空
empty · sky · void · vacant · vacuum
Details
Description
Sky/Emptiness - vast openness, Zen concept of void, freedom.
Stroke Order
Component Breakdown
Hole + work
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of '穴' (hole) and '工' (empty). Empty space like a hole.
Symbolism
Sky, void, Buddhist concept of 'emptiness'. Represents infinite possibility.
Spiritual Meaning
Represents Buddhist concept of form is emptiness - ultimate truth that all things lack inherent existence.
Seasonal
The sky changes expression with seasons. Autumn sky's high clear blue, rainy season sky's heaviness—the sky symbolizes seasons.
Anime & Manga
天空の城ラピュタ
てんくうのしろらぴゅた
Castle in the Sky(1986)
Adventure fantasy seeking a castle floating in the sky
View on Amazon →ノーゲーム・ノーライフ
のーげーむ・のーらいふ
No Game No Life(2014)
Sibling protagonists 'Sora' and 'Shiro' dominate games
View on Amazon →ソードアート・オンライン
そーどあーと・おんらいん
Sword Art Online(2012)
Adventure in ALO world where you can fly in the sky
View on Amazon →Games
ゼルダの伝説 スカイウォードソード
Zelda: Skyward Sword HD(2021)
Adventure begins from Skyloft floating in the sky
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
空前絶後
くうぜんぜつご
(so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last; (so marvelous or horrible that it may be) the first and probably the last
空中楼閣
くうちゅうろうかく
castle in the air; castle in the air
色即是空
しきそくぜくう
form is emptiness; matter is void; all is vanity; form is emptiness
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; the open sky and the serene sea
徒手空拳
としゅくうけん
being empty-handed; being penniless; having no capital (for starting a business); being empty-handed
空即是色
くうそくぜしき
emptiness is form; illusion of the reality of matter; emptiness is form
空々漠々
くうくうばくばく
vast; boundless; wide and empty; vast
空理空論
くうりくうろん
impractical theory; academic discussion; doctrinairism; impractical theory
空々寂々
くうくうじゃくじゃく
deserted and lonesome; quiet and alone; innocent and nonattached; deserted and lonesome
史上空前
しじょうくうぜん
unprecedented in history; unheard-of; epoch-making; unprecedented in history
赤手空拳
せきしゅくうけん
barehanded; having no wealth or position to rely on (aside from one's own resourcefulness) (when embarking on something); barehanded
一切皆空
いっさいかいくう
matter is void; all is vanity; matter is void
天馬行空
てんばこうくう
unconstrained creativity; bold and imaginative; (like a) a heavenly steed soaring across the skies; unconstrained creativity
Proverbs & Idioms
空谷の跫音
くうこくのきょうおん
Footsteps in an empty valley
A rare and welcome visitor or event
Related Figures
空海
(くうかい)Founder of Shingon Buddhism whose name contains 'sky'
Known as Kobo Daishi. Founded Koyasan, also renowned for calligraphy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 空 mean in Japanese?
空 means empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum. Sky/Emptiness - vast openness, Zen concept of void, freedom.
How do you read 空?
On'yomi: クウ (KUU). Kun'yomi: そら、あ.く、あ.き、あ.ける、から、す.く、す.かす、むな.しい (sora, aku, aki, akeru, kara, suku, sukasu, munashii).
How many strokes does 空 have?
空 has 8 strokes. Its radical is 穴 (cave).
Is 空 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 空 (empty, sky, void, vacant, vacuum) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
Explore by meaning:kanji for sky · kanji for void