Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of mountain and stone. Mountain stone.
Symbolism
Rock, immovable, solid. Represents unshakable strength.
Component Breakdown
mountain + stone
Words & Expressions
Words written with 岩
Proverbs & Idioms
点滴石を穿つ
てんてきいしをうがつ
Dripping water wears through stone
Persistent small efforts lead to great results
Poetry
風をいたみ 岩うつ波の おのれのみ くだけて物を 思ふころかな
Like a wave driven hard by the wind, breaking itself against the rock, I alone am shattered by these thoughts.
瀬をはやみ 岩にせかるる 滝川の われても末に あはむとぞ思ふ
Like a swift stream split by a rock, we are parted now; but I believe we will meet again downstream.
閑さや岩にしみ入る蝉の声
Such stillness — the cry of the cicadas sinking into the rock.
Anime & Manga
黒岩メダカに私の可愛いが通じない
Medaka Kuroiwa is Impervious to My Charms
A well-known work with 岩 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
岩崎弥太郎
Name contains 岩
Iwasaki Yatarō was a Japanese industrialist and financier known as the founder of Mitsubishi, one of Japan's largest conglomerates.
Wikipedia岩倉具視
Name contains 岩
Iwakura Tomomi was a Japanese statesman during the Bakumatsu and Meiji period.
Wikipedia岩佐又兵衛
Name contains 岩
Iwasa Matabei ; original name Araki Katsumochi 1578 – July 20, 1650) was a Japanese artist of the early Tokugawa period, who specialized in genre…
Wikipedia平岩親吉
Name contains 岩
Hiraiwa Chikayoshi was a Japanese daimyō of the early Edo period.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
“boulder”
“cliff”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 岩 mean in Japanese?
岩 means boulder, rock, cliff.
How do you read 岩?
On'yomi: ガン (GAN). Kun'yomi: いわ (iwa).
How many strokes does 岩 have?
岩 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 山 (mountain).
Is 岩 a good kanji for a tattoo?
岩 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means boulder, rock, cliff. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.