Japanese water shrew
A small semiaquatic mammal native to Japan, Chimarrogale platycephala. Typically written in kana.
The Japanese water shrew is a small mammal that lives in clear streams.
Katakana spelling is common for this animal name; usually written in kana.
Kanji spelling; rarely used in practice.
Alternate kanji spelling; rarely used.
Compound of 川 (kawa, 'river') and 鼠 (nezumi, 'rat/mouse'), literally 'river rat'. The exact derivation is uncertain, but the name describes its habitat and appearance.