玉


This is the kanji for a gem, jewel, sphere or ball.

on readings:
  • gyoku
kun readings:
  • tama
examples:
玉石 gyokuseki good and bad (literally, wheat and chaff)
宝玉 hōgyoku precious gem
勾玉 magatama comma shaped beads made in Japan in 10th to 6th centuries BC
曲玉 magatama comma shaped beads made in Japan in 10th to 6th centuries BC
目玉 medama eyeball
掌中の玉 shōchū no tama apple of one's eye, one's jewel
玉子 tamago egg (c.f. 卵)
玉ねぎ tamanegi onion

links:
Magatama
Wiktionary
Japanese homepage | top

Last ∆ on 5 December 2025 by Bradley James Wogsland.