獬: mythical beast (獬豸)

mythical beast (獬豸)

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

Readings

カイ・ゲ

Kun

—

Only seen in 獬豸 (かいち), the legendary Chinese beast that judges right and wrong; the kanji almost never appears elsewhere.

獬豸かいちxiezhi (mythical beast of justice)

獬豸かいちは、悪人あくにんを見分みわけて角かくで突つくと伝つたえられる神獣しんじゅうだ。

The xiezhi is a sacred beast said to tell the wicked apart and strike them with its horn.

古代こだい中国ちゅうごくでは、法ほうを司つかさどる役人やくにんが獬豸かいちの飾かざりのついた冠かんむりをかぶった。

In ancient China, officials in charge of the law wore caps decorated with the xiezhi.

物語ものがたりに出でてくる獬豸かいちは、正義せいぎを見抜みぬく不思議ふしぎな力ちからを持もっている。

The xiezhi in the story has the mysterious power to see through to justice.