逝

to die; go

Kanji 1475

Japanese perceptions of death emerge in this essay. The kanji in certain terms imply that a dying person is going far away or will be gone forever. Somehow “early + life” means “early death.” People refer so casually to the “world of the dead” that that phrase ends up in ordinary sentences like “I can’t believe it’s been six years since my dad died.” And one book urges the elderly to die at home alone. 

Revision history:

May 27, 2024: p. 6: Defined 市川雷蔵 as "an actor’s name." (There was no def. before.)

Feb. 14, 2022: 

• p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears link. 
• p. 10: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.

May 11, 2018: Originally published.