銘
inscription; established name; to engrave on one's mind
Kanji 1847
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.
This kanji often gives items a stamp of approval. Inscriptions on metal vases, pottery, or swords convey authenticity. The prefix 銘- deems products (e.g., cakes and sakés) “exclusively made” and “of high quality." The term for "brand name" includes 銘, drawing on the connection between 銘 and reputation. And a great product engraves itself on your mind—again involving 銘!
Revision History:
Oct. 27, 2023: p. 15: Supplied new info. about the 6 kanji in the box on the lower right.
May 25, 2023: p. 16: Significantly revised the photo caption, now that new information has come in about the sign.
Feb. 19, 2022:
- p. 2, Etymology Box: Updated the Henshall etymology and Sears link.
- p. 10: Deleted a paragraph referring to Henshall’s now-discarded older etymology.
- p. 16: Added a link to the Kanshudo games.
June 29, 2017: p. 11: Altered the definition of 銘醸 and added an explanatory sentence after that.
Feb. 24, 2017: Originally published.
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