1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “江” (pronounced “e” or “kou”) primarily means “river” or “bay.” It is often used to refer to a body of water, particularly in a geographical context.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “江” is classified as a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the meaning of water with a phonetic component to convey its sound.
Radical: The radical for “江” is “水” (water), which is commonly found in kanji related to water or liquid.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “江” are “江戸” (Edo, the historical name for Tokyo) and “江河” (river and stream).
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 「江は美しい景色を持っています。」(The river has a beautiful scenery.)
- 「江戸時代は日本の歴史の重要な時期です。」(The Edo period is an important time in Japanese history.)
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “川” (kawa), which also means “river” but typically refers to smaller rivers or streams. “江” often denotes larger bodies of water.
Antonyms: An antonym could be “山” (yama), meaning “mountain,” as it represents a different geographical feature compared to “江.”
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The kanji “江” is significant in Japanese culture, particularly in historical contexts such as the Edo period, which was named after the Edo River.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common idiom is “江戸の敵を長崎で討つ” (to take revenge on an enemy from Edo in Nagasaki), which reflects the historical significance of rivers in travel and trade in Japan.