King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “bookcase”

Romaji: hondana
bookshelves; bookshelf; bookcase

In Japanese, bookcase is , read (hondana).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

  1. n bookshelves; bookshelf; bookcase

Kanji and stroke order

book, present, main
on: ホン
kun: もと
5 strokes · JLPT 4
shelf, ledge, rack
on: ホウ
kun: たな、-だな
12 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “bookcase”

WordReadingMeaning
しょか shokabookshelf; bookcase
ほんばこ honbakobookcase
しょそう shosoubookcase
ブックケース bukkukeesubookcase
しょきゅう shokyuuwooden box for carrying books on one's back; bookcase

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
にほん nihonJapan
きほん kihonbasics; fundamentals; basis
ほんとう hontoutruth; reality; actuality
ほんにん honninthe person in question; the person themselves; said person
ほんらい honraioriginally; primarily
ほんき honkiseriousness; earnestness; truth
たなあげ tanaageshelving (a matter, plan, etc.); pigeonholing; tabling
とだな todanacupboard; locker; closet

See also: Chinese symbol for “bookcase”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.

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