Japanese Symbol for

調和

chōwa

harmony · balance · concord

Readings

  • 調 ONチョウchō
  • 調 KUNしら(べる)shira-beru (to investigate, tune)
  • 和 ONワwa
  • 和 KUNやわ(らぐ)・なご(む)yawaragu / nagomu

Meaning

Harmony, balance, concord, accord. 調和 is the harmony of things working together in balance. 和 alone is one of Japan's most important cultural concepts — the spirit of harmony that underlies Japanese social values.

Example words

和

wa

harmony, peace, Japanese-style

協和

kyōwa

concord, harmony, concert

融和

yūwa

harmony, reconciliation

和合

wagō

harmony, concord, unity

協調

kyōchō

cooperation, conciliation, harmony

大和

Yamato

ancient name for Japan (lit. "great harmony")

和 (wa) is so central to Japanese identity that Japan's ancient name 大和 (Yamato) literally means "great harmony." The Seventeen-Article Constitution of Prince Shōtoku (604 AD) opens with 和をもって尊しとなす — "harmony is to be valued above all." This ideal of group harmony over individual assertion remains a defining feature of Japanese culture.

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