幽
seclude · confine to a room · deep · profound · secluded · faint · dark · tranquil · calm
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of mountain and small. Small mountain.
Symbolism
Ghost, profound, dim. Represents faint.
Spiritual Meaning
Mystical worldview in Shinto and Onmyōdō. Represents awe toward the "profound" realm where invisible spirits and gods dwell.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Illuminating the darkness
Anime & Manga
幽☆遊☆白書
ゆうゆうはくしょ
Yu Yu Hakusho(1990)
Author: Yoshihiro Togashi
'Ghost/spirit' in the title; depicts the adventures of a protagonist who becomes a spirit detective.
View on Amazon →Games
零
Fatal Frame(2001)
Developer: Koei Tecmo
Horror game fighting ghosts. Unique system of capturing spirits with a camera.
View on Amazon →Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
深山幽谷
しんざんゆうこく
deep mountain valleys; deep mountain valleys
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 幽 mean in Japanese?
幽 means seclude, confine to a room, deep, profound, secluded, faint, dark, tranquil, calm.
How do you read 幽?
On'yomi: ユウ (YUU). Kun'yomi: ふか.い、かす.か、くら.い、しろ.い (fukai, kasuka, kurai, shiroi).
How many strokes does 幽 have?
幽 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 幺 (short thread).
Is 幽 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 幽 (seclude, confine to a room, deep, profound, secluded, faint, dark, tranquil, calm) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.
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