熊
bear
Kanji 1995
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.
See why the Japanese fear bears and how to prevent attacks. Find out why various bear names contain 月 (moon), 赤 (red), 白 (white), 灰色 (gray), 袋 (pouch), and 猫 (cat), while combining 熊 with 洗 (washing) or 穴 (hole) produces names of animals that aren’t even bears. Learn about Ainu rituals with bears, as well as the sacred Kumano region and an ancient people who may be mythical.
Revision history:
July 3 and 5, 2024: p. 9: Deleted the bit about how bear palms don't taste good because the linked website didn't actually say that. Also added information about how 熊掌 is still a Chinese delicacy.
Feb. 21, 2022:
- p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears links.
- p. 20: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
Mar. 23, 2018: Originally published.
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