Japanese symbol for “lacing”

締め紐

しめひも

Romaji: shimehimo

adjustable strap; bracer; lacing

In Japanese, lacing is 締め紐, read しめひも (shimehimo).

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 adjustable strap; bracer; lacing

Written forms: 締め紐、締めひも. Readings: しめひも.

Kanji and stroke order

締

tighten, tie, shut

on: テイ
kun: し.まる、し.まり、し.める、-し.め

15 strokes · JLPT 1

紐

string, cord, braid

on: チュウ、ジュウ
kun: ひも

10 strokes

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
取締役	とりしまりやく torishimariyaku	company director; board member
締め切り	しめきり shimekiri	deadline; closing; cut-off
引き締め	ひきしめ hikishime	tightening
締結	ていけつ teiketsu	conclusion; execution (of a contract); entering (into treaty)
締める	しめる shimeru	to tie; to fasten; to tighten
締め	しめ shime	tying up; binding; fastening
紐解く	ひもとく himotoku	to read (a book); to open (a book) to read
組紐	くみひも kumihimo	braid; plaited cord

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.