JUU tou (ten)

ASCII Art Representation:

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Character Etymology:

Ususally represented as two lines crossing to symbolize the four main directions, which in turn expressed the concept of completeness and by association, all the fingers: the way to count ten. However, this is a confused version of this character's actual origin.

It derives from a depiction of a sewing needle, and was used purely as a substitute for the more complex character for ten; that character means litterally "hands together," or, "to gather."

A Listing of All On-Yomi and Kun-Yomi Readings:

on-yomi: JUU
kun-yomi: too to

Nanori Readings:

Nanori: i ka gi sa shi so sou chi tou ne ma ru wa

English Definitions:

1. JUU, tou, to: ten.

Character Index Numbers:

New Nelson: 598
Henshall: 33

Unicode Encoded Version:

十

Unicode Encoded Compound Examples:

十月 (juugatsu): October
十二月 (juunigatsu): December
十日 (tooka): tenth day (of the month), ten days.
十字架 (juujika): cross, the Cross of Christ.

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