躾 kanji stroke order 躾 japanese kanji writing 躾 kanji diagram-kanji lookup

1. Meaning and Usage

The core meaning of the kanji 躾 is "upbringing," "discipline," "training," or "manners." It refers to the cultivation of good character, etiquette, and proper behavior, especially in children.

Common Reading and Words:

  • しつけ (shitsuke): The native Japanese reading.

    • 躾 (shitsuke): Discipline, training, upbringing.

    • 躾ける (shitsukeru): The verb form, "to discipline," "to train," "to teach manners."

This kanji is a 国字 (kokuji), meaning it is a character created in Japan, not imported from China. As such, it does not have a Sino-Japanese (on'yomi) reading.
躾 kanji.jpg

2. Correct Stroke Order

Writing 躾 correctly requires attention to its two balanced parts. The kanji is composed of the left component 身 (mi) and the right component 美 (mi).

Total Strokes: 16

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

  1. Left Component: 身 (Mi - Body)

    • Stroke 1: Left-falling stroke (撇) from the top.

    • Stroke 2: Short vertical stroke (竖).

    • Stroke 3: Horizontal折 (oritsu) that forms the top-right and side.

    • Stroke 4: Two short horizontal strokes inside (横, 横).

    • Stroke 5: A left-falling stroke (撇) that extends out.

    • Stroke 6: A final short horizontal stroke (横) at the bottom. Note: The "body" radical is written completely before moving to the right side.

  2. Right Component: 美 (Mi - Beauty)

    • Stroke 7: First dot (点).

    • Stroke 8: Second dot (点).

    • Stroke 9: Short horizontal stroke (横).

    • Stroke 10: Long horizontal stroke (横).

    • Stroke 11: Vertical stroke (竖) through the center.

    • Stroke 12: Left-falling stroke (撇).

    • Stroke 13: Right-dot stroke (捺).

Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:

  • Left to Right: The entire left component 身 is written before the right component 美.

  • Top to Bottom: This rule governs the order within both components.


3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)

The history of 躾 is a brilliant example of Japanese linguistic creativity. As a 国字 (kokuji), it was constructed by combining two existing kanji to express a uniquely Japanese cultural concept.

The kanji 躾 is composed of two simple yet profound components:

  1. 身 (Mi): This character means "body," "oneself."

  2. 美 (Mi): This character means "beauty," "beautiful."

The Combined Meaning:

The meaning of 躾 is created by the powerful and elegant combination of these two parts:

"To make beauty (美) a part of one's very body (身)."

This is a deeply philosophical concept. 躾 is not merely about enforcing rules; it is about the process of internalizing good manners and virtuous conduct until they become second nature—as instinctive and inseparable from a person as their own body. The goal is to cultivate an inner beauty that is reflected in one's outward actions and posture.

It implies that true discipline is not an external force but an internalized art form, where proper behavior becomes a kind of physical grace.

4. Example Sentences

Here are some example sentences showing the use of 躾.

  1. As a Noun "Upbringing" (しつけ):

    • Romaji: Kanojo wa shitsuke ga shikkari shite iru.

    • English: She has good manners/is well-disciplined. (Lit: Her upbringing is solid.)

    • 彼女は躾がしっかりしている。

  2. As a Verb "To Discipline" (しつける):

    • Romaji: Kodomo ni reigi o shitsukeru no wa oya no yakume da.

    • English: It is a parent's role to discipline their children in manners.

    • 子供に礼儀を躾けるのは親の役目だ。

  3. General Concept:

    • Romaji: Shokuji no shitsuke wa taisetsu desu.

    • English: Table manners are important.

    • 食事の躾は大切です。

Summary

  • Meaning: Upbringing, discipline, training, manners.

  • Writing: 16 strokes. Write the left "body" component 身 first, then the right "beauty" component 美.

  • Origin: A 国字 (kokuji), a character created in Japan. It combines 身 (body) and 美 (beauty) to express the concept of "making beauty a part of one's body." This refers to the process of internalizing good conduct and manners until they become instinctive and natural, reflecting a deep connection between physical discipline and inner virtue.


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