Meaning & readings

imperial order

On’yomi チョク
Kun’yomi いまし.める、みことのり
Nanori て、のり

Origin

This character combines "束" (bundle or bind together) with "力" (power or force) on the right side. The idea is that an imperial order has the binding power of the ruler—it's a command that constrains and controls people, much like binding something tightly. The left component suggests gathering or tightening, while the force radical on the right emphasizes that this is backed by the ruler's authority. Together, they express an order that must be obeyed because it comes with the full power of the imperial position behind it.

勅 9 strokes

Components

  • 束 meaning part left
  • 力 radical right

Easily confused with

These look alike but are unrelated in meaning — check the stroke that differs.

Reference

Strokes
9
Kangxi radical
19
Formation type
Compound ideographic (combined meanings)
Grade
Jōyō (secondary school)
Frequency rank
#2157 (newspapers)
Former JLPT
level 1
Unicode
U+052C5