Japanese symbol for “bowman”

射手

いて

Romaji: ite

archer; bowman

In Japanese, bowman is 射手, read いて (ite).

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

n archer; bowman
n shooter; gunner

Written forms: 射手. Readings: いて、しゃしゅ.

Kanji and stroke order

射

shoot, shine into, onto

on: シャ
kun: い.る、さ.す、う.つ

10 strokes · JLPT 1

手

hand

on: シュ、ズ
kun: て、て-、-て、た-

4 strokes · JLPT 4

Other Japanese words for “bowman”

Word	Reading	Meaning
弓兵	きゅうへい kyuuhei	archer; bowman; bow-wielding soldier
弓使い	ゆみつかい yumitsukai	archer (character, in anime, video games, etc.); bowman

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
注射	ちゅうしゃ chuusha	injection; jab; shot
放射能	ほうしゃのう houshanou	radioactivity
反射	はんしゃ hansha	reflection; reverberation
発射	はっしゃ hassha	firing (esp. a rocket or missile); launching; shooting
放射線	ほうしゃせん houshasen	radiation
射撃	しゃげき shageki	firing; shooting; fire
相手	あいて aite	companion; partner; company
選手	せんしゅ senshu	player (of a sport); athlete; team member

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.