The Kanji: 子 (Ko/Shi) - The "Child" Kanji
The kanji "子" is one of the simplest and most fundamental characters. It primarily represents a "child," "infant," or "offspring," and is a crucial building block for many other kanji.
1. Meaning and Usage
Core Meanings: Child; infant; offspring; small thing; the first of the twelve Earthly Branches (Chinese Zodiac Rat).
Readings:
Kun'yomi (Japanese reading): こ (ko)
On'yomi (Chinese reading): シ (shi), ス (su)
Common Words and Compounds:
子 (こ / ko) - Child
子供 (こども / kodomo) - Child
女子 (じょし / joshi) - Girl; woman
男子 (だんし / danshi) - Boy; man
椅子 (いす / isu) - Chair (The 子 here acts as a phonetic component, "su")
原子 (げんし / genshi) - Atom (Original child)
2. Writing and Stroke Order: A Simple and Stable Form
The correct kanji writing for "子" is very simple, but its specific stroke order is essential for achieving a balanced and correct form. It consists of only three strokes.
Stroke Order:
Stroke 1: A horizontal折 (or) stroke. This is a single, fluid motion:
Start with a very short horizontal line.
Then turn sharply downward into a hook. This forms the head and arms of the child.
Stroke 2: A long, horizontal stroke from left to right. This is the outstretched arms of the child.
Stroke 3: A long, horizontal stroke from left to right. This is the outstretched arms of the child.
Significance of Correct Kanji Writing:
Proportions: The key to writing "子" correctly is the proportion of the strokes. The first stroke (the hook) should be compact, while the second stroke (the horizontal line) should be long and stable, forming a solid base for the character. This gives the character a "stable" feeling, like a child sitting firmly.
Distinguishing from Similar Kanji: Mastering this stroke order and proportion helps distinguish "子" from other similar characters, like 了 (which is completed/finished).
Foundation as a Radical: "子" is the "child" radical (こへん, kohen). When it appears as a component in other kanji, it often relates to children, birth, or small things (e.g., 学 - study, 字 - character, 孫 - grandchild). Learning its correct form is therefore crucial.
3. Historical Origin and Evolution
The history of "子" is a clear and charming example of a pictogram evolving into a simple symbol.
Oracle Bone Script (甲骨文字):
The earliest form was a vivid pictogram of an infant with its arms outstretched. It clearly depicted a large head (a distinctive feature of a baby) and two outstretched arms, often without detailed legs, emphasizing the child's need to be held.
Bronze Script (金文) & Seal Script (篆書):
The form became more stylized. The large head was sometimes simplified, and the body and arms were represented by more symbolic lines. However, the image of a child with outstretched arms remained recognizable.
Modern Form (楷書):
The modern "子" is a clean and minimalist abstraction. The original pictograph of a baby has been perfectly standardized into just two strokes:
The first stroke (the hook) represents the head and the body of the child.
The second stroke (the long horizontal) represents the outstretched arms.
The character has retained the core idea of a child but in a highly efficient and symbolic form.
Cultural and Philosophical Connection:
"子" holds a place of great importance beyond its literal meaning.
The Chinese Zodiac: It is the first of the twelve Earthly Branches (十二支, jūnishi) and represents the Rat. The time of the Rat is 11 PM to 1 AM, considered the time when new life (the new day) is born.
Confucian Values: In Confucian philosophy, which deeply influenced Japanese culture, children and the continuation of the family line are of utmost importance. The character embodies the concepts of heritage, legacy, and the future.
Affection and Smallness: The reading "ko" is also used as an affectionate suffix, often in female names (e.g., 奈央子 - Naoko). It can also denote a small or cute version of something.
Summary
The kanji "子" is a character of simplicity and profound meaning. It began as a literal drawing of a baby with outstretched arms and evolved into one of the most efficient and essential symbols in the Japanese writing system. Mastering its stroke order is one of the first and most important steps in Japanese kanji writing, as it is a common radical and a high-frequency character. When you learn how to write kanji like "子," you are not just learning a word for "child"; you are learning a symbol that represents the beginning of life, the future, and the foundation of the family, all while connecting to the ancient cyclical timekeeping of the Zodiac.
