82. The "Hair" Radical: 毛

The "hair" radical 毛 is identical to this kanji:

毛 (210: hair; vegetation)

So it is that け, the Joyo kun-yomi of this kanji, constitutes the Japanese radical name. The English names include "hair," "hair (of animals)," and "fur."

Henshall tells us in his newer edition that the 毛 shape is based on a "tuft of fur or hair." 

Which Kanji Feature the 毛 Radical?

This four-stroke radical is on duty in just one Joyo kanji—namely, 毛 itself.

A few non-Joyo kanji have also been slotted under this radical, including two featuring its variant shape: 

毬 (burr; ball)

毯 (wool rug)

The radical shrinks here to the width of a human hair!

Clearly, the 毛 shape is hairy at base. That's particularly true of the large one dominating this book cover. The 毛 (け) means "hair" or "fur" in this title:

「生きもの毛事典」
Encyclopedia of the Hair of Living Things

生きもの (いきもの: living thing);
事典 (じてん: encyclopedia)

Where 毛 Is and Isn't

Be sure to distinguish 毛 from these radicals:

手 (radical 64: "hand")

无 (radical 71: "crooked heaven")

豸 (radical 153: "badger")

Although you won't find our radical there, you will indeed see 毛 (in triplicate!) in this non-Joyo kanji: 

毳 (けば: fluff)