kokuji

Noun

Meaning

kokuji (plural kokuji)

Any of the kanji characters invented in Japan.

Examples

If a character appears earlier in the Chinese literature, it is not considered a kokuji even if the character was independently coined in Japan and unrelated to the Chinese character (meaning "not borrowed from Chinese"). Source: Internet

Another example is 搾 main, which is sometimes not considered kokuji due to its earlier presence as a corruption of Chinese 榨 main. Source: Internet

Another is the kokuji 峠 (mountain pass) made from 山 (mountain), 上 (up) and 下 (down). Source: Internet

However, 鮟 main is not considered kokuji, as it is found in ancient Chinese texts as a corruption of 鰋 main (魚匽). Source: Internet

In other words, kokuji are not simply characters that were made in Japan, but characters that were first made in Japan. Source: Internet

鱇 main is considered kokuji, as it has not been found in any earlier Chinese text. Source: Internet

Close letter words and terms