The Kanji: 月 (Tsuki/Gatsu) - The "Moon" and "Month" Kanji
The kanji 月 is a foundational character that primarily represents the "moon." By extension, due to the lunar calendar's historical importance, it also means "month."
1. Meaning and Usage
Core Meanings: Moon; Month.
Readings:
Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): つき (tsuki)
On'yomi (Chinese reading): ゲツ (getsu), ガツ (gatsu)
Common Words and Compounds:
月 (つき / tsuki) - Moon.
一月 (いちがつ / ichigatsu) - January (The first month).
月曜日 (げつようび / getsuyōbi) - Monday (Day of the Moon).
今月 (こんげつ / kongetsu) - This month.
月光 (げっこう / gekkō) - Moonlight.
2. Writing and Stroke Order: A Slender and Elegant Form
The correct kanji writing for "月" is crucial as it introduces a common, slender enclosure shape.
Stroke Order:
Stroke 1: Left vertical stroke. Write from top to bottom. This stroke is perfectly vertical or has a very slight outward curve.
Stroke 2: Top horizontal and right vertical stroke in one fluid motion. Start at the top-left, go right to form the top, then turn down to form the right side. The right vertical often has a slight hook at the end.
Stroke 3: Top inner horizontal stroke, from left to right.
Stroke 4: Bottom inner horizontal stroke, from left to right.
Significance of Correct Kanji Writing:
Proportions: "月" is a character that should be taller than it is wide. Writing it too wide is a common mistake. Its slender form is key to its elegance.
The Enclosure Rule: Like "日", it follows the rule of creating the outer enclosure first (strokes 1 & 2) before filling in the contents (strokes 3 & 4).
Distinguishing from "日": The two inner strokes in "月" usually touch the right vertical stroke, whereas in "日", the middle stroke often does not. This is a key detail for correct kanji writing and character recognition.
3. Historical Origin and Evolution
The history of "月" is a clear and beautiful example of a pictogram evolving into a stylized symbol.
Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文字):
The earliest form was a vivid pictogram of a crescent moon. It clearly depicted the thin, curved shape of a moon that is not full, often with a small mark inside to distinguish it from the character for "sun" (日), which was a circle.
Bronze Script (金文) & Seal Script (篆書):
The crescent shape became more stylized and angular. To make it easier to carve and write, the curved lines began to straighten. The mark inside the crescent became more defined, evolving into the short horizontal lines we see today.
Modern Form (楷書):
The modern "月" has fully straightened the original crescent into a vertical rectangle. However, the memory of the crescent is often preserved in calligraphy by making the left vertical stroke slightly curved outward and the right vertical slightly curved inward, maintaining the slender, elegant silhouette of the moon. The two internal strokes are the legacy of the mark inside the original crescent.
Cultural and Conceptual Connection:
The dual meaning of "moon" and "month" is a direct reflection of ancient timekeeping. Many calendars, including the traditional Japanese calendar, were based on the cycles of the moon. One complete cycle of the moon's phases (from new moon to new moon) defined one month. This is why all the month names in Japanese (一月, 二月, etc.) use this kanji. It forever links the celestial body to the measurement of time.
Summary
The kanji 月 is a perfect example of how language, nature, and time are intertwined. It started as a simple drawing of a crescent moon and evolved into the elegant, slender character used today. Mastering its stroke order and slender proportions is a fundamental skill in Japanese kanji writing. When you learn how to write kanji like "月," you are not just learning a character; you are learning a piece of cultural history that connects the silent orbit of the moon to the rhythm of our calendars and daily lives.