The Kanji: 五 (Itsu-/Go) - The "Five" Kanji
1. Meaning and Usage
Core Meaning: Five
Readings:
Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): いつ (itsu-), いつ.つ (itsu.tsu)
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ゴ (go)
Common Words and Compounds:
五つ (いつつ / itsutsu) - Five things
五月 (ごがつ / gogatsu) - May (The fifth month)
五人 (ごにん / gonin) - Five people
五角形 (ごかくけい / gokakukei) - Pentagon (Five-sided shape)
十五 (じゅうご / jūgo) - Fifteen
2. Writing and Stroke Order: The Crossed Lines
The correct kanji writing for "五" introduces a more complex structure than the previous numbers. Its stroke order follows a logical sequence that builds stability.
Stroke Order:
Stroke 1: A short horizontal stroke from left to right.
Stroke 2: A short vertical折 (or) stroke. Start with a very short horizontal line, then turn sharply downward.
Stroke 3: A long horizontal stroke from left to right, forming the main base of the character.
Stroke 4: A vertical stroke that cuts through the center of the long horizontal.
Significance of Correct Kanji Writing:
Balance and Structure: The character has a wide, stable base (Stroke 3) that supports the upper elements. The final vertical stroke (4) acts as a central axis, balancing the character.
Proportions: The top horizontal (1) should be shorter than the bottom horizontal (3), creating a trapezoidal shape that gives the character visual stability.
Foundation: This character teaches how to manage intersecting strokes and create balanced, compact forms - essential skills for more complex kanji.
3. Historical Origin and Evolution
The history of "五" shows the transition from simple tally marks to more sophisticated symbolic representation.
Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文字):
The earliest form was an "X" shape, sometimes with horizontal lines above and below. This represented the intersection of two counting rods, a practical method for counting to five.
Bronze Script (金文) & Seal Script (篆書):
The form evolved into a more structured shape, with the "X" becoming enclosed between two horizontal lines. This created a more formal, standardized appearance while maintaining the crossed-rod concept.
Modern Form (楷書):
The modern "五" is a clean abstraction of its ancient forms. The crossed rods have evolved into the central vertical stroke, while the horizontal lines have been standardized into the three horizontal strokes we see today. The character successfully preserves the concept of "five" while achieving an elegant, balanced form.
Cultural Connection:
In Japanese culture, the number five (五) holds significant meaning:
Five Elements: In traditional philosophy, the 五大 (godai) or Five Great Elements are: Earth (地), Water (水), Fire (火), Wind (風), and Void (空).
Sacred Mountains: Japan has several important groupings of five, such as the 五山 (Gozan) system of Zen temples.
Lucky Number: Unlike four, five is generally considered a positive number, representing balance and the five senses.
The character's avoidance of four horizontal lines (which would resemble the abandoned "亖" form for four) shows the thoughtful evolution of the numerical kanji system.
Summary
The kanji "五" represents a sophisticated evolution in numerical characters, moving from simple tally marks to a balanced, symbolic form. Mastering its stroke order teaches important principles of kanji structure and balance. When you learn how to write kanji like "五," you're not just learning a number - you're learning a character that embodies cultural significance and mathematical elegance, bridging practical counting with philosophical concepts that have endured for millennia.