CHARACTER HOME PAGE

lonely; desolate; quiet
Kanji 1345

Thank you for visiting this Character Home Page. Below you'll find a synopsis of the essay. If you wish to read the full text, the PDF of the essay is available for purchase to the right.

Synopsis

Find out how to say everything from “I miss you a lot” and “The land became terribly desolate” to “A scream broke the silence,” “The patina creates a nice ambiance,” and “This temple garden has an elegant simplicity that is indescribable.” See why author Ryu Murakami said that Japan has become lonelier than ever, and learn what Japanese people think about wabi-sabi.

Note: This kanji plays an important role in a Thematic Explorations essay called "The Relationship Between 'M' and 'B.'"

Revision history:

Oct. 31, 2024: p. 8 sidebar: Updated the Wikipedia quotation to match changes (to italicization and grammar) that must have occurred on Wikipedia at some point.

May 25, 2021:

  • p. 2: Updated the Henshall etymology.
  • p. 8 sidebar: Changed 孤高 to 枯高.
  • p. 11: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Oct. 19, 2018: Originally published.

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Kanji PDF
Cover of essay 1345 on 寂 (lonely), titled "Only the Lonely"
Mini Profile
JOYO ON-YOMI
ジャク, セキ
JOYO KUN-YOMI
さび, さび-しい, さび-れる
STROKES11
RADICAL宀 (40: katakana u)
JLPTN1
HALPERN1472/1982
HENSHALL1345/1438
SPAHN3m8.2