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Kotomora

黥

tatooing

Strokes20

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ
  • ゲイ

Kun'yomi

  • いれずみ

Meaning

黥 centers on tattooing, specifically the practice of marking the skin with ink, often as punishment or identification.

Most common words using 黥

  • 黥げい

    tattoo (esp. a traditional Japanese one); tattooing

  • 黥くめさく

    to tattoo a criminal around the eye (form of punishment in ancient Japan)

  • 黥面げいめん

    face tattoo; facial tattoo

  • 黥首げいしゅ

    tattooing the forehead of a criminal (Edo-period punishment)

Explore all words using 黥 →

Study

Etymology

黥 combines 黑 (black, ink) with 京, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to tattooing, especially punitive marking with ink.

Meaning mnemonic

Black ink (黑) is applied to the skin, and the right side 京 looks like a stylized needle or tool pressing into flesh. Together they create a tattoo.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine a tattoo artist named Kay inking a design: Kay -> ケイ, and the black ink marks the skin permanently.