A quiz of interesting obscure kanji: characters that look easy but are hard to read

cross-legged (sitting position)

“Agura” (written with the characters for “胡座”) refers to a relaxed sitting posture with legs crossed. Its exact origin is unclear, but the character “胡” can mean “foreign” or “uncivilized,” and “座” means “to sit.” Taken literally, it implies a foreign way of sitting, yet in practice it has long been a common sitting posture in Japan.

horsetail

Tsukushi (lit. “earth brush”) refers to horsetail shoots, one of the plants that herald the arrival of spring, and like fukinoto (butterbur sprouts), they are sometimes eaten. Their straight, upward growth from the soil is striking; if you imagine the individual kanji—“earth” and “brush”—it’s easy to picture them as brush-like shapes sprouting from the ground.

red panda

The correct reading of 「小熊猫」 is “lesser panda,” an animal beloved by many for its adorable appearance. The term originates from the fact that pandas are written as 「熊猫」 in Chinese, and from there the lesser panda came to be written as 「小熊猫」, meaning “small panda.”

wood ear mushroom

The correct reading of 木耳 is “kikurage.” Kikurage is an edible mushroom that grows on plants of the Asteraceae family, and it is a black, gelatinous fungus. It is especially common in Chinese cuisine and is known for its uniquely springy, crunchy texture. In Japan, it is often sold dried and is used after being rehydrated in water.

pit of the stomach

“Hagoromo” (mizo-ochi) refers to the hollow just below the sternum where the two ribs meet. In Japan, this is the common term used for that area. Literally, the kanji mean “pigeon’s tail,” which has no real connection to the body part—another reason this word can be tricky.