斑

spot, speck; unevenness

Kanji 2098

This essay will make you dotty about all things spotted! With 斑 we can describe everything from polka-dotted species (including humans, with their birthmarks and freckles!) to rocks (e.g., those that the Japanese use in barbecues). The same character means "unevenness," and the essay shows how these disparate meanings connect. Great photos and fun quizzes!

Revision history:

Oct. 6, 2022:

• p. 3: Added that we can read the keyword in the sample sentence as まだら.
• p. 4: Added these comments about the sample sentence: “We can read the keyword as まだら or ぶち. Dictionaries say that one should use ぶち mainly for the pattern on an animal’s body.”

June 9, 2021: 

• pp. 1 and 2: Rewrote the text a bit because it referred to a definition of 斑 on a site that no longer defines the kanji that way.
• p. 2: Updated the Henshall etymology.
• p. 12: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

Sept. 7, 2012: Originally published.