Mnemonic
A pig wearing a crown frantically digs into the earth, heaping soil higher and higher until a massive hillock rises from the ground. The crowned pig stands atop its mound, oinking triumphantly like a king surveying his domain.
Additional thoughts
Picture a royal pig with a golden crown, obsessively digging and piling earth into an ancient-looking burial mound. The pig's regal appearance contrasts hilariously with the dirty work of building the hillock.Quick recall
A crowned pig piles earth into a grand hillock.Details
The keyword for 塚 is hillock. This kanji refers to a small mound or elevated heap of earth, often associated with ancient burial mounds or tumuli found throughout Japan. These hillocks were frequently used as grave sites in prehistoric and early historical periods, making the character closely tied to the concept of a burial mound or earthen tomb. In a broader sense, it can refer to any small, rounded rise of land.
- On'yomi
- ちょう
- Kun'yomi
- つか、-づか