Japanese symbol for “storybook”
赤本
あかほん
Romaji: akahon
pulp fiction; dime novel
In Japanese, storybook is 赤本, read あかほん (akahon).
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 pulp fiction; dime novel
- n akahon; university entrance exam workbook (published by Kyōgakusha)
- n storybook (with red cover, Edo period)
- n Red Guide (Michelin)
Written forms: 赤本. Readings: あかほん、あかぼん.
Kanji and stroke order
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 赤ちゃん | あかちゃん akachan | baby; infant |
| 赤い | あかい akai | red; crimson; scarlet |
| 赤字 | あかじ akaji | (being in) the red; deficit |
| 真っ赤 | まっか makka | bright red; deep red; flushed (of face) |
| 赤ん坊 | あかんぼう akanbou | baby; infant |
| 赤色 | あかいろ akairo | red; red color |
| 日本 | にほん nihon | Japan |
| 基本 | きほん kihon | basics; fundamentals; basis |
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.