In Order

by Nao

shira-beru, shira-be, totono-eru, totono-u, chō

Each character has one etymological root but nearly every character bears multiple meanings. Etymologically, today’s character comes from an activity to put something disorganized in order. Roughly, we encounter two usages derived from the activity. They are “to clear up” and “to tune up.” The usages relate to “investigation” and “melody,” respectively. Each meaning does not necessarily correspond to a unique reading.

Investigation (or “to clear up”)

Shira-beru is the verb “to investigate.” Chōsa is investigation. The sa of chōsa also means “to investigate.” Shira-be is the noun, “investigation.” Since it often means police investigation, this is something you can conduct.

Melody (or “to tune up”)

Another meaning of shira-be is music or a melody. In this case, all you can do with it is to listen to or to play. Chōchō is major and tanchō is minor. The first character of chōchō means long. The tan of tanchō means short. When Western classical music was imported to Japan, the musical scale, “C, D, E, F, G, A, H,” were translated to the Japanese ancient alphabets, “ha, ni, ho, he, to, i, ro.” “Ni tanchō” therefore is a D minor.

This character implies well-arranged or settled. Totono-eru is the verb, “arrange” or “settle.” Chōsei is the noun, “adjustment.” The sei of chōsei means “to make something complete.”

Draw the left-hand side of the character first.

1. Draw the dot on the top.
2. Draw the horizontal line below the dot.
3. Draw the horizontal line below the previous line.
4. Draw the horizontal line below the previous line.
5. Draw the left side of rectangle.
6. Draw the upper and right side of the rectangle.
7. Draw the lower side of the rectangle.
8. Begin to draw the right-hand side of the character. Draw the sweeping stroke at the center.
9. Draw the hook consisting of the upper horizontal part and the vertical part on the right-hand side. Turn upward at the end.
10. Draw the inside. Draw the horizontal stroke.
11. Draw the vertical stroke.
12. Draw the horizontal stroke touching the previous stroke.
13. Draw the left side of the rectangle.
14. Draw the hook.
15. Draw the lower side of the rectangle.