King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “library”

Romaji: toshokan
library

In Japanese, library is , read (toshokan).

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 library

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

map, drawing, plan
on: ズ、ト
kun: え、はか.る
7 strokes · JLPT 3
write
on: ショ
kun: か.く、-が.き、-がき
10 strokes · JLPT 4
building, mansion, large building
on: カン
kun: やかた、たて
16 strokes · JLPT 3

Other Japanese words for “library”

WordReadingMeaning
ぶんこ bunkolibrary; book collection
しょこ shokolibrary; book storage; stack room
しょさい shosaistudy; library; den
しょぼう shoboustudy; library
ぞうしょ zoushocollection of books; (personal) library

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
ちず chizumap; atlas; chart
いと itointention; aim; design
はかる hakaruto plan; to attempt; to devise
としょ toshobooks
あいず aizusign; signal; cue
ぶんしょ bunshodocument; writing; letter
しょせき shosekibook; publication
しょるい shoruidocument; papers
びじゅつかん bijutsukanart museum; art gallery

See also: Chinese symbol for “library”.

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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