Japanese symbol for “infarction”

梗塞

こうそく

Romaji: kousoku

stoppage; blocking

In Japanese, infarction is 梗塞, read こうそく (kousoku).

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, vi, vs stoppage; blocking
n, vi, vs infarction; infarct (med)

Written forms: 梗塞、硬塞. Readings: こうそく.

Kanji and stroke order

梗

for the most part, close up, flower stem

on: コウ、キョウ
kun: ふさぐ、やまにれ、おおむね

11 strokes

塞

close, shut, cover

on: ソク、サイ
kun: ふさ.ぐ、とりで、み.ちる

13 strokes

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
心筋梗塞	しんきんこうそく shinkinkousoku	heart attack; myocardial infarction
桔梗	ききょう kikyou	Chinese bellflower (Platycodon grandiflorus)
梗概	こうがい kougai	outline; summary; abstract
脳梗塞	のうこうそく noukousoku	cerebral infarction; (ischemic) stroke
捻じ桔梗	ねじききょう nejikikyou	twisted Chinese bellflower crest
閉塞	へいそく heisoku	blockage; blockade; blocking up
要塞	ようさい yousai	fort; stronghold; fortification
塞ぐ	ふさぐ fusagu	to stop up; to close up; to block (up)

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.