Details
Description
Ocean - the mother water. For an island nation it is lifeline, boundary and invitation at once.
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of water (氵) and every (毎). Mother water, vast body of water.
Symbolism
Ocean, vastness, adventure. Symbolizes lifeline of island nation Japan.
Spiritual Meaning
In Shinto, a vast divine realm governed by Watatsumi (sea god). An otherworld symbolized by Dragon Palace legend; also represents life's origin and purification.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Expanse of the sea
Seasonal
"Beach opening" announces summer's start. "Sea bathing" is the representative summer leisure, symbolizing Japanese summer.
Component Breakdown
Water + every
Words & Expressions
Words written with 海
Four-Character Compounds
一天四海
いってんしかい
the world; the universe
海千山千
うみせんやません
cunning and experienced in the ways of the world; crafty and worldly-wise; sly old (fox)
人海戦術
じんかいせんじゅつ
human wave attack; human wave tactics; throwing people at a problem
天空海濶
てんくうかいかつ
the open sky and the serene sea; as open as the sky and serene as the sea; magnanimous
四海同胞
しかいどうほう
universal brotherhood
海内無双
かいだいむそう
unparalleled in the whole country
四海兄弟
しかいけいてい
people in the whole world being all brothers; universal brotherhood
海底撈月
かいていろうげつ
totally useless (fruitless) effort; wasting time on an impossible task (like trying to scoop up a reflected moon from the bottom of the sea)
滄海桑田
そうかいそうでん
the world is a scene of constant changes; the blue sea turns into a mulberry field
桑田滄海
そうでんそうかい
the world is a scene of constant changes (as a mulberry field changing into a blue sea)
桑田碧海
そうでんへきかい
the world is a scene of constant changes (as a mulberry field changing into a blue sea)
滄海遺珠
そうかいのいしゅ
talented person unbeknownst to the world
Poetry
荒海や佐渡によこたふ天河
A rough sea — and stretched toward Sado, the River of Heaven.
海暮れて鴨の声ほのかに白し
The sea darkens, and the voices of the ducks are faintly white.
春の海ひねもすのたりのたりかな
The spring sea, rolling and rolling all day long.
Anime & Manga
ONE PIECE
One Piece
A pirate adventure story. 'Sea' symbolizes freedom and adventure throughout the narrative.
海獣の子供
Children of the Sea
'Sea' in the title; a fantastical story depicting the mysteries of the ocean and origins of life.
海辺のエトランゼ
The Stranger by the Shore
A well-known work with 海 in its Japanese title.
海賊王女
Fena: Pirate Princess
A well-known work with 海 in its Japanese title.
海月姫
Princess Jellyfish
A well-known work with 海 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
空海
Name contains 海
Kūkai , born Saeki no Mao posthumously called Kōbō Daishi , was a Japanese Buddhist monk, calligrapher, and poet who founded the esoteric Shingon…
Wikipedia勝海舟
Name contains 海
Count Katsu Yasuyoshi , born Katsu Yoshikuni , best known by his nickname Katsu Kaishū , was a Japanese statesman, naval engineer and military…
Wikipedia渋川春海
Name contains 海
Shibukawa Shunkai or Shibukawa Harumi born as Yasui Santetsu , later called Motoi Santetsu , was a Japanese scholar, go player and the first official…
Wikipedia海北友松
Name contains 海
Kaihō Yūshō ; real name: Kaiho Shōeki, "brush name": Yusho , was a Japanese painter of the Azuchi–Momoyama period.
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 海 mean in Japanese?
海 means sea, ocean. Ocean - the mother water. For an island nation it is lifeline, boundary and invitation at once.
How do you read 海?
On'yomi: カイ (KAI). Kun'yomi: うみ (umi).
How many strokes does 海 have?
海 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 水 (water).
Is 海 a good kanji for a tattoo?
海 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means sea, ocean. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.