Kanji: 茨 (Thorn/Briar)
The kanji 茨 means "thorn," "briar," or any prickly shrub. It symbolizes something that is both protective and painful, often representing challenges or hardships.
Key Reading:
Kun-yomi (Japanese reading): いばら (ibara)
On-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading): シ (shi)
Common Words & Usage:
茨 (ibara) - Noun. Thorn, briar.
茨の道 (ibara no michi) - Idiom. A thorny path; a path of hardships.
茨城県 (Ibaraki-ken) - Proper Noun. Ibaraki Prefecture in Japan.
Example Sentence:
Japanese: 成功への道はしばしば茨の道だ。
Romaji: Seikō e no michi wa shibashiba ibara no michi da.
English: The path to success is often a thorny one.
Learning the correct stroke order for kanji like 茨 is essential for balanced, legible Japanese handwriting and is a fundamental part of mastering kanji writing.