How to Write 茨 (briar, thorn) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 9-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 茨 (“briar, thorn”), indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Practice 茨 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 茨 (いばら (ibara) — briar), 茨 (かや (kaya) — briar).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (茨)
Primary Radical (部首): 艸 — くさかんむり (grass)
Radical Position: Top (Kanmuri / 冠) (冠 (Kanmuri))
Semantic Theme: Herbs, grass, flowers, vegetation, and botanical life
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ, ジ) when 茨 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いばら, かや, くさぶき) when 茨 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (9画): Written with 9 strokes, 茨 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 艸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 艸 (くさかんむり (grass))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 9 strokes under radical 艸.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 茨
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 茨 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 茨 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 茨 ("briar, thorn") is written with 9 strokes (9画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) intermediate multi-component Kanji (6–11 strokes) indexed under the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical. Written with 9 strokes, 茨 is an intermediate multi-component character built around the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) radical (Top (Kanmuri / 冠) position). Establish the 艸 component first in its quadrant so the remaining 7 strokes maintain balanced left-right or top-bottom proportions.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 茨?
For 茨 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is シ, ジ and the Kunyomi is いばら, かや, くさぶき. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (シ, ジ) when 茨 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (いばら, かや, くさぶき) when 茨 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 茨 includes 茨 (いばら (ibara) — briar), 茨 (かや (kaya) — briar).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 茨 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 9 strokes of 茨 (briar, thorn), start with the 艸 (くさかんむり (grass)) 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 茨 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
More JLPT N1 Characters to Practice Next
View Full JLPT N1 Kanji List →Unlock All 2,000+ JLPT N5–N1 Kanji, AI Sensei & Unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF Books
Get lifetime access to all 2,136 Jōyō Kanji (JLPT N5–N1), AI Kanji Sensei mnemonics, and unlimited Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheets for a one-time payment of $17.99 USD (10% OFF the $19.99 Lifetime Pro Pass with promo code KANJI10). Zero monthly subscriptions!