1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “版” (han) primarily means “edition” or “version.” It is often used in contexts related to printing, publishing, and various forms of media.
2. Origin and Radicals
The kanji “版” is a compound character (会意文字) that combines the elements of “石” (stone) and “半” (half). The stone represents the idea of a printing block, while half indicates a version or edition of something.
The radical of “版” is “石,” which relates to stone or rock, emphasizing its connection to printing and the physical medium used in the process.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “版” are:
- 版画 (はんが, hanga) – woodblock print
- 新版 (しんぱん, shinpan) – new edition
- 版権 (はんけん, hanken) – copyright
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「この本の新版は来月発売されます。」
(This book’s new edition will be released next month.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 版 (はん, han) – edition
- 刷 (すり, suri) – print (referring to the act of printing)
Antonyms include:
- 無版 (むばん, muban) – no edition (not published)
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “版” has significant ties to Japanese culture, particularly in the context of traditional arts such as ukiyo-e (woodblock prints). These prints played a crucial role in disseminating culture and art during the Edo period.
Proverbs and idiomatic expressions related to “版” include:
- 「版を重ねる」(はんをかさねる, han o kasaneru) – to publish multiple editions, indicating the evolution of a work over time.