刅
to wound, to create, to make, to invent, to begin, double-edged sword
Readings
On'yomi
- ソウ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- つく.る
- はじ.める
- きず.つける
Meaning
刅 has two distinct meaning clusters that do not share one clear center: one cluster involves wounding or injuring, and the other involves creating, making, or beginning. The double-edged sword sense may relate to the blade component.
Study
Etymology
The exact historical development of 刅 is uncertain. It visually contains 刃 (blade) and a dot, but the relationship between the wounding and creating meanings is unclear.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side is a blade 刃, and the right side is a small mark 丶. Picture a blade that can both wound and create: a double-edged sword that cuts to injure or carves to invent something new.
Reading mnemonic
For ソウ, imagine a sword that can both wound and create: it's a 'soul' blade. Soul -> ソウ, and the blade's double nature reflects the kanji's dual meanings.