木
tree · wood
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Pictograph depicting a tree. Represents trunk and branches.
Symbolism
Tree, nature, growth. Represents east and spring in Five Elements.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Under a great tree
Seasonal
Trees changing through seasons form the basis of Japanese seasonal sensibility. They transform: fresh green (spring), shade (summer), autumn leaves (fall), bare branches (winter).
Games
マインクラフト
Minecraft(2011)
Developer: Mojang
Sandbox game cutting 'trees' to build.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
草根木皮
そうこんもくひ
roots of herbs and barks of trees used in Chinese medicine; roots of herbs and barks of trees used in Chinese medicine
山川草木
さんせんそうもく
nature; natural scenery; nature
金口木舌
きんこうぼくぜつ
(public) opinion leader; (public) opinion leader
悪木盗泉
あくぼくとうせん
a virtuous person should not commit an act that offends their moral principles no matter how hard pressed they may be; a virtuous person should not commit an act that offends their moral principles no matter how hard pressed they may be
一木一草
いちぼくいっそう
a single tree or blade of grass; every stick and stone (of a place); a single tree or blade of grass
盲亀浮木
もうきふぼく
unlikely event; rare occurrence; unlikely event
枯木寒巌
こぼくかんがん
withered trees and frozen rocks; a person that is hard to approach; withered trees and frozen rocks
枯木死灰
こぼくしかい
withered trees and cold ash; someone who is detached and free of desires; someone who has no vitality; withered trees and cold ash
Proverbs & Idioms
木を見て森を見ず
きをみてもりをみず
Cannot see the forest for the trees
Missing the big picture
木に縁りて魚を求む
きによりてうおをもとむ
Climbing a tree to catch fish
Taking the wrong approach
Poetry
吹くからに 秋の草木の しをるれば むべ山風を 嵐といふらむ
Poem #22 from Hyakunin Isshu
朝ぼらけ 宇治の川霧 たえだえに あらはれわたる 瀬々の網代木
Poem #64 from Hyakunin Isshu