Remembering the Kanji, Volume 3_ Writing and Reading Japanese Characters for Upper-Level Proficiency

144 | remembering the kanji 3

The standard abbreviation one would have expected here—and which
is likely to appear in official lists in the years ahead—appears in the fol-
lowing examples of common newer forms you already know:

old form modern abbreviation

  (1.1286)

   (1.367)
   (1.368)
(2.2735)

2992 enshrine

r-3031

altar . . . snake. [8]

The standard abbreviation for altar has generally taken over, but the
character in this and the following frame are exceptions.

2993 exorcism

r-3032

altar . . . chihuahua with an extra leg. [10]

Think of the “five-legged” dog here as some kind of an evil spirit that
has to be driven out, and the odd shape should be easy to remember.

2994 dither

r-2737

wooden leg . . . renowned. [19]

The old form here is the element puppet which forms part of the primi-
tive for renowned here. The difference is the addition of a final drop.
This has generally disappeared today, as in the following examples:

old form modern abbreviation

堵 (1.2192)
渚 (1.1263)
曙 (2.2448)
 箸 (2.2640)

old and alternate forms | 145

2995 longevity [old]

r-3185

lidded crock . . . broken crown . . . craft . . . floor . . . mouth . . . glue. [14]

The newer form (1.1565) tends to dominate today when it is used as a
primitive. Note the following example:

old form modern abbreviation

  (1.717)

2996 hesitate

r-3053

wooden leg . . . longevity. [14]

2997 glossary

r-3084

The primitive of this character is actually an old form of broom . The
remaining elements are: crown . . . fruit. [13]

2998 bean jam

r-2345

food . . . mandala. [20]

It is only a matter of time before this character takes the standard
abbreviation for food on the left. Meantime, it will alert you to the older
style of writing, which still shows up in rather complicated characters
that use the food primitive.

2999 retch

r-3184

mouth . . . ward. [14]

The standard abbreviation of the element to the right can be seen from
the following examples:

old form modern abbreviation

(1.1696)
(1.1698)
(1.1699)

146 | remembering the kanji 3

3000 snapping turtle

r-3088

shredder . . . eels [old form]. [25]

The change in the first three strokes of the element for shredder is a
familiar one found often in older forms. I leave it to you to combine
the pieces for the old form of eels. Learning stroke order will help con-
siderably:

鬥 鬧 鬨 鬩 鬪 鬮 鬯 鬱
鬲 鬻 鬼 魁 魂

The older form of the primitive we learned as eels is rather more dif-
ficult. You will find it in older forms of several familiar characters such
as the following:

old form modern abbreviation

  (1.1377)
  (2.2685)

part two

Reading



chapter 7

Old Pure Groups

The first group of readings center on what were called in Remembering the
Kanji  “Pure Groups.” Each character that belongs to a pure group contains
a signal primitive which prescribes a given on-yomi for that character and all
others in the group with it.

The number to the far right of the top line set in bold type indicates the frame
number in which the writing of the kanji was introduced. In almost all cases this
refers to a frame in Part One of the present volume.

The number under the character in each frame is preceded by an “r-” to indi-
cate that it refers to a reading frame. These numbers begin where vol. 2 left off.

Unlike vol. 2, the frames also include not only on-yomi but kun-yomi as well.
In some cases, the “assigned” readings are almost never used, or used only for
names. Because the number of special readings for names is virtually limitless,
only the 274 characters approved by the Ministry of Education are supplied with
on-yomi for use in names.

For further information about the layout of the frames, see page 8.

We begin this chapter with groups whose signal primitives were already
introduced in vol. 2. The signal primitive, its pronunciation, and characters
belonging to the same appear in a separate frame at the head of each section.

The number under the characters in the group frames refers to the frame
in vol. 2. which introduced the reading (hence the “r-” preceding it.) Where a
number is missing, the single primitive in question was learned only as a primi-
tive element, not as a kanji.

r-89 r-90 r-91 r-92 r-93 r-94

2343

r-2244 lion-dog

150 | remembering the kanji 3

r-2245 gold leaf 2634
r-2246 2648
lees; dregs
lees

r-78 r-79 r-80 r-81 r-82 r-83 r-84

r-2247 a country ruled in peace 2621
used in names 2771
r-2248 used in names
used in names

protection against rust
rust

r-95 r-96 r-97 r-98 r-99 r-100

2234

r-2249 kitchen knife

r-105 r-106 r-107 r-108 r-109

2373

r-2250 harshness; severity
to bully
be irritated

old pure groups | 151

膩 r-131 r-132 r-133 r-134 r-135 2867

r-2251 soap

r-157 r-158 r-159 r-160 r-161

2758

r-2252 whistle of an arrow
arrowhead

r-661 r-148 r-149 r-150 r-151 r-152

2344

r-2253 sniper; marksman
take aim

r-122 r-123 r-124 r-125 r-126

2635

r-2254 gold put in box
cabinet

r-69 r-70 r-71 r-72 r-73

2456

r-2255 to catch on; “click”

152 | remembering the kanji 3

r-127 r-128 r-129 r-130

r-2256 2410

Sugawara family
Note how the family is referred to by using the on-yomi of the
first character of their full name. Note also the unusual kun-
yomi in the name Sugawara. The standard reading is:

sedge

r-74 r-75 r-76 r-77

r-2257 formic acid 2686
ant 2609
膊
r-101 r-102 r-103 r-104

r-2258 bumper crop
bear fruit; fructify
fruitful
used in names
used in names
used in names

r-166 r-167 r-168 r-169

r-2259 2658

leggings; gaiters
adhesive plaster (for wounds)
bands; ties; shackles

old pure groups | 153
be attached

r-174 r-175 r-176 r-177 2649

r-2260 dregs

臼 r-178 r-179 r-180 r-181 2433

r-2261 more and more severe
increasingly

r-2262 r-239 r-240 r-241 2582
2419
r-2263 clear; patent 2535
r-2264 evident; obvious
used in names
used in names

distant; remote
far off in the distance

wildfire; prairie fire
watchfire
to burn

154 | remembering the kanji 3

腮

r-290 r-291 r-292

r-2265 chivalry 2107
r-2266 2792
eloquence
cheek

r-580 r-308 r-309

r-2267 iris 2366
used in names 2198

r-2268 harlot

r-203 r-204 r-205

r-2269 2806
r-2270
deception
swindle; cheat; misrepresent
to deceive; trick

2645

Part One

old pure groups | 155

r-185 r-186 r-187

r-2271 drawing water 2322
draw water 2644

r-2272 creel

r-221 r-222 r-223

2484

r-2273 ancient Chinese capital
picket

r-206 r-207 r-208

2911

r-2274 bottle gourd
gourd; calabash
gourd; calabash

r-278 r-279 r-280

2765

r-2275 chain cable; hawser
anchor; killick

156 | remembering the kanji 3

r-212 r-213 r-214

2267

r-2276 volunteer corps
pull out

r-354 r-355

r-2277 2829

phoenix; large mythical bird
used in names
used in names

r-269 r-270 r-271

2864

r-2278 blackish blue
used in names

r-284 r-285 r-286

2348

r-2279 jasmine

r-236 r-237 r-238

2349

r-2280 jasmine

old pure groups | 157

r-302 r-303

2615

r-2281 cave; rocky cavern

r-352 r-353

2417

R-2282 face; encounter
go to meet
to encounter

2375

R-2283 legendary Chinese Isle of
Eternal Youth

mugwort

2687

r-2284 honeycomb; beehive
bee

2768

r-2285 line of argument

r-338 r-339

2110

r-2286 suddenly; abruptly
sudden

158 | remembering the kanji 3

r-2287 town near Kyoto 2226
r-2288 moth 2694

r-314 r-315

r-2289 massage; masseur 2259
r-2290 2782
pommel; sidehorse 2442
saddle
r-2291
at ease; comfort
tardy; slow
at ease
used in names
used in names
used in names

r-528 r-529

2669

r-2292 orchestra
string (on a violin, etc.)

used in names

old pure groups | 159

r-2293 porthole 2675
r-2294 2581
bewilderment
feel dizzy
dizzy; dazzled

r-472 r-473

r-2295 spearsmanship 2516
spear; lance 2399

r-2296 pale; ashen
pale blue
used in names

r-448 r-449

r-2297 heron wings 2833
heron 2370

r-2298 bog rhubarb; coltsfoot

160 | remembering the kanji 3

r-478 r-479

r-2299 welding 2547
melt (metals) 2362
be melted (metals)
r-2300
lotus; cotton rose

r-298 r-299

r-2301 toys 2567
toy with 2899

r-2302 savor; appreciate
toy with

r-300 r-301

2594

r-2303 rocky beach
r-2304
2887
region around Kyoto–Osaka

old pure groups | 161

r-366 r-367

r-2305 2203
r-2306 wife

2329
dead drunk
become wet; be impassioned

r-482 r-483

r-2307 hoe 2762
r-2308 Japanese bush clover 2351

r-512 r-513

r-2309 woodcutter; lumberjack 2478
woodcutter 2367
cut wood
r-2310
Bashõ (haiku poet)

162 | remembering the kanji 3

r-462 r-463

r-2311 2716

clear vision
Four Noble Truths of Buddhism
give up; abandon

2741

r-2312 U-shaped
hoof
膤 

r-412 r-413

2116

R-2313 few; little; meagre
a few

2099

r-2314 Dutch trefoil; wild celery
violet
舖

r-474 r-475

R-2315 worship from a distance 2418
far off; in the distance 2553

r-2316 beautiful face
beautiful stone

old pure groups | 163

r-1571 yearning; hankering 2280
aspire for; be drawn to 2245
r-2317
r-2318 billiards
log used to strike a bell
strike against

r-230 r-231 r-232

r-2319 2533

腋 ball; type of chrysanthemum
ball

r-344 r-345

r-2320 cover; shelter 2358
to cover; to conceal 2927
dark; hidden
r-2321
glance; a peek at

164 | remembering the kanji 3

r-257 r-259

2289

r-2322 the five continents
sandbar; sandbank
island
used in names

r-440 r-441

2266

r-2323 silk throwing
twist; tweak
a twist; ply

r-514 r-515

2746

r-2324 soy sauce

r-312 r-313

2603

r-2325 propitious
upright
happy
used in names
used in names
used in names

used for names

old pure groups | 165

r-364 r-365

r-2326 2672

ribbon (of an official seal)
cord
braided cord

r-406 r-407

2761

r-2327 keyboard; clavier
key

r-416 r-417

2164

r-2328 laryngitis
throat

r-316 r-317

r-2329 2629
raft

r-336 r-337

2260

r-2330 capture; apprehension
catch; grab hold of

166 | remembering the kanji 3

r-444 r-445

2455

r-2331 pyosis; turning to pus
to fester

r-430 r-431

2799

r-2332 banquet

r-382 r-383

2495

r-2333 Japanese cypress

r-380 r-381

2376

r-2334 rubbish
poppy seed
mustard

dirt; trash

old pure groups | 167

r-486 r-487

r-2335 2468
small dining table on tray

r-502 r-503

2466

r-2336 prostate

r-458 r-459

2264

r-2337 religious mendicancy

r-318 r-319

2447

r-2338 exposure

r-306 r-307

2677

r-2339 wisdom; sagacity
used in names
used in names
used in names
used in names

168 | remembering the kanji 3 used in names
used in names
@

r-296 r-297

2602

r-2340 stipend; salary
used in names
used in names
used in names

used in names

r-460 r-461

2971

r-2341 insubordination
stalwart
舘

r-496 r-497

2557

r-2342 the Loochoo islands

r-534 r-535

2532

r-2343 Japanese star anise

pure groups | 169

r-114 r-115 r-116 r-117 r-118 r-119 r-120 r-121

r-2344 2459
anus
nb: When this group was introduced in vol. 2, it was noted
that the primitive element must occupy a prominent place in
order to serve as a signal primitive.

We conclude this chapter with three pure groups using kanji that appeared in
vol. 2 only as primitives. This is indicated by a downward arrow (Ÿ) in place of
the frame number.

Ÿ r-434 r-435 steamed bun (Chinese) 2998
2811
r-2345 eel 2100
r-2346 2359
r-2347 mandala
r-2348
spreading; diffusion
vine; tendril

170 | remembering the kanji 3

Ÿ r-293 r-294 r-295

r-2349 overseas Chinese 2120
r-2350 2104
tall tree
r-2351 tall 2369
used in names
used in names

buckwheat noodles

chapter 8

New Pure Groups

This chapter introduces new primitive groups, based on signal
primitives that were not introduced as such in vol. 2. As before, a
small frame will be set at the head of each group to indicate the signal
primitive, reading, and kanji from vol. 2 that belong to this group.

In most cases, the reading of the kanji that will serve here as a sig-
nal primitive has already been learned, and in that case the reference
to the frame in vol. 2 where the reading was introduced will appear
under the signal primitive.

As in the previous chapter, an arrow (Ÿ) below a signal primi-
tive will indicate that it is in fact a kanji introduced in this volume.
Where there is no arrow or frame number, the signal primitive has
not been learned as a kanji. For further information on the layout of
the frames, see page 8.

We may begin with groups based on kanji whose principal on-yomi
has already been learned. Since the majority of the signal primitives
have already been included in vol. 2, most of these groups will be
small, often with only one new reading to learn.

r-1946 mountain ridge 2610
corner 2136
r-2352 used in names
used in names
r-2353
excel; surpass
endure; bear

172 | remembering the kanji 3 2225
r-2354
r-2355 high and overtowering

2668

city in Kagawa Prefecture
used in names

Ÿ r-574 Zen meditation 2844
sit 2845
r-2356
r-2357 sprain

Ÿ r-1052 2253

r-2358 anthology
r-2359 pick out; select

2861

southeast direction
southeast (dragon-snake)
used in names
used in names

new pure groups | 173

  2787

r-555 interrogation of a criminal
ball; used in names
r-2360 to follow; used in names
used in names
r-2361
2753
r-1689
shed for storing rice malt
r-2362 malted rice
r-2363
football 2742
r-1815 to kick 2834

r-2364 eagle
r-2365
2230

town near Kyoto

2559

shining white (of stones)
to polish (stones)

174 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1977 overpass 2744
straddle 2626
r-2366
hakama skirt
r-2367

9

r-2067

r-2368 oyster 2697
r-2369 2595
grindstone
to polish
whet; sharpen

r-2229 filtering saké 2304
a filter 2839
r-2370 to strain; filter
make paper
r-2371
foot of a mountain
foothills

new pure groups | 175

r-1151 2515

r-2372 birchbark-type torch
r-2373 ( ) birch

2160

quarrel

r-1817 2689

r-2374 shrimp
r-2375
2779

smoke and mist; scenic views
be hazy; grow dim
haze; mist

r-826 perceive; grasp 2613
peep; spy on 2527
r-2376 a guess; an inquiry

r-2377 zelkova tree
zelkova tree

176 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1883 Australia 2306
moat 2186
r-2378
air-raid shelter
r-2379 ditch; trench

:

r-1993

r-2380 itching 2252
to scratch 2681

r-2381 rise early
flea
;
2577
r-1670
slender body; thin build
r-2382 be sunken; be hollow
lose weight

2068

r-2383 one ship
ship

new pure groups | 177

r-1638 jewel; used in names 2565
used in names 2538
r-2384
r-2385 moxa cautery

r-1642 iron hammer 2477
hammer 2769
r-2386
r-2387 iron hammer

r-1220 2759

r-2388 indentation; saw-toothed
r-2389 a saw

2624
hem

178 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1903 weirdly beautiful 2133
tremendous; awesome 2496
r-2390
r-2391 co-habitation
live; dwell

Ÿ r-1730 2872

r-2392 Mencius
used in names
used in names

r-30 2415

r-2393 detour

Ÿ r-1964 2919

r-2394 Chancellor
go forwards; advance
used in names
used in names

new pure groups | 179

r-1098 2752

r-2395 noodles

r-1871 2512

r-2396 raw cotton
cotton
<
2556
r-1750
infant’s “Mongolian spot”
r-2397 spots; patches; streaks

r-989 2408

r-2398 with a smile
kind of rush; used in names
r-874
2422
r-2399
humility
to be humble

180 | remembering the kanji 3 2363

= studying Western science in
the Dutch language
r-1935

r-2400

r-1950 2597

r-2401 defense
ward off

r-1660 2540

r-2402 agitation; demagoguery
fan the flames
incite; instigate

r-1859 2207

r-2403 frolicking
happy
rejoice; enjoy
used in names

new pure groups | 181

r-1931 2374

r-2404 shady nook
shade; shadow
r-1790
2284
r-2405
gushing out
r-2219 gush up

r-2406 2128

r-2046 mercenary soldier
to employ
r-2407
2300
r-961
starch
r-2408 dregs; sediment
stagnate

2504

flogging; caning
cane; walking stick

182 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1857 2187

r-2409 dirt; filth
immaculate; undefiled
Ÿ r-1617 stain

r-2410 2637

Ÿ r-2010 old name for northwest part of
Fukuoka prefecture
r-2411
2092
Ÿ r-2215
decapitation
r-2412 cut down; behead

r-2132 2908

r-2413 splendid; distinguished

2627

sliding door or screen

new pure groups | 183

r-1809 2725

r-2414 to say
reason; grounds
r-1818
2958
r-2415
flabbergasted
r-1572
2682
r-2416
walking sideways
r-1849 crab

r-2417 2257

r-1828 disturbance; turbulence

r-2418 2719

friendship; amity
goodwill; friendly relations
used in names

184 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1673 2518

r-2419 packing; crating
a bale; package
r-1669
2641
r-2420
compilation; editing
r-1740
2711
r-2421
hymn; song of praise
Ÿ r-1756 give praise to

r-2422 2791

r-1568 around; about
time; about
r-2423
2129

recall; reminisce

new pure groups | 185

r-1819 2345
lion
r-2424
2525
r-718
parishoner of a temple
r-2425 ebony
spindle tree
Ÿ r-1767
2879
r-2426
peregrine falcon
r-1845 used in names

r-2427 2434

pardon; forgiveness
sanction; pardon
used in names
used in names
used in names
used in names
used in names

186 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1558 2756

r-2428 small hand scoop
a plow; spade
r-1923
2202
r-2429
jealousy; envy
> be jealous
to envy
r-1907
2461
r-2430
at one’s knees or feet
r-2095 knee; lap

r-2431 2925

a fragrance; used in names
smell fragrant
used in names
used in names
used in names

new pure groups | 187

r-1723 2191

r-2432 dam; weir
dam; sluice
r-19 r-1780
2316
r-2433 neglect to call on or write to

r-827 2566

r-2434 Eiko (woman’s name)

r-1944 2305

r-2435 in a state near death

r-1096 2437

r-2436 vague; ambiguous

188 | remembering the kanji 3

r-1149 2652

r-2437 chaff and bran; poverty
rice bran
r-1569
2713
r-2438
interrogation
r-1990 to question

r-2439 2309

Ÿ r-1585 harbor

r-2440 2915

r-1385 rose of Sharon; althea
used in names
r-2441 used in names
used in names

2227

precipice
cliff; bluff

new pure groups | 189

In the following groups, note that the signal primitive must stand in a domi-
nant position—alone and to the right.

Ÿ r-2210 2103

r-2442 tell fortunes
to tell one’s fortune
?
2301
r-2443
inundation; flood

r-1573 2341

r-2444 long-nosed goblin
small dog

r-1674 lymph gland 2310
lonely 2554
r-2445
r-2446 Taoist temple

190 | remembering the kanji 3

There are several new groups formed by picking up characters that were for-
merly part of pure or mixed groups. We take up these next.

r-863 r-864

2498

r-2447 stoppage; blockage
Chinese bellflower

r-865 2783

r-2448 teacher’s rod
whip

r-866 r-867

r-2449 2853
criminal offence
to fear
This character was part of a semi-pure group in vol. 2 but can
best be learned here as a new group.

r-1373 2357

r-2450 debauchee; libertine
be bewitched; be captivated

new pure groups | 191

This character was part of a mixed group in vol. 2, but can
best be learned here as a new group.

r-1913 2235

r-2451 licensed quarters
licensed quarters

Ÿ neglect to call or write 2296
sand 2701
r-2452
monk’s surplice
r-2453

髀 

r-868

2048

r-2454 lapis lazuli

r-663 2661

r-2455 a band
string

192 | remembering the kanji 3

r-820 2611

r-2456 dilute
rare; uncommon
rare

Ÿ r-916

2451

r-2457 coma

A

r-898

2531

r-2458 ellipse

r-584

r-2459 2178
r-2460 song praising Buddhist virtues

2340

panic

new pure groups | 193

r-1696 happy 2119
testicles 2929
r-2461
r-2462

r-1672 2360

r-2463 lotus root
lotus
lotus

We conclude this chapter with entirely new pure groups—that is, those for
whom neither the signal primitive nor any member of the group was intro-
duced in vol. 2. The number of these groups is small and should not cause
much difficulty. Naturally, here the signal primitives stand alone in their small
frames.

Ÿ rumination 2084
2086
r-2464 geotropism
r-2465 head towards