How to Write 握 (grip, hold, mould sushi, bribe) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 12-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 握 (“grip, hold, mould sushi, bribe”), indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. Practice 握 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 握る (にぎる (nigiru) — grip).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (握)
Primary Radical (部首): 手 — て / てへん (hand)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Hands, holding, grasping, craft, and manual action
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (アク) when 握 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (にぎ.る) when 握 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (12画): At 12 strokes, 握 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) 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: 手 (て / てへん (hand))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 12 strokes under radical 手.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 握
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 握 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 握 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 握 ("grip, hold, mould sushi, bribe") is written with 12 strokes (12画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical. At 12 strokes, 握 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) 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 握?
For 握 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is アク and the Kunyomi is にぎ.る. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (アク) when 握 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (にぎ.る) when 握 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 握 includes 握る (にぎる (nigiru) — grip).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 握 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 12 strokes of 握 (grip, hold, mould sushi, bribe), start with the 手 (て / てへん (hand)) in the Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen)) 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 握 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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