480531170

271
L4
究
KYŪ, kiwameru
investigate, extreme
7 strokes
KENKYŪ research
KYŪMEI investigation
TANKYŪ inquiry
Late graph (Shuowen) . Has 860 ‘cave
(dwelling), hole’, and 13 (‘nine’ q.v.) as
phonetic with associated sense ‘bend’, to give
‘cramped cave dwelling’, and by extension
‘be in difficulties’, ‘go/take to extremes’. The
extended meaning of ‘investigate’ may relate to
narrowing the focus. YK1976:124; KJ1970:264;
OT1968:739.
Mnemonic: EXTREME INVESTIGATION OF
NINE HOLES
272
L4
急
KYŪ, isogu
hurry, sudden
9 strokes
KYŪSHI sudden death
KYŪSOKU rapidity
ōisogi great haste
A late graph. Seal form (Shuowen) , depicting
164 ‘heart/feelings’ under upper part
with hand behind (chasing) a person, probably
signifying urgency. Upper part is early form of
1202 (‘reach, extend’), acting here as phonetic
with associated sense such as ‘become
tense, brace’. ‘Sudden’ is an extended meaning.
SS1984:174; YK1976:125; OT1968:363.
Mnemonic: HURRYING PERSON SUDDENLY
STOPS, HAND OVER HEART
273
L3
級
KYŪ
rank, grade
9 strokes
SHINKYŪ promotion
DŌKYŪSEI classmate
JŌKYŪ upper grade
Generally listed as a late graph, though Yamada
gives a bronze form. Made of 29 ‘thread’,
with 1202 (‘reach, extend’) as phonetic
with associated sense ‘next’. ‘Order’ is an extended
meaning. KJ1970:260; YK1976:125-6;
OT1968:767.
Mnemonic: REACH OUT AND GRADE THREADS
274
L5
宮
KYŪ, GŪ, KU, miya
palace, shrine prince
10 strokes
JINGŪ shrine
KYŪCHŪ Court
miyasama prince
OBI shows rooms beneath a roof; taken to
represent a large house or building. Became
associated with grand buildings such as palaces
and shrines, and their principal residents.
MS1995:v1:374; YK1976:126; OT1968:278.
Mnemonic: MANY ROOMS UNDER A ROOF
INDICATE A PALACE OR SHRINE
275
球
KYŪ, tama
sphere, ball
L3
11 strokes
KYŪGI ball game
CHIKYŪEarth
tamahiroicaddie
Late graph (Shuowen) . / 15 ‘jade’ and
478 (‘seek’) as phonetic, associated sense
‘pretty’ (Katō, Yamada), or ‘round’(Ogawa) >
pretty jade disc/ball. KJ1970:263; OT1968:657.
Mnemonic: SEEK JADE BALLS AS SPHERICAL
JEWELS
112 The 200 Third Grade Characters