How to Write 剣 (sabre, sword, blade, clock hand) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 10-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 剣 (“sabre, sword, blade, clock hand”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 剣 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 剣 (つるぎ (tsurugi) — sabre).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (剣)
Primary Radical (部首): 刀 — かたな / りっとう (sword)
Radical Position: Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri))
Semantic Theme: Knives, swords, cutting, dividing, and sharpness
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 剣 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つるぎ) when 剣 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (10画): Written with 10 strokes, 剣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 刀 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 10 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 剣
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 剣 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 剣 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 剣 ("sabre, sword, blade, clock hand") is written with 10 strokes (10画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Written with 10 strokes, 剣 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position). Establish the 刀 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 8 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 剣?
For 剣 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ケン and the Kunyomi is つるぎ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ケン) when 剣 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つるぎ) when 剣 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 剣 includes 剣 (つるぎ (tsurugi) — sabre).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 剣 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 10 strokes of 剣 (sabre, sword, blade, clock hand), start with the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) in the Right (Tsukuri / 旁) (旁 (Tsukuri)) position and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice 剣 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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