Can You Read These? Quiz on Kanji with Many Strokes

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

When you’re studying kanji, have you ever thought, “This character is really hard…”?

Isn’t it true that what makes them feel difficult is often the sheer number of strokes?

In this article, we’ll introduce kanji and compounds with many strokes, as well as invented kanji, in a quiz format!

Even if they seem difficult at first glance, focusing on the large number of strokes can spark your curiosity and make them feel more fun.

It’s also enjoyable to figure out what the made-up kanji are supposed to say.

Give it a try!

Compounds with many strokes (1–10)

skull

See the answer

skull

Skulls, or “dokuro,” refer to the bleached bones of the head. Exposed to the elements for many years, they fade and turn white, which is said to be the origin of the term “sarekōbe,” meaning “exposed head.” It’s also said the word may derive from “share,” which refers to the bones of the dead.

Raise the rankinglower

yamamoto

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In conclusion

We presented complex kanji in a quiz format! How many did you get right? If you got them all correct, that’s amazing! You should definitely try taking the Kanji Kentei. Some kanji are said to have over 1,000 strokes. Those are closer to pictures than actual kanji, but it’s still fun to think about how they might be read. If you’re interested in creating your own kanji, give it a try yourself!