hundred
百 centers on the number one hundred. It is a basic numeral used for counting, quantities, and multiples of a hundred.
百 originally depicted a container or a specific counting unit, but its modern form is a combination of 一 (one) and 白 (white), which is a simplification of an older phonetic component. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the character has long represented the number one hundred.
One (一) white (白) square represents a hundred of something. Imagine a white tile with the number 100 written on it.
For ヒャク, imagine a hundred hyaku (a made-up word that sounds like 'hyaku') tiles stacked up. The sound 'hyaku' directly cues the reading ヒャク.
hundred; 100
department store
lily (Lilium spp.)
many objects (for study)
lily
farmer; peasant; farm laborer; farmhand
centipede
match fixing; put-up job; fixed game
greengrocer; fruit and vegetable shop
all varieties of flowers; many flowers
nightly procession of monsters, spirits, etc.
shrike (any bird of family Laniidae)
a gathering of many beautiful women (talented people); simultaneous emergence of many talents and achievements; hundred flowers blooming in profusion
veteran; battle-worn; schooled by adversity in many battles; hard-bitten; rich in experience; very experienced
hearing many times
great damage
always hitting the bull's-eye; infallible
all kinds of animals
Hankyu Department Store
pack of lies; complete fabrication; all lies