漆 — “Lacquer / Varnish / Seven” in Japanese

Master (高手)しつ, うるし

Radical ⽔ · radical 85 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Lacquer / Varnish / Seven” in Japanese is 漆, read shitsu, urushi (しつ, うるし). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 漆器 (lacquerware).

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What does 漆 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	漆
Meaning	Lacquer / Varnish / Seven
Readings	しつ, うるし
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	漆器 (lacquerware)

How to read 漆

漆 is read shitsu (しつ) or urushi (うるし) depending on the word.

Words with 漆

漆器

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Kanji read the same way as 漆

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28