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June 12, 2025

Kanji Symbol for Water: Origins, Meaning, and Writing Guide

Kanji Symbol for Water: Origins, Meaning, and Writing Guide

by Takuya T ┃ Japanese Calligrapher / Wednesday, 09 November 2022 / Published in Free Fonts, Japanese Culture, Japanese Language
Kanji for Water

 The Origin of Water in Kanji Characters

The Kanji symbol for water depicts the appearance of the flow of water.

There is a large stream in the middle and smaller streams on either side.

◆水

Hiragana Reading (Onyomi): Sui

Hiragana Reading (Kunyomi): Mizu

 

 

 Stroke order of the Kanji symbol for Water

The character for “water” should be written so that the vertical stroke of the first character is centered.

The second stroke should be slightly wider than the center stroke, and the third and fourth strokes should be slightly closer to the center stroke.

 

 Water in Kanji written with a Japanese brush

Kanji for Water Kanji for Water Kanji for Water

 

 

 Four-Character Kanji Phrases Containing ‘水’ (Water)

◆山紫水明【Sanshisuimei】

Hiragana Reading: さんしすいめい
Meaning: Describes the beauty of nature, where mountains look purple under sunlight and rivers appear clear and pristine.

 

◆行雲流水 (Kouunryuusui)

Hiragana Reading: こううんりゅうすい
Meaning: Indicates the lack of a fixed form and naturally changing state of things. Living freely and calmly, not being attached to worldly affairs.

 

◆明鏡止水 (Meikyoushisui)

Hiragana Reading: めいきょうしすい
Meaning: Represents a calm and clear state of mind, without any distracting thoughts.

 

◆鏡花水月 (Kyoukasuigetsu)

Hiragana Reading: きょうかすいげつ
Meaning: Describes something that can be seen but not touched, representing the ephemeral nature of things.

 

◆上善若水 (Jouzenjakusui)

Hiragana Reading: じょうぜんじゃくすい
Meaning: Suggests that the ideal way of life is to be like water, which nourishes without trying.

 

◆松風水月 (Shoufusuigetsu)

Hiragana Reading: しょうふうすいげつ
Meaning: Refers to the mindset of appreciating nature with a clear and calm heart. Also, describes someone with a refreshing and noble character.

 

◆水滴石穿 (suitekisekisen)

Hiragana Reading: すいてきせきせん
Meaning: Signifies that even if something seems impossible, with continuous effort and perseverance, you can achieve your goals.

 

 

 Summary of Water in Kanji

The kanji “water” is a difficult kanji to balance, but when balanced, it is a very beautiful, expressive, and attractive kanji.

The key is to be conscious of the flow of water and to write it in a connected manner.

 Other Kanji Introduction

Kanji Symbol for God

Kanji Symbol for Death

Kanji Symbol for Moon

 

  About Us

SANTEN Design is a company specializing in the production of brush lettering logos.

We specialize in the creation of flexible brush lettering logos to suit a variety of uses and requests.

We will be happy to provide you with quotations, consultations on various types of production,
and of course, detailed information on our achievements.
Please feel free to contact us for a quotation.

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About Takuya T ┃ Japanese Calligrapher

As a calligraphy designer with over a decade of experience, I have been involved in more than 1,000 projects. By respecting traditional techniques while incorporating modern sensibilities, I create unique works.

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