King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “compass”

Romaji: rashinban
compass

In Japanese, compass is , read (rashinban).

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 compass

Kanji and stroke order

gauze, thin silk, Rome
on: ラ
kun: うすもの
19 strokes · JLPT 1
needle, pin, staple
on: シン
kun: はり
10 strokes · JLPT 2
tray, shallow bowl, platter
on: バン
15 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “compass”

WordReadingMeaning
コンパス konpasucompass (for drawing circles, etc.); pair of compasses
じしゃく jishakucompass
おんいき on'ikirange (of a voice or instrument); register; compass
らしんぎ rashingicompass
ほういじしゃく houijishakucompass

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
もうら mouraencompassing; covering (exhaustively); including (all of)
られつ raretsuenumeration; citation; listing
しゅらば shurabafighting scene; scene of carnage (bloodshed)
こうら kourashell (of a crab, tortoise, etc.); carapace; plastron
しゅら shuraAsura; demigod; anti-god
ほうしん houshinpolicy; course; plan (of action)
ししん shishinneedle (compass, gauge, etc.); hand (clock); indicator
はりがね hariganewire
きばん kibanbase; basis; foundation

See also: Chinese symbol for “compass”.

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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