How to Write 楠 (camphor tree) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 楠 (“camphor tree”), indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. Practice 楠 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 楠 (くす (kusu) — camphor tree), 楠 (くすのき (kusunoki) — camphor tree).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (楠)
Primary Radical (部首): 木 — き / きへん (tree)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Trees, plants, wooden artifacts, and forest nature
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナン, ダン, ゼン, ネン) when 楠 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くす, くすのき) when 楠 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 楠 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 木 (き / きへん (tree))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 木.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 楠
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 楠 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 楠 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 楠 ("camphor tree") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical. At 13 strokes, 楠 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 13 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 楠?
For 楠 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is ナン, ダン, ゼン, ネン and the Kunyomi is くす, くすのき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (ナン, ダン, ゼン, ネン) when 楠 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (くす, くすのき) when 楠 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 楠 includes 楠 (くす (kusu) — camphor tree), 楠 (くすのき (kusunoki) — camphor tree).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 楠 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 楠 (camphor tree), start with the 木 (き / きへん (tree)) 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 楠 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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