Usage
Dictionary
Kanji: 月
Hiragana: つき、げつ、がつ
Pronunciation: Tsuki, Getsu, Gatsu
Meaning: The moon, Month
Compounds
- 名月 (meigetsu) the harvest moon
- 花鳥風月 (kachofugetsu, kachoufuugetsu) the traditional themes of natural beauty in Japanese aesthetics, flowers, birds, wind, the moon
- 雪月花 (setsugekka) snow, the moon and flowers; beautiful scenery representing the four seasons of Japan
- 満月 (mangetu) a full moon
- 半月 (hangetsu) a half moon
- 新月 (shingetsu) a new moon
- 月光 (gekko, gekkoh, gekkou) moonlight
- 月面 (getsumen) moon’s surface
- 和風月名 (wafu-getsumei, wafuu-getumei) Japanese months’ name; Months names in Japanese Lunar Calendar
Kun
- 月日 (tsukihi) time; days
- 月夜 (tsukiyo) the moonlight night
- 三日月 (mikazuki) a crescent moon
- 上弦の月 (jogen-no-tsuki, johgen-no-tsuki, jougen-no-tsuki) waxing moon
- 下弦の月 (kagen-no-tsuki) waning moon
- 月と鼈 (tsuki-to-suppon) different like day and night; different like heaven and hell; different like
Column
月が綺麗ですね (tsukiga-kirei-desune): Profession of love
If we translate straightly “月が綺麗ですね (tsukiga-kirei-desune)”, it is “The moon is beautiful”. However, this is a profession of love made by Natsume Soseki, a great writer of the Meiji era. When Soseki Natsume was an English teacher, he had his students translate the English phrase “I love you”. When he heard the students’ direct translations, he told them, “Japanese people do not express their love in such a direct words. It should be translated as “The moon is beautiful”, or something.”
月のうさぎ (tsuki-no-usagi): Rabbits on the moon
In Japan, the shadow pattern of the moon is said to look like a rabbit making rice cakes. There is also a tradition that rabbits live on the moon. This tradition exists not only in Japan, but throughout Asia.
月とかぐや姫 (tsuki-to-kaguyahime): The moon and Princess Kaguya
Kaguya-hime, also known as Princess Kaguya, is a legendary figure in Japanese folklore. She is found as a baby inside a glowing bamboo stalk by a bamboo cutter. As she grows up, her beauty captivates everyone around her, and she becomes a sought-after princess. However, Kaguya-hime reveals that she is not of this world and comes from the moon. She longs to return to her celestial home. Despite the love and admiration she receives, Kaguya-hime refuses marriage proposals and chooses to remain faithful to her origins. Eventually, she must bid farewell to her adoptive family and friends, leaving them with deep sorrow. She returns to the moon, leaving behind memories of her grace and the impact she had on those who knew her.
Free Material
The below images are free!
Comments