・しい｜くる・しむ｜くる・しめる｜にが・い｜にが・る

In a HOTHOUSE/HOUSE OF FLOWERS, a gentle gardener SEES that his plants are growing slowly but is nonetheless very TOLERANT.

くつろ・ぐ

WATER and FLOWERS are seen in an ACUPUNCTURIST's office, so as to DILUTE the patient's fear. | WATER is not surprisingly found in the kanji for DILUTE.

うす・い｜うす・まる｜うす・める｜うす・らぐ｜うす・れる

Here we see a pretty picture of FLOWERING LEAVES on TREE.

は

A famous impressionist  is buried next to a TREE in a GRAVEYARD, and it soon becomes a tradition for aspiring comedians to stand under the tree and practice their IMITATIONS. FLOWERS, each and every DAY, are carried by a faithful ST. BERNARD to the GRAVEYARD of its departed master.

Glancing down into a pool of WATER in a GRAVEYARD, you see a VAGUE reflection, perhaps of a ghost sneaking up behind you. | Since things seen through WATER appear VAGUE, it's an appropriate element for this kanji.

In a GRAVEYARD, fresh SOIL covers a GRAVE.

はか

We can distract ourselves from the fate which awaits us all, i.e. The GRAVEYARD, by filling our DAYS with the activities through which we earn our LIVELIHOOD

く・れる｜く・らす

The MOON shining into a GRAVEYARD shines through the MEMBRANE of your skin, showing that perhaps you are turning into a ghost.

FLOWER-ing in a FIELD is a SEEDLING.　FLOWER gives an idea of the plant-like nature of SEEDLING.

なえ｜なわ

These lines actually represent the back of a TURTLE, which in ancient times were read as a PORTENT of things to come. (Popular). *Alternate primitive = tortoise shell

きざ・し｜きざ・す

In our version of the Momotarou story (who was born from a PEACH), the TREE with the TORTOISE SHELL on top is the PEACH TREE.

もも

An ominous looking EYE is embedded in a TORTOISE SHELL, STARING at you as you enter into a primitive structure in search of a sacred treasure. | EYE lends an unblinking presence appears in the kanji for STARE.

なが・める

Pictograph - of the huge St. BERNARD DOG standing next to a small DOT of a CHIHUAHUA DOG. *Primitive = Chihuahua

いぬ

A pitch-BLACK CHIHUAHUA barks wildly as you pass by, until you suddenly command, "SILENCE!".

だま・る

The MEAT of a CHIHUAHUA, baked on a CAMP-FIRE, is not the SORT OF THING you'd expect in a fancy restaurant.

しか・り｜しか・し

As a forest FIRE rages above, a WILD DOG ducks underwater and breathes through a REED, represented by the FLOWER. | FLOWER gives a clue as to the plant-like nature of REED. DOG when it appears on the left side of a kanji changes to a WILD DOG.

おぎ

WILD DOGS are HUNTED by the palace GUARD. | WILD DOGS lend a sense of the HUNT to this kanji.

かり｜か・る

A "SEEDLING" of a WILD DOG is a CAT. | The middling sized animal WILD DOG helps here to give shape to a CAT. WILD DOGS love chasing CATS so much that they plant CAT SEEDLINGS so they will have even more to chase.

ねこ

Attempting unsuccessfully to RECLINE on a bed of NEEDLES in India is an sacred COW.

うし

From a sacred COW's MOUTH comes a REVELATION. (Popular).

つ・げる

The mutant COW who walks on HUMAN LEGS marches proudly BEFORE the rest of the herd.

さき

WATER, BEFORE a meal, is used to WASH up. |WATER is of course found in the kanji for WASH.

あら・う

Two CANES (one curved) are accidentally JAMMED IN to an UMBRELLA in an UMBRELLA stand.

すけ

All the RICE-FIELDS are JAMMED IN to our very small WORLD.

Under a huge UMBRELLA covered with FLOWERS and supported by a WOODEN POLE, people sip at TEA.

This kanji uses MEETING and MOUTH to draw a picture of two pipes MEETING, with one pipe going into the "MOUTH" of the other, a perfect FIT. Everyone gathers under ONE UMBRELLA in a MEETING.

あ・う｜あ・わす｜あ・わせる

In some very fertile SOIL, FLOWERS grow so tall that they FIT together to form a huge PAGODA.

The DROPS associated with a KING are ball shaped JEWELS. *Primitive = ball

たま

All the JEWELS in the national treasury are HOUSED in an enormous TREASURE chest. | HOUSE is shown to be the place where TREASURE is kept.

たから

The KING, lacking political vision, SEES only the PRESENT.

あらわ・す｜あらわ・れる

WILD DOGS are ordered by the cruel KING to be unleashed upon the LUNATICS.

くる・う｜くる・おしい

As the colour WHITE is sometimes used to represent enhanced status, here it is used to represent a "WHITE KING", i.e., The king in charge of all other kings, thus the EMPEROR.

The square of MOUTH mounted on a SCEPTRE creates an image of a television DISPLAY.

朝

The MOON can sometimes be seen through the MIST in early MORNING.*Radical on the left side of the kanji means MIST.

あさ

A huge MOUTH seems to say "if ONLY I didn't have ANIMAL LEGS".

ただ

A KING raises an UMBRELLA high over his head during a picnic on a potentially rainy day, to indicate that he "ate the WHOLE thing", and wants to be served even more.

まった・く

A WHOLE TREE is needed to create a kind of gigantic PLUG. (Umbrella + tree = whole)

That which makes a KING out of the COMPUTER is its LOGIC.

ことわり

A DROP of a KING is a LORD. *Primitive = candlestick

おも｜ぬし

WATER is POURED onto CANDLESTICK to douse it.

そそ・ぐ

In the famous biblical story, Samson regained his strength when his hair grew back, and knocked down the PILLARS to which he was chained.  Here we see that those two PILLARS were composed of a TREE and a CANDLESTICK, respectively.

はしら

The KING sits under an UMBRELLA as each of his vassals presents him with two DROPS of GOLD. *Primitive = metal

かね｜かな

METAL BEFORE was  PIG-IRON.

ずく

The METAL which MONKS prefer is COPPER pennies, due to their vow of poverty. | METAL provides the flavour in this kanji for COPPER.

あかがね

A METAL LADLE is used to hold the bait for a fisherman busy ANGLING. | The METAL of the hook used is shown in this kanji for ANGLING.

つ・る

METAL is used to make NEEDLES.

はり

GOLD TRULY TRANQUILIZES.

しず・まる｜しず・める

The NECK represents a "bottle-neck" (narrow passage) in a ROAD-WAY.

みち

When we accept someone’s GUIDANCE, we permit ourselves to be GLUED to a certain ROAD or WAY of doing something and try to “stick to it.

みち・びく

TEN ROADS come together to form a mega-CROSSING. | ROAD provides the flavour in this kanji for CROSSING.

つじ

At a race which finishes at a CROSSING, a FISHHOOK swoops down to take the winner to the victory stand as the SWIFTEST of all. ROAD provides its sense of motion to the kanji for SWIFT.

はや・い

The speaking cow of REVELATION gives up its secrets as we travel the ROAD to understanding the CREATION of the universe.

つく・る

The bright WHITE lines painted down the middle of the ROAD are subconsciously URGING you to drive sensibly and not weave between lanes.

せま・る

A tortoise runs clean out of his TORTOISE-SHELL and flees down the ROAD as he ESCAPES from prison.

のが・す｜のが・れる｜に・がす｜に・げる

A BLADE  to cut out a new ROAD, thus allowing access to the local BOUNDARY.

あた・り｜べ

A FLOODED-out ROAD is PATROLLED by police. | ROAD here provides a sense of movement to the kanji for PATROL.

めぐ・る

*primitives = vehicle, car, cart, wagon

くるま

With a CAR on the ROAD you can TAKE ALONG your kids.

つら・なる｜つら・ねる｜つ・れる

CARS, NINE in all, passing over the same spot create a RUT. | CAR provides a hint as to the cause of a RUT in this kanji.

ANIMAL HORNS at a BUTCHER's shop are displayed prominently IN FRONT.

まえ

The persuasive MOUTH tries to convince you that EACH pair of STILTS is perfectly made. Or you could just imagine a pair of human legs stepping on EACH mouth.

おのおの

In the not so distant future, EACH TREE will have an "endangered-species" STATUS.

いたる

EACH HOUSE provides a home for an honoured GUEST.

To keep track of all your GUESTS, you imagine their names written on their HEAD, and what better part to do this than the FOREHEAD.

ひたい

A massive HEAD on a pair of STILTS wanders down the beach in mid-SUMMER. Note that the animal legs of HEAD have been replaced by the WALKING LEGS.

なつ

WALKING LEGS carelessly kick about improperly  litter blowing in the WIND which has been improperly DISPOSED.

ところ

STILTS used to climb a TREE suddenly break like a TWIG.

From EACH FLOWER, WATER FALLS.

お・ちる｜お・とす

The wearer of the CROWN takes too many polls and makes his decisions based on however the WIND is blowing,  thus causing his opinions to be regarded as SUPERFLUOUS.

A leader  wears a CROWN as he rides his VEHICLE into battle at the head of his ARMY. A CAR provides the means of transportation for an ARMY in this kanji.

A SHAMAN takes a ride in a CHARIOT wearing a RADIANT smile. You may recall the SMALL combined with HUMAN LEGS, which formed the shaman of the kanji for RAY.

かがや・く

CHARIOTS roll along a ROAD as they CARRY goods to the front lines.

はこ・ぶ

In this full kanji representation of CROWN, we find that in the BEGINNING of his reign, an ill-fitting CROWN was GLUED to a young king's head, until he finally got used to the idea of wearing the CROWN.

かんむり

FLOWERS fall about your EYES and you receive a CROWN in a coronation, all during the EVENING as you DREAM. EVENING slips subtly into the kanji for DREAM.

ゆめ

SOIL thrown up by a moving WHIRLWIND leaves a huge PIT.

The TOPHAT and MOUTH replace the antenna of YONDER to create an image of a TALL person who can see way over YONDER.

たか｜たか・い｜たか・まる｜たか・める

A TALL CHILD RECEIVES many gifts.

う・ける

The TALL, FAT CHILD from CRAM SCHOOL takes a hot bath heated by a CAMP-FIRE, and MELLOWS out.

う・れる

A TALL CROWN held up by a huge NAIL forms an image of a PAVILION.

WATER is tossed onto the CAPITAL building to REFRESH the moribund ideas of the politicians inside. A dash of WATER helps make things REFRESHING in this kanji.

すず・しい｜すず・む

A FISH as big as the nation's CAPITAL is said to be a WHALE. | Though not technically correct from a biological classification standpoint, FISH nonetheless appears in the kanji for WHALE.

くじら

The making of a GLASS HOOD involves placing it over a LIDDED CROCK to make sure it has exactly the right CIRCUMFERENCE.

まわり