1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 桜 is "cherry tree" or "cherry blossom." It represents one of the most iconic symbols of Japan, embodying themes of beauty, transience, and the arrival of spring.
Common Reading and Words:
さくら (sakura): The native Japanese reading.
桜 (sakura): Cherry tree, cherry blossom.
桜色 (sakura-iro): Cherry blossom color (a light pink).
桜前線 (sakura-zensen): The cherry blossom front (the forecast of blooming across Japan).
お花見 (ohanami): Cherry blossom viewing party.
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 桜 correctly is essential for balance. The kanji is the modern simplified form (新字体 shinjitai) of the traditional character 櫻. It is composed of the left radical 木 (ki) and the right component 婴 (akachan) in its simplified form.
Total Strokes: 10
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Left Radical: 木 (Ki-hen - Tree)
Stroke 1: Horizontal stroke (横).
Stroke 2: Vertical stroke (竖) through the center.
Stroke 3: Left-falling stroke (撇).
Stroke 4: Right-dot stroke (捺). Note: The "tree" radical is written completely before moving to the right side.
Right Component:
Stroke 5: The short left-falling stroke (撇) from the top.
Stroke 6: The horizontal stroke (横) below it.
Stroke 7: The second short horizontal stroke (横).
Stroke 8: The left-falling stroke (撇) from the center.
Stroke 9: The right-dot stroke (捺) for balance.
Stroke 10: The final short horizontal stroke (横) at the very bottom.
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Left to Right: The entire left radical 木 is written before the right component.
Top to Bottom: This rule governs the order within the right component.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 桜 is fascinating. The modern form 桜 is a simplification, so to understand its origin, we look at its traditional form: 櫻.
The character 櫻 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji) or phonetic-ideographic compound.
Let's break down the components of 櫻:
Semantic Component (Meaning): 木 (Ki)
This radical means "tree." Its presence immediately tells us that the character is a type of tree.
Phonetic Component (Sound): 嬰 (Ei/Akakan)
This component provided the ancient Chinese pronunciation. However, 嬰 itself is meaningful. It is composed of 貝 (kai - shell/symbol of value) and 女 (onna - woman), and its core meaning is "to encircle" or "necklace." It evokes an image of something precious and adorned, like a woman wearing a necklace of valuable shells.
The Combined Meaning and Evolution:
The name for the cherry tree was likely originally a Japanese word, sakura. The Chinese then created a character for it by:
Using the 木 (tree) radical for its meaning.
Using 嬰 for its sound, which was somewhat similar to the old Japanese pronunciation.
The imagery is also beautifully apt. A cherry tree in full bloom appears as if it is "adorned" with a magnificent "necklace" of beautiful, precious flowers. The simplified form 桜 retains this essential structure while being much easier to write.
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the use of 桜.
Basic Meaning:
Romaji: Sakura ga sakimashita.
English: The cherry blossoms have bloomed.
桜が咲きました。
Cultural Context:
Romaji: Raishū, tomodachi to ohanami ni ikimasu.
English: I'm going cherry blossom viewing with my friends next week.
来週、友達とお花見に行きます。
Descriptive Context:
Romaji: Kōen ga sakura-iro ni somatta.
English: The park was tinted cherry blossom pink.
公園が桜色に染まった。
Summary
Meaning: Cherry tree, cherry blossom.
Writing: 10 strokes. Write the left "tree" radical 木 first, then the simplified right component.
Origin: A simplified form of 櫻, a phonetic-ideographic compound. It combines 木 (tree) with a phonetic component 嬰 that meant "to encircle" or "adorn," creating the image of a "tree adorned with a necklace of precious blooms." This character perfectly captures the breathtaking beauty and cultural significance of the cherry blossom in Japan.