How to Write 鏡 (mirror, speculum, barrel-head, round rice-cake offering) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 19-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) character 鏡 (“mirror, speculum, barrel-head, round rice-cake offering”), indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. Practice 鏡 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 鏡 (かがみ (kagami) — mirror).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (鏡)
Primary Radical (部首): 金 — かね / かねへん (metal/gold)
Radical Position: Left (Hen / 偏) (偏 (Hen))
Semantic Theme: Metals, coins, bells, tools, and mineral wealth
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キョウ, ケイ) when 鏡 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かがみ) when 鏡 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (19画): At 19 strokes, 鏡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 19 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
Radical: 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 19 strokes under radical 金.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 鏡
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 鏡 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 鏡 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 鏡 ("mirror, speculum, barrel-head, round rice-cake offering") is written with 19 strokes (19画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 4 (小学4年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical. At 19 strokes, 鏡 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) radical (Left (Hen / 偏) position) slim and space internal horizontal strokes evenly so all 19 strokes fit inside the Genkō Yōshi margins.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for 鏡?
For 鏡 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is キョウ, ケイ and the Kunyomi is かがみ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (キョウ, ケイ) when 鏡 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (かがみ) when 鏡 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 鏡 includes 鏡 (かがみ (kagami) — mirror).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 鏡 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 19 strokes of 鏡 (mirror, speculum, barrel-head, round rice-cake offering), start with the 金 (かね / かねへん (metal/gold)) 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 鏡 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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