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首巻 (しゅかん, shukan) Japanese meaning: first volume | Kotomora

首しゅ巻かん

しゅ

か

ん

Meanings

1

first volume; volume one

Refers to the first volume of a multi-volume book or series.

このシリーズの首しゅ巻かんはとても面おも白しろい。
The first volume of this series is very interesting.

Kanji

首neck, counter for songs and poems
巻scroll, volume, book

Related words

初しょ巻かん
初巻 also means 'first volume', but 首巻 is more common and specifically emphasizes the beginning of a series.
第だい一いっ巻かん
第一巻 is a more explicit and common way to say 'volume one', while 首巻 is a slightly more literary or formal term.

Etymology

Compound of 首 (head, first) and 巻 (volume). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji combination directly conveys the meaning of 'first volume'.