Page 28 - Japanese Character Writing for Dummies

The traditional character for the number three was 参. The
three as in the surname of the Japanese novelist Mi-shima
modern, and simpler, version of this kanji is pronounced “mi,”

SAN/mi (literally three islands). It’s used in words such as

sangatsu (March, the third month), jūsan (thirteen),

and san’nin (three people).

Radical: 三 Number of strokes: three

Starting from the number four, things get a little more com-
plicated. Well, we can’t draw horizontal lines forever, so four
four kanji is its pronunciation: shi is homophonous with another
looks a bit different: 四. One thing that stands out about this
kanji that means “death.” That’s why this number is not
SHI/yon particularly liked in Japan. It’s used in words such as

shigatsu (April), jūyon (fourteen), and yonin
(four people).

Radical: 口 Number of strokes: five

22 Japanese Character Writing For Dummies