Huh?
I heard that 初"First" is the only guest today.

Nice to meet you.
I am 衣"Clothing".

I am 刀"Blade".
初"First" will come later. (^_-)-☆

I see! I'm relieved.
Well then, 衣"Clothing", please introduce yourself.

I, 衣"Clothing" was born in the Shang(the Yin) Era.
I'm about 3,300 years old.

It's the same with me.

Oh, thank you very much, 刀"Blade". (^_^;
So both of you are Oracle Bone Scripts.

(^_^)/

衣"Clothing", why were you born in the shape like this?

Well, please look at my Oracle Bone Script and Bronze Script.

甲骨文字（Oracle Bone Script）

金文（Bronze Script）

You are 衣"Clothing", so you represent what you wear, right?

That's right.
Do you know where I represent?
Then, please look at the Shoten.

小篆（Shoten）

The shape hasn't changed that much, has it? ^ _ ^;
It is difficult ...
Is it around the chest by any chance?

That's correct.
The collar of a kimono is combined to form '衣'.

Now that you mention it, it looks like that!!

Then, please look at Reisho and other style of me.

隷書（Reisho）

行書（Gyosho）

楷書（Kaisho）

Wow, it's already a current shape of 衣" Clothing".

衣" Clothing" also became Kana, Bow-Wow!

草仮名（Sogana）

平仮名（Hiragana）

Hehe (^ ^ ♪
By the way, there are a lot of Kanji characters born of me.
May I introduce one of them this time?

Yes, of course!
Excited (* ^ _ ^ *)

You can come in～!

Hello～, nice to meet you.
I was born in Kinbun, which was cast into a bronze ware in the Western Zhou Era [1,100 BC – 771 BC].
I am about 2,800 years old, and was born from衣"Clothing"～.

Nice to meet you!
I am excited to listen to your story.

Let's just start with, can you look at my Bronze Script and Shoten?

金文（Bronze Script）

小篆（Shoten）

Huh? There is a diagonal line around the collar of 衣"Clothing".

That's right. I'll explain that later.
Then, please look at Reisho and other styles of me.

隷書（Reisho）

行書（Gyosho）

楷書（Kaisho）

I got it!
You are 卒"Complete", aren't you?

Bingo!!

But why was 卒"Complete" born from 衣"Clothing"?

Would you like to know?

Of course!
Please let me know. (^_^)

"衣" is the clothing worn with the crossed collar in front.
People in ancient China thought that clothing was not just something to wear, but "something that protects someone from many things".

It might be a little difficult for people of today.
At first, I, 衣"Clothing" was thought of as "something that covers and protects a human's life".
Clothes for newborn babies were like charms.

It has such a meaning.
But why was Kanji for 卒"Complete" born from there?
What does a diagonal line represent?

First, let's talk about one diagonal line.
As shown in the picture below, this line shows the shape where the collar of the clothes is layered and tied firmly with a string.

It is said that this is to close the collar of the clothes firmly so that the soul does not get lost, and to prevent evil spirits from entering.

Perhaps the word "graduation" was born from clothes worn by those who died?

You're so smart!
As you know, this world is a changing world.
Some lives are born, some are dead, which means they are graduated from this world.

That's why there are meanings of "finish", "complete", and "end".

Especially in March, graduation ceremonies are held at many schools in Japan.
Graduation means "the completion of a prescribed academic process. Also, complete the project.".

For me, the biggest image of you is "graduation".

I can feel the deep feelings of the old people. Bow-Wow.

Alright. Then, 刀"Blade", please start introducing.

It's finally my turn.

Are you a samurai, 刀"Blade"?

I am nothing but a wanderer.

A wanderer!?
No way... but are you Kenshin...?

Putting aside my background, first of all, please look at my shape when I was born.
What does it look like?

甲骨文字（Oracle Bone Script）

This looks exactly like a blade. (mimicking the old way 刀"Blade" talks)

Toshu-sensei, your way of talking sounds like 刀"Blade", Ruff-Ruff!

(〃▽〃)shy

You got it right.
As I have no Bronze Script, I will show Shoten and other styles of me.

小篆（Shoten）

隷書（Reisho）

行書（Gyosho）

楷書（Kaisho）

You look the same as you are now.
By the way, 初"First" hasn't come yet?

Doesn't he come today?

Ms. Toshu, Ms. Leciel, he has already come here. (*^^)v

What?
I can't see him.

What you see is not everything.

Look at both of us carefully!

衣"Clothing" and 刀"Blade" are combined to make 初"First"!
I finally understand!

From now on, we will talk about us as 初"First".

Toshu-sensei, we just had初"First" come on the stage, but the time has come.

The fun time passes quickly.
I'd like to ask you something, 初"First". Can you come next week?
(mimicking the old way 刀"Blade" talks)

Of course we will...Definitely!

I'm looking forward to seeing you. (mimicking the old way 刀"Blade" talks)

The profiles of the three of them who came here today are summarized here (衣"Clothing", 刀"Blade", 卒"Complete"), so please take a look!
See you next time, everyone, Bow-Wow!

Toshu's Kanji House 21th is here.