The Kanji: 今 (Ima/Kon) - The "Now" Kanji
The kanji "今" is a deceptively simple character that represents the concept of "now," "the present," and "current." It is one of the most fundamental time-related characters in Japanese.
1. Meaning and Usage
Core Meanings: Now; the present; current; this.
Readings:
Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): いま (ima)
On'yomi (Chinese reading): コン (kon), キン (kin)
Common Words and Compounds:
今 (いま / ima) - Now
今日 (きょう / kyō) - Today (This day)
今月 (こんげつ / kongetsu) - This month
今年 (ことし / kotoshi) - This year
今週 (こんしゅう / konshū) - This week
2. Writing and Stroke Order: Capturing the Present Moment
The correct kanji writing for "今" is crucial as it appears frequently. Its stroke order is simple but must be precise to achieve the proper balance.
Stroke Order:
Stroke 1: A short left-falling stroke.
Stroke 2: A short right-falling stroke, crossing the first stroke to form an inverted "V" or "A" shape at the top.
Stroke 3: A long horizontal stroke underneath the "A" shape, providing a stable base.
Stroke 4: A final horizontal折 (or) stroke. Start with a very short horizontal line, then turn sharply downward into a hook that curves slightly to the left.
Significance of Correct Kanji Writing:
Balance and Proportion: The top "A" shape should be centered over the long horizontal stroke. The final hook should be centered and extend below the horizontal, giving the character a stable, grounded appearance.
Distinguishing Feature: The unique combination of the "A" shape on top and the single stroke with a hook on the bottom is what makes "今" instantly recognizable.
Foundation for Speed: This efficient stroke order allows the character to be written quickly and fluidly, which is essential for a word used as commonly as "now."
3. Historical Origin and Evolution
The history of "今" is fascinating because its original meaning is the opposite of its modern one, showing a complete conceptual flip.
Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文字):
The original character was a pictograph of a "buckle" or "clasp" used to fasten something shut. It depicted a specific type of ancient clasp that would lock something in place, symbolizing the idea of "to seal" or "to conclude."
Bronze Script (金文) & Seal Script (篆書):
The form became more stylized, but the depiction of the clasp or a covering object remained clear. The character was used to represent the idea of something being "finished" or "brought to a close."
Modern Form (楷書):
The modern "今" is a complete abstraction. The shape of the ancient clasp has been stylized into the four strokes we recognize today. The original meaning of "to conclude" or "to seal" has been lost, and the character underwent a remarkable semantic shift.
Philosophical and Conceptual Connection:
The most intriguing aspect of "今" is its meaning reversal. How did a character for "to conclude" become the word for "now"?
Linguists suggest that in ancient Chinese, the word for "now" might have been a homophone (sounding the same) with the word for this "clasp." Through the rebus principle (using a symbol to represent a sound), the character was borrowed to write the unrelated word "ima" (now). The original meaning of "clasp" was eventually lost, and "今" became permanently associated with the present moment.
This makes "今" a powerful symbol of the present—a moment that is both fleeting and, in a sense, "locked in place" before it immediately becomes the past.
Summary
The kanji "今" is a character with a hidden and surprising history. It began as a drawing of a clasp used to seal or conclude something and, through a linguistic shift, transformed into the universal symbol for "now." Mastering its stroke order is a fundamental step in Japanese kanji writing, as it is an extremely common character. When you learn how to write kanji like "今," you are not just learning a word for the present moment; you are learning a character that embodies the fluid nature of language itself, where symbols can travel through time and completely reinvent their meaning.