Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Shape of person dancing with mask. Summer festival dance.
Symbolism
Summer, heat, vitality. Symbolizes Japanese summer festival culture.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Bustling summer festival
Seasonal
Season from June to August. Symbolizes vitality, passion, dynamism. Time of fireworks, festivals, swimming. In haiku, represents heat and life force.
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
夏炉冬扇
かろとうせん
summer fires and winter fans; useless things; summer fires and winter fans
春夏秋冬
しゅんかしゅうとう
spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter; the four seasons; spring, summer, autumn (fall) and winter
Poetry
春すぎて 夏来にけらし 白妙の 衣ほすてふ 天の香具山
Poem #2 from Hyakunin Isshu
夏の夜は まだ宵ながら 明けぬるを 雲のいづこに 月やどるらむ
Poem #36 from Hyakunin Isshu
風そよぐ ならの小川の 夕暮れは みそぎぞ夏の しるしなりける
Poem #98 from Hyakunin Isshu
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 夏 mean in Japanese?
夏 means summer.
How do you read 夏?
On'yomi: カ、ガ、ゲ (KA, GA, GE). Kun'yomi: なつ (natsu).
How many strokes does 夏 have?
夏 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 夊 (go slowly).
Is 夏 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 夏 (summer) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.