音読み: ケン
訓読み: つるぎ
画数: 10
部首: 刂（りっとう）
Meaning
Sword / Blade / Saber
- 剣 — sword
- 剣道 — kendo
- 真剣 — real sword; serious
- 刀剣 — swords and blades
- 短剣 — dagger
- 剣先 — sword tip
A classic phono-semantic build: the left side 刂 marks the blade set; the right side (from the old form 劍) contributes sound and the idea of a double-edged weapon. That is why words with 剣 often relate to martial arts or edged tools (剣道, 短剣, 真剣).
A natural foil to the sword — think offense vs. defense, or contrasting roles on the field. Useful when reading scenes where equipment is paired or opposed.
Creates
剣道 — the “way” of the sword; kendo.