Details
Description
Shadow - the hidden side, ninja arts, duality.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of scenery and pattern. Shape created by light.
Symbolism
Shadow, phantom, presence. Represents contrast of light and dark, hidden existence.
Component Breakdown
Sun + capital + hair/light
Words & Expressions
Words written with 影
Four-Character Compounds
孤影悄然
こえいしょうぜん
alone and dejected; lonely and downhearted; lonely and crestfallen
形影一如
けいえいいちにょ
being inseparable as a form and its shadow; a person's deed mirrors the good or evil of his mind; husband and wife being never apart
夢幻泡影
むげんほうよう
a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow (metaphor for the transience of life)
Proverbs & Idioms
影を落とす
かげをおとす
To cast a shadow
To have a negative influence or create a dark atmosphere
影を潜める
かげをひそめる
To hide one's shadow
To disappear from sight or become inconspicuous
Poetry
冬の日や馬上に氷る影法師
A winter day — and on horseback, my own shadow frozen.
Anime & Manga
NARUTO
Naruto
The 'Kage' title (Hokage, Mizukage, etc.) is a key element
陰の実力者になりたくて！
The Eminence in Shadow
Comedy about protagonist aspiring to be a 'shadow ruler'
シャドーハウス
Shadows House
Mysterious story of shadow-like nobles and 'living dolls'
劇場版 HUNTER×HUNTER 緋色の幻影（ファントム・ルージュ）
Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge
A well-known work with 影 in its Japanese title.
NARUTO外伝 七代目火影と緋色の花つ月
Naruto: The Seventh Hokage and the Scarlet Spring
A well-known work with 影 in its Japanese title.
Games
ゼルダの伝説 ティアーズ オブ ザ キングダム
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom(2023)
Shadow-based puzzles and battles with Phantom Ganon
View on Amazon →Other kanji with the same meaning
“shadow”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 影 mean in Japanese?
影 means shadow, silhouette, phantom. Shadow - the hidden side, ninja arts, duality.
How do you read 影?
On'yomi: エイ (EI). Kun'yomi: かげ (kage).
How many strokes does 影 have?
影 has 15 strokes. Its radical is 彡 (bristle).
Is 影 a good kanji for a tattoo?
影 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means shadow, silhouette, phantom. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:shadow