How to Write 鼓 (drum, beat, rouse, muster) — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 13-stroke writing sequence of the JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) character 鼓 (“drum, beat, rouse, muster”), indexed under the 鼓 (つづみ (drum)) radical. Practice 鼓 alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as 鼓 (つづみ (tsuzumi) — drum).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (鼓)
Primary Radical (部首): 鼓 — つづみ (drum)
Radical Position: Standalone / Integrated (部首)
Semantic Theme: Radical 鼓
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生) (JLPT N1). Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 鼓 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つづみ) when 鼓 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (13画): At 13 strokes, 鼓 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鼓 (つづみ (drum)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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: 鼓 (つづみ (drum))
Standard Jouyou kanji written with 13 strokes under radical 鼓.
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using 鼓
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji 鼓 (FAQ)
How many strokes are in 鼓 and how is it structured?
The Japanese character 鼓 ("drum, beat, rouse, muster") is written with 13 strokes (13画) as a JLPT N1 (Kyōiku Kanji Grade 8 (小学8年生)) high-density multi-component Kanji (12+ strokes) indexed under the 鼓 (つづみ (drum)) radical. At 13 strokes, 鼓 is a high-density Kanji where compact internal spacing prevents visual crowding. Keep the 鼓 (つづみ (drum)) radical (Standalone / Integrated 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 鼓?
For 鼓 (JLPT N1), the Onyomi is コ and the Kunyomi is つづみ. Use the Sino-Japanese Onyomi (コ) when 鼓 combines with other Kanji in multi-character Jukugo compounds, and use the native Japanese Kunyomi (つづみ) when 鼓 appears as a standalone noun or with Hiragana okurigana endings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using 鼓 includes 鼓 (つづみ (tsuzumi) — drum).
What is the stroke order rule for writing 鼓 on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 13 strokes of 鼓 (drum, beat, rouse, muster), start with the 鼓 (つづみ (drum)) in the Standalone / Integrated (部首) 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 鼓 interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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