This kanji means peace, harmony or Japanese. It can also mean mild, gentle, or congenial as an adjective. As a verb it means to soften or calm down.

on readings:
  • wa
  • o
kun readings:
  • yawa
  • nago
examples:
ボケ heiwa boke peace blur (used post-WWII to describe anti-militarism)
kōwa make peace
kyōwakoku republic
nyūwa gentle, mild-mannered
Reiwa jidai Reiwa era, the reign of emperor Naruhito ()
Shōwa jidai Showa era, the reign of emperor Hirohito ()
Towada-ko Lake Towada
wadokei traditional Japanese clock (6 hours day & 6 hours night)
wafuku Japanese clothing
wagashi Japanese-style confection
wagyū Japanese cattle
waka poetry
wakou doujin (deities) dim their light and mingle with the dust of the world (to assist mortals)
washi Japanese paper
washoku Japanese food
Yamoto (old) Japan

links:
Japanese clock
Lake Towada
The Way of Nagomi book review
Wagyu
Waka
Wiktionary
72 Seasons blog
Japanese homepage | top

Last Alteration Performed: 15 May 2025 by Bradley James Wogsland.