The Kanji: 督 (Toku)
The kanji 督 means "to supervise," "to urge," or "to command." It combines 叔 (harvest) with 目 (eye), originally depicting an overseer watching over workers. This character represents oversight and authoritative guidance.
Common Words & Example Sentences
1. 監督 (kantoku) - Director/supervisor
映画監督が演技を指導する。
"The film director instructs the acting."
2. 督促 (tokusoku) - Urging
料金の支払いを督促する。
"Urge payment of fees."
3. 総督 (sōtoku) - Governor-general
植民地の総督を務める。
"Serve as colonial governor-general."
4. 都督 (totoku) - Military governor
古代中国の都督が統治した。
"Military governors ruled in ancient China."
In summary, 督 describes authoritative oversight - from creative direction (監督) and payment pressure (督促) to colonial administration (総督) and military command (都督). It embodies hierarchical supervision in Japanese.