How to Write 笹 (bamboo grass, (kokuji)) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 11-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) character 笹 (“bamboo grass, (kokuji)”), indexed under the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical. Practice 笹 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 笹 (ささ (sasa) — bamboo grass).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (笹)
Primary Radical (部首): 竹 — たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Bamboo, flutes, scrolls, baskets, and writing brushes
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生) (JLPT N1). 笹 is predominantly read with its native Japanese Kunyomi (ささ) in everyday vocabulary and inflected words.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (11画): Written with 11 strokes, 笹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 竹 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 11 strokes under radical 竹.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 笹
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 笹 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 笹 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 笹 ("bamboo grass, (kokuji)") is written with 11 strokes (11画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 9 (小学9年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical. Written with 11 strokes, 笹 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 竹 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 9 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 笹?
For 笹 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is — and the Kunyomi is ささ. 笹 is predominantly read with its native Japanese Kunyomi (ささ) in everyday vocabulary and inflected words. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 笹 includes 笹 (ささ (sasa) — bamboo grass).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 笹 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 11 strokes of 笹 (bamboo grass, (kokuji)), start with the 竹 (たけ / たけかんむり (bamboo)) in the Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri)) 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 笹 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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