今
now
Details
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
top-bottom: 亼 + ラ
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of covering with a lid. Capturing this moment under a cover.
Symbolism
Present, immediate, this moment. Connected to Zen philosophy of living in the now.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Living in the present
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
古往今来
こおうこんらい
in all ages; since antiquity; in all ages
古今東西
ここんとうざい
all times and places; all ages and countries; all times and places
昨非今是
さくひこんぜ
complete reversal of values or ways of thinking; complete reversal of values or ways of thinking
古今独歩
ここんどっぽ
unmatched in history; unequaled in history; unmatched in history
古今無双
ここんむそう
unparalleled in history; unparalleled in history
今是昨非
こんぜさくひ
complete reversal of values or ways of thinking (over time); What appeared wrong in the past now appears right; realizing and regretting the past errors of one's ways; complete reversal of values or ways of thinking (over time)
東西古今
とうざいここん
all times and places; everywhen and everywhere; all times and places
往古来今
おうこらいこん
in all ages; since antiquity; in all ages
Proverbs & Idioms
今日の一針、明日の十針
きょうのひとはり、あすのとはり
One stitch today, ten stitches tomorrow
A stitch in time saves nine
Poetry
立ち別れ いなばの山の 峰に生ふる まつとし聞かば 今帰り来む
Poem #16 from Hyakunin Isshu
わびぬれば 今はた同じ 難波なる みをつくしても あはむとぞ思ふ
Poem #20 from Hyakunin Isshu
今こむと 言ひしばかりに 長月の 有明の月を 待ちいでつるかな
Poem #21 from Hyakunin Isshu
小倉山 峰のもみぢ葉 心あらば 今ひとたびの みゆき待たなむ
Poem #26 from Hyakunin Isshu
忘れじの 行く末までは かたければ 今日をかぎりの 命ともがな
Poem #54 from Hyakunin Isshu
あらざらむ この世のほかの 思ひ出に 今ひとたびの 逢ふこともがな
Poem #56 from Hyakunin Isshu
今はただ 思ひ絶えなむ とばかりを 人づてならで 言ふよしもがな
Poem #63 from Hyakunin Isshu
契りおきし させもが露を いのちにて あはれ今年の 秋もいぬめり
Poem #75 from Hyakunin Isshu
ながらへば またこのごろや しのばれむ 憂しと見し世ぞ 今は恋しき
Poem #84 from Hyakunin Isshu