OBI forms such as show this to be based on pictograph of crossroads. It has a range of extended meanings such as ‘go, travel’, ‘act’, ‘be in line’. In broad terms this same semantic range can be seen in Chinese from early texts (OBI) onwards. SS1984:291; KJ1970:157-8; QX2000:180, 208; AS2007:540. As determinative, abbreviated to 彳, meaning ‘move/road’.
Mnemonic: GO TO THE CROSSROADS IN A LINE
132
L5
高
KŌ, taka, takai
tall, high, sum
10 strokes
高原 KŌGEN plateau
最高 SAIKŌ highest
高値 takane high price
OBI and bronze forms such as and show a structure – possibly a watchtower – on top of a hill or mound, quite similar in shape to OBI forms for 京 110 ‘capital’. Ma interprets the bottom element 口 as representing a hollowed-out room in the hill or mound, while Katō takes it as an entrance, and Shirakawa alternatively takes it instead as a receptacle for prayers or incantations. MR2007:325-6; KJ1970:164; SS1984:304-5; TA1965:262. As with 110, we suggest associating graph with a tōrō (stone garden lantern).
Mnemonic: TALL LANTERN-LIKE WATCHTOWER ON A HIGH HILL
133
L4
黄
KŌ, Ō, ki
yellow
11 strokes
黄葉 KŌYŌ yellow leaves
黄金 ŌGON gold
黄色(い) kiiro(i) yellow
Traditional 黃. Some OBI and other early forms such as and seem to depict a flaming arrow with what is probably a counterweight, while others of a different shape, such as , are seen as showing a person standing wearing what is taken to be a jeweled belt. The color of the flaming arrow or belt by extension was used for the word for ‘yellow’. MR2007:499-500; OT1968:1162; KJ1970:962; SS1984:306. Mnemonically challenging, but we suggest using 艹 53 ‘grass’ and taking 田 as 63 ‘field’ as partial prompts.
Mnemonic: ARROW BURNS YELLOW WITH GRASS FROM FIELD
134
L4
合
GŌ, KATSU, au/waseru
meet, join, fit
6 strokes
合理 GŌRI rationality
合戦 KASSEN battle
話し合い hanashiai discussion
OBI ; bronze . In one view, seen as pictograph of a receptacle with lid (Ogawa). Alternatively, taken as 口 22 ‘mouth; speak’, and as phonetic with associated sense ‘reply’, giving ‘reply (to questions)’. ‘Meet, put together, join’ are extended senses if the first view above is followed, or loan uses in relation to the second. MR2007:323; OT1968:166; SS1984:317; MS1995:v1:212-3.
Mnemonic: COVER FITS OVER A RECEPTACLE
135
L3
谷
KOKU, tani
valley, gorge
7 strokes
幽谷 YŪKOKU deep ravine
谷底 tanisoko valley bottom
長谷川* Hasegawa a surname
OBI ; bronze ; seal . Views differ. In one view, upper strokes in OBI and bronze are seen as water flowing, and 口 as a (mountain) spring (Gu). Another view sees mountain slopes and valley depression (Shirakawa). Yet again, the upper strokes are treated as meaning ‘open up’ (reduplication of 八 70 ‘divide up, open up’), combining with 口 22 ’mouth, cavity’ as semantic and phonetic to give ‘wide open mouth’ (Katō); in this view, ‘mountain valley’ seems to be taken as an extended sense. Mizukami agrees broadly, but notes ‘cave from which spring water emerges’ as alternative meaning. MR2007:450; SS1984:320-21; OT1968:946; KJ1985:573.
Mnemonic: DOUBLY WIDE OPEN VALLEY MOUTH
136
L5
国
KOKU, kuni
country, region
8 strokes
外国 GAIKOKU overseas
国家 KOKKA state
国々 kuniguni nations
OBI ; bronze ; seal ; traditional 國. OBI form has 戈 545 ‘halberd, arms’, and lower left 口 here indicating ‘boundary’ to make up 戓, in one view meaning ‘defend defined area with arms’ (Shirakawa treats the area more specifically as fortified town). Used in the sense ‘state’ already from the Shang Dynasty. In bronze, 囗 or probably added to emphasize boundaries. 国 is considered to represent
yukue* whereabouts
