香
incense · smell · perfume
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of grain and sun. Fragrance of grain.
Symbolism
Fragrance, aroma, perfume. Represents good scent.
Spiritual Meaning
Used in Buddhist and Shinto offerings. Incense smoke carries prayers to heaven and has the spiritual function of purifying space.
Component Breakdown
grain + sun
Words & Expressions
Words written with 香
Proverbs & Idioms
香りは千里を走る
かおりはせんりをはしる
Fragrance travels a thousand miles
Good reputation spreads far and wide
Poetry
春すぎて 夏来にけらし 白妙の 衣ほすてふ 天の香具山
Spring has gone and summer seems to have come — white robes are spread to dry, they say, on Mount Amanokagu.
人はいさ 心も知らず ふるさとは 花ぞ昔の 香に匂ひける
As for people, I cannot know their hearts — but in my old village the blossoms are fragrant as they always were.
Anime & Manga
狼と香辛料
Spice and Wolf
A well-known work with 香 in its Japanese title.
狼と香辛料II
Spice and Wolf II
A well-known work with 香 in its Japanese title.
Related Figures & Stories
香淳皇后
Name contains 香
Nagako , posthumously honoured as Empress Kōjun , was a member of the Imperial House of Japan, the wife of Emperor Hirohito and the mother of Emperor…
WikipediaOther kanji with the same meaning
Similar Kanji
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 香 mean in Japanese?
香 means incense, smell, perfume.
How do you read 香?
On'yomi: コウ、キョウ (KOU, KYOU). Kun'yomi: か、かお.り、かお.る (ka, kaori, kaoru).
How many strokes does 香 have?
香 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 香 (fragrant).
Is 香 a good kanji for a tattoo?
香 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means incense, smell, perfume. Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.