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On'yomi
エイ
EI
Kun'yomi
かげ
kage

shadow · silhouette · phantom

darkmysterious

Details

Strokes15
Frequency#464
Radicalbristle(3)

Description

Shadow - the hidden side, ninja arts, duality.

Stroke Order

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Strokes15

Component Breakdown

=

Sun + capital + hair/light

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of scenery and pattern. Shape created by light.

Symbolism

Shadow, phantom, presence. Represents contrast of light and dark, hidden existence.

Anime & Manga

NARUTO

なると

Naruto(2002)

manga/anime

The 'Kage' title (Hokage, Mizukage, etc.) is a key element

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陰の実力者になりたくて!

かげのじつりょくしゃになりたくて

The Eminence in Shadow(2022)

manga/anime

Comedy about protagonist aspiring to be a 'shadow ruler'

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シャドーハウス

しゃどーはうす

Shadows House(2021)

manga/anime

Mysterious story of shadow-like nobles and 'living dolls'

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Games

ペルソナ5

Persona 5(2016)

PS4/PS5/PC

RPG fighting enemies called 'Shadows'

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ゼルダの伝説 ティアーズ オブ ザ キングダム

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom(2023)

Nintendo Switch

Shadow-based puzzles and battles with Phantom Ganon

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Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

孤影悄然

こえいしょうぜん

alone and dejected; lonely and downhearted; lonely and crestfallen; alone and dejected

形影一如

けいえいいちにょ

being inseparable as a form and its shadow; a person's deed mirrors the good or evil of his mind; husband and wife being never apart; being inseparable as a form and its shadow

夢幻泡影

むげんほうよう

a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow (metaphor for the transience of life); a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow (metaphor for the transience of life)

Proverbs & Idioms

影を落とす

かげをおとす

To cast a shadow

To have a negative influence or create a dark atmosphere

影を潜める

かげをひそめる

To hide one's shadow

To disappear from sight or become inconspicuous