Back

On'yomi
ニン
NIN
Kun'yomi
しの.ぶ・しの.ばせる
shinobu / shinobaseru

endure · bear · put up with · conceal · secrete · spy · sneak

powerfulmysterious

Details

Strokes7
Frequency#1700
Radicalheart(4)

Description

Ninja/Endure - represents stealth, patience, and the legendary shadow warriors.

Stroke Order

Loading...
Strokes7

Component Breakdown

=

Blade + heart

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of blade and heart. Hiding blade in heart.

Symbolism

Endurance, secrecy, ninja. Represents spirit of enduring hardship and keeping secrets.

Spiritual Meaning

Represents patience and spiritual strength, core concept of bushido spirit enduring hardship.

Anime & Manga

NARUTO

Naruto

manga/anime

Popularized ninja culture worldwide. Depicts 'the ninja way'

View on Amazon →

忍たま乱太郎

Nintama Rantaro

manga/anime

Comedy set in a ninja school

View on Amazon →

バジリスク

Basilisk

manga/anime

Depicts the battle between Iga and Koga ninja

View on Amazon →

Games

SEKIRO: SHADOWS DIE TWICE

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

PlayStation/Xbox/PC

Soulslike game surviving Sengoku era as a shinobi

View on Amazon →

天誅

Tenchu

PlayStation

Pioneer of authentic ninja stealth action

View on Amazon →

忍者龍剣伝

Ninja Gaiden

Xbox/PlayStation/PC

Iconic ninja action game series

View on Amazon →

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

堅忍不抜

けんにんふばつ

indomitable perseverance; invincible fortitude; indomitable perseverance

隠忍自重

いんにんじちょう

(behaving with) patience and prudence; putting up with something; (behaving with) patience and prudence

残忍酷薄

ざんにんこくはく

cruel; heartless; brutal; cruel

忍の一字

にんのいちじ

The single character 'nin' (endurance); Patience is the key to everything

Proverbs & Idioms

石の上にも三年

いしのうえにもさんねん

Three years on a stone

Patience and perseverance will prevail

Poetry

和歌(百人一首) (Waka (Hyakunin Isshu))

玉のをよ たえなばたえね ながらへば 忍ぶることの 弱りもぞする

Poem #89 from Hyakunin Isshu

式子内親王Shikishi Naishinnō
12th century