How to Write 創 (genesis, wound, injury, hurt, start) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) character 創 (“genesis, wound, injury, hurt, start”), indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. Practice 創 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 創る (つくる (tsukuru) — genesis), 創める (はじめる (hajimeru) — genesis).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (創)
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 6 (小学6年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, ショウ) when 創 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つく.る, はじ.める, きず, けず.しける) when 創 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 創 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 刀.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 創
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 創 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 創 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 創 ("genesis, wound, injury, hurt, start") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 6 (小学6年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical. At 12 strokes, 創 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 刀 (かたな / りっとう (sword)) radical (Right (Tsukuri / 旁) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 12 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 創?
For 創 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ソウ, ショウ and the Kunyomi is つく.る, はじ.める, きず, けず.しける. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ソウ, ショウ) when 創 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つく.る, はじ.める, きず, けず.しける) when 創 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 創 includes 創る (つくる (tsukuru) — genesis), 創める (はじめる (hajimeru) — genesis).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 創 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 創 (genesis, wound, injury, hurt, start), 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 創 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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