King's Kung-Fu& Tai Chi

Japanese symbol for “subpoena”

Romaji: shoukan
summons; subpoena; citation

In Japanese, subpoena is , read (shoukan).

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, vs, vt summons; subpoena; citation (law)
  2. n, vs, vt summoning (a spirit, demon, etc.); evocation; invocation

Written forms: . Readings: .

Kanji and stroke order

seduce, call, send for
on: ショウ
kun: め.す
5 strokes · JLPT 2
yell, cry, call
on: カン
kun: わめ.く
12 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “subpoena”

WordReadingMeaning
しょうかんじょう shoukanjou(writ of) summons; subpoena; citation
しょうにんかんもん shouninkanmonsummoning of a sworn witness (court, Diet); subpoena
よびだしじょう yobidashijou(writ of) summons; subpoena
しゅっとうめいれい shuttoumeireisummons; subpoena

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

WordReadingMeaning
しょうしゅう shoushuuconvening; calling together (e.g. parliament); call-up (for military service)
めす mesuto call; to summon; to send for
おうしょう oushouresponding to a call-up for military service; answering a call-up
めし meshisummons; call
しょうかん shoukanrecall (esp. of an envoy or an ambassador); calling someone back; summons (home)
かんもん kanmonsummons
かんき kankiarousal; excitation; awakening
わめく wamekuto shout; to cry (out); to yell

See also: Chinese symbol for “subpoena”.

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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