曰: say

say; according to

4 strokesNames & literary · Rare kanji (1級 range)in 3 words here

Readings

エツ

Kun

いわく・のたまう・のたまわく・ここに

曰く (いわく) introduces who said something, and also means a hidden backstory, as in 曰く付き. Literary 曰う reads のたまう.

曰くいわくaccording to; (hidden) reason

曰く付きいわくつきwith a dubious history

曰くありげいわくありげsuggestive of a hidden story

曰うのたまうto say (honorific; archaic)

祖父そふ曰いわく、早起はやおきは健康けんこうの秘訣ひけつだそうだ。

According to my grandfather, getting up early is the secret to good health.

あの古ふるい人形にんぎょうは、曰く付いわくつきの品しなだと骨董屋こっとうやが教おしえてくれた。

The antique dealer told me that old doll is an item with a dark history.

老おいた賢者けんじゃは星空ほしぞらを見上みあげ、「時ときは満みちた」と曰のたまった。

The old sage looked up at the starry sky and said, "The time has come."