Kanji: 杉 (Cedar/Cryptomeria)
The kanji 杉 specifically refers to the "Japanese cedar" or "cryptomeria" (Cryptomeria japonica), a tall evergreen tree native to Japan. It is a culturally significant tree, often planted in temples and shrines.
Key Reading:
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading): すぎ (sugi)
On-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading): サン (san)
Common Words & Usage:
杉 (sugi) - Noun. Japanese cedar.
杉並木 (suginamiki) - Noun. A row of cedar trees.
杉材 (sugizai) - Noun. Cedar wood.
杉原 (Sugihara) - Proper Noun. A Japanese surname.
Example Sentence:
Japanese: この神社は美しい杉の木に囲まれている。
Romaji: Kono jinja wa utsukushii sugi no ki ni kakomarete iru.
English: This shrine is surrounded by beautiful cedar trees.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 杉 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.