Japanese symbol for “initiation”
開始
かいし
Romaji: kaishi
start; commencement; beginning; initiation
In Japanese, initiation is 開始, read かいし (kaishi).
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 start; commencement; beginning; initiation
Kanji and stroke order
Other Japanese words for “initiation”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 伝授 | でんじゅ denju | (giving) instruction (esp. in the secrets of an art, discipline, etc.); initiation; teaching |
| 洗礼 | せんれい senrei | initiation (into a society, group, etc.); baptism |
| 仕掛け | しかけ shikake | commencement; initiation |
| 始動 | しどう shidou | starting (a project, plan, etc.); beginning; initiation |
| 直伝 | じきでん jikiden | direct transmission (of mystery, skill, secret, etc.); initiation |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 開催 | かいさい kaisai | holding (a conference, exhibition, etc.); opening; hosting (e.g. the Olympics) |
| 公開 | こうかい koukai | opening to the public; making available to the public; exhibiting |
| 開発 | かいはつ kaihatsu | development; cultivation; application |
| 展開 | てんかい tenkai | development; evolution; progression |
| 開放 | かいほう kaihou | opening (a door, window, etc.); leaving open |
| 始め | はじめ hajime | beginning; start; outset |
| 始まり | はじまり hajimari | origin; beginning; start |
| 始める | はじめる hajimeru | to start; to begin; to commence |
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.