A Shell of a Tortoise or First

kō, kan

This character depicts a shell of a tortoise and its tail. A shell of a tortoise is kōra, of which the ra means a net.

Both the back of the one’s hand and the instep is kō. We call them te no kō and ashi no kō respectively. Another thing that has a hard surface is kampan, which means a deck.

One of the unusual readings of this kanji is kinoe. Ancient Chinese people gave a thought on the universe. According to their philosophy, five elements constituting the universe are ki (wood), hi (fire), tsuchi (earth), kane (metal) and mizu (water). The ten calendar signs are based on these elements. Each element is divided into two categories: e (older brother) and to (younger brother). A ten-year cycle calendar goes like kinoe, kinoto, hinoe, hinoto, etc.  The first sign is kinoe and today’s character is used for the word.

Putting twelve zodiac signs (ne, ushi, tora …) after the ten calendar signs, you can make a 60-year cycle calendar.

Year 1984 … kinoe ne

Year 1985 … kinoeto ushi

Year 1986 … hinoe tora

Year 1987 … hinoto u

…

Year 2008 … tsuchinoe ne

Year 2009 … tsuchinoto ushi

Year 2010 … kanoe tora

Year 2011 … kanoto u

Year 2012 … mizunoe tatsu

Year 2013 … mizunoto mi

…

1. Write the left side of the character.
2. Write the upper and right sides of the character.
3. Write the horizontal stroke in the rectangle.
4. Write the lower side of the rectangle.
5. Write the longest vertical stroke.