条 Clause

Radical Combination

• 夂

  Winter
• 木

  Tree

Meaning

Primary

Clause

Mnemonic

A winter tree is only a winter tree due to a clause in its tree contract.

Hints

The clause states the tree can only be a tree in winter, but not during other seasons. Once winter descends, the clause takes effect and it becomes a tree. (See how winter is descending on the tree from above in this kanji?) Go ahead and look at its contract — see the winter tree clause, right there, in fine print.

Readings

On’yomi

じょう

Kun’yomi

None

Nanori

None

Mnemonic

This clause was written into all trees' contracts by Joe (じょう), the large farmhand.

Hints

Joe noticed that the trees were getting too crowded, so he wrote up these clauses and added them to the trees' contracts. Now, the forests are less crowded, thanks to the little clause. Makes sense that a farmhand like Joe would do this, too. The fewer trees, the more farmland. It's good for folks like Joe.