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Kotomora

黟

black and shining, ebony

Strokes18

Readings

On'yomi

  • エイ
  • イ

Kun'yomi

  • こくたん

Meaning

黟 centers on a deep, lustrous black, like polished ebony wood. The given meanings describe the same visual quality: a black surface that shines.

Study

Etymology

黟 combines 黑 (black) with 多, which likely contributes the sound. The character was used historically for a place name and for the idea of shiny black.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 黑 gives the black color, and the right side 多 (many) suggests an abundance of that blackness—so much black that it becomes glossy and shining, like many layers of polished ebony.

Reading mnemonic

For エイ, picture a shiny black 'A' grade ebony: 'A' -> エイ, the finest ebony with a deep, lustrous black.