古
old
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '十' (ten) and '口' (mouth). What survives oral tradition for ten generations.
Symbolism
Tradition, history, value. Reflects Japanese culture's respect for old things.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Good old days
Component Breakdown
top-bottom: 十 + mouth
Words & Expressions
Words written with 古
Four-Character Compounds
古往今来
こおうこんらい
in all ages; since antiquity
古今東西
ここんとうざい
all times and places; all ages and countries
古色蒼然
こしょくそうぜん
antique-looking; looking hoary with patina
王政復古
おうせいふっこ
restoration of imperial rule; Restoration (England)
古今独歩
ここんどっぽ
unmatched in history; unequaled in history
古今無双
ここんむそう
unparalleled in history
千古不易
せんこふえき
eternally unchanging
千古不滅
せんこふめつ
everlasting; unchangeable; immortal
万古不易
ばんこふえき
eternally unchanging
千古万古
せんこばんこ
remote antiquity; ancient times; the remote past
千古不磨
せんこふま
permanence; immortality; eternity
東西古今
とうざいここん
all times and places; everywhen and everywhere
名所古跡
めいしょこせき
scenic sites and historic places; places of natural beauty and historic interest
往古来今
おうこらいこん
in all ages; since antiquity
Proverbs & Idioms
古きを温ねて新しきを知る
ふるきをたずねてあたらしきをしる
Study the old to know the new
Learn from the past to understand the present
Poetry
古池や蛙飛びこむ水の音
An old pond — a frog jumps in, the sound of water.
Anime & Manga
古見さんは、コミュ症です。
Komi Can't Communicate
Story of 'Komi'-san, a girl with communication disorder.
鬼滅の刃 柱稽古編
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc
A well-known work with 古 in its Japanese title.
終わりのセラフ 名古屋決戦編
Seraph of the End: Battle in Nagoya
A well-known work with 古 in its Japanese title.
古見さんはコミュ症です。
Komi-san wa Komyushou desu.
A well-known work with 古 in its Japanese title.
Games
古代王者恐竜キング
Dinosaur King(2005)
Developer: Sega
Card game summoning 'ancient' dinosaurs to fight.
View on Amazon →Related Figures & Stories
推古天皇
Name contains 古
Empress Suiko was the 33rd monarch of Japan, and the country's first and longest-reigning empress regnant, according to the traditional order of…
Wikipedia小原古邨
Name contains 古
Ohara Koson was a Japanese painter and woodblock print designer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, at the forefront of shinsaku-hanga and…
Wikipedia古田重然
Name contains 古
Furuta Oribe , whose birth name was Furuta Shigenari , was a daimyō and celebrated master of the Japanese tea ceremony.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 古 mean in Japanese?
古 means old.
How do you read 古?
On'yomi: コ (KO). Kun'yomi: ふる.い、ふる-、-ふる.す (furui, furu, furusu).
How many strokes does 古 have?
古 has 5 strokes. Its radical is 口 (mouth).
Is 古 a good kanji for a tattoo?
古 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means old. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:old