Mnemonic
A quill so big it can only be an arrow. Imagine plucking a massive feather-quill from a giant eagle, sharpening its tip to a lethal point, and nocking it onto a bowstring. When released, this enormous quill-arrow flies straight and true, piercing its target dead center.
Additional thoughts
A quill is already feathered like the fletching on an arrow. Scaling it up to something big transforms it from a writing tool into a weapon. The visual of a giant quill doubling as an arrow is intuitive.Quick recall
A quill grown big enough becomes an arrow on a bowstring.Details
The keyword for 矢 is arrow. This kanji depicts the shape of an arrow, representing the projectile shot from a bow. In addition to its literal meaning, it can also carry connotations of something straight, swift, or direct, much like the flight path of an arrow. It is also used in certain expressions to convey a sense of determination or an oath, as arrows once symbolized pledges of truth.
- On'yomi
- し
- Kun'yomi
- や