Let’s find out which Japanese kanji is your favorite!
On this page, I will explain the meaning of Japanese Kanji found on our Calligraphy Kanji shirts. I bet you have seen many forms of Japanese Kanji (or Chinese Characters) in Martial Art Classes, Hollywood Movies, Kung Fu Movies, Asian Dramas, Video Games, Anime, Manga, and Comic Books. I hope you can find your favorite kanji words within this list.
A variety of items are available for each design, and they come in multiple color options.
Meanings List of Japanese Kanji T-shirt
Japanese Kanji Motivational Slogans
Do you want to motivate yourself? Wear these Kanji T-shirts and you’ll be motivated in no time!
必勝(hisshou, hissho) Certain Victory
Men’s T-shirt, red
The Japanese kanji “必勝” means “Certain Victory” and it’s a famous traditional slogan used all the time in media, movies, pop culture and comics. You can usually find people wearing it on a headband while training or studying for a special event. Work hard to reach your awesome victory moment!
必勝 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 必勝 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 必勝 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 必勝 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
努力(doryoku) Pushing Yourself, Big Effort
Men’s T-shirt, scarlet red
The Japanese kanji “努力” means “Pushing Yourself”. This Kanji symbol is open to interpretation, other translations include: “Hard working”, “Endeavour”, or “Great effort”. Sometimes we need to try hard to do even something we are not good at, don’t we? At that situation, we definitely need and do “Doryoku”.
Doryoku comes first in the set of one of the most famous Japanese slogans for success, “努力(Great Effort)”,”根性(Guts)” and “忍耐(Patience)”.
努力 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 努力 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 努力 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 努力 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
根性(konjou, konjo) Guts
Men’s T-shirt white
The Japanese kanji “努力” means “Guts”. Possibly, 根性 The Guts T-shirt is the most classic motivational T-shirt used in Japanese comic books and animations. Motivate yourself and others when they see the slogan: Guts!
Konjou comes second in the set of one of the most famous Japanese slogans for success, “努力(Great Effort)”,”根性(Guts)” and “忍耐(Patience)”.
根性 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 根性 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 根性 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 根性 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
忍耐(nintai) Patience
Men’s T-shirt, light blue
The Japanese kanji “忍耐” means “Patience”. This Kanji is open to interpretation, other translations include:”endurance”, or “perseverance”.
Nintai comes third in the set of one of the most famous Japanese slogans for success, “努力(Great Effort)”,”根性(Guts)” and “忍耐(Patience)”.
忍耐 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 忍耐 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 忍耐 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 忍耐 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
闘魂(toukon) Fighting Spirit
Triblend Tank, black
The Japanese kanji “闘魂” means “Fighting Spirit”. This is a popular slogan among Japanese martial artists. Fortify yourself mentally.
闘魂 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 闘魂 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 闘魂 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 闘魂 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
天下一(tenkaichi) No.1 Under Heaven
Women’s Unisex T-shirt, white
The Japanese kanji “天下一” is often translated “#1 under Heaven” in USA. But this Slogan is open to interpretation, in Japan a more common understanding would be “#1 in the world” or “The Best on Earth”.
If you read only the letter “天”, it is “sky and above” and “下” is “under”. That’s why, “天下” means “world (everywhere under the sky)”.
天下一 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 天下一 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 天下一 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 天下一 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
不屈(fukutsu) Never Give Up, Persistence
Men’s T-shirt, cyan
The kanji “不屈” translated it means, “Persistence” or “Never Give Up”. The first letter means “denial” and the second one means “surrender” here.
In Japan, we often use the phrase “不屈の精神(fukutsu-no-seishin: indomitable spirit)” when we talk about what we need to achieve the goal.
不屈 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 不屈 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 不屈 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 不屈 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
鍛錬(tanren) Training
Men’s Tank, white
The Japanese word “鍛錬(tanren)” means “Training” but it contains a little more special meanings. The left part of both kanji is “金” and the kanji that related to metal usually has that left part. The word “鍛錬” also means “Forging”.
So, we use the word “鍛錬” when we train ourselves hard or somebody else to improve their physical and mental skills just like a blacksmith forging the metal.
鍛錬 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 鍛錬 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 鍛錬 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 鍛錬 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
Japanese Kanji Motto
What’s your Motto? What do you think is important in life or what do you want to be like? Share that with the world!
愛(ai) Love
Women’s Fitted T-shirt, Fuchsia
The kanji “愛” means “Love”. This is one of the most famous kanji. “愛” includes any kind of love.
愛 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 愛 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 愛 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 愛 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
平和(heiwa) Peace
Men’s T-shirt, royal blue
The kanji “平和” means “Peace”. No war, no fight, no anxiety and be safe.
平和 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 平和 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 平和 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 平和 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
自由(jiyuu) Freedom
Kids Toddler T-Shirt, navy
The Japanese kanji 自由 “Freedom” represents not to allow restraints from others and to be able to express yourself as you would like.
自由 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 自由 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 自由 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 自由 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
禅(zen) Zen
Men’s T-shirt, white
禅 “Zen” is a mental training to reach the mindfulness. The basic idea of Zen is to search for the truth of who you are.
The kanji word “禅” is the short name of 禅宗 (zensyuu: Zen Sect). It’s a sect of Mahayana Buddhism, but it’s not exactly religious concept. It’s a practice.
禅 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 禅 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 禅 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 禅 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
侍(samurai) Samurai
Men’s Zip-Up Hoody, black
The kanji “侍” means Samurai. A High class warrior of Japan. Their motto is being strict yourself, brave and proud. The samurai system has been gone for long time but even today young people respect them and they are inspired by them. Be a Samurai!
侍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 侍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 侍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 侍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
忍(shinobi) Shinobi, Ninja
Men’s T-shirts, smoke
忍 “Shinobi” is what Ninjas are. Usually ninjas call themselves “Shinobi”. This character means holding back any kind of emotions and being stealthy.
Ninja is an assassin class warrior from Japan highly skilled in espionage and information gathering. If you are a Ninja then, you are “Shinobi”!
忍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 忍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 忍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 忍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
英雄(eiyuu) Hero
Men’s T-Shirt, heather grey
The kanji word “英雄” is usually translated into “Hero” in English. Japanese dictionary explains that “英雄” is “a wise and strong man who accomplishes something that ordinary people can’t do”.
英雄 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 英雄 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 英雄 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 英雄 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
正義(seigi) Justice
Men’s Zip-Up Hoody(back print), white
The Japanese kanji “正義” means “Justice”. In Japanese pop culture, they often call hero “正義の味方 (Seigi-no-Mikata: Hero of Justice)”.
正義 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 正義 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 正義 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 正義 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
武士道(bushido, bushidou) Bushido
Men’s T-shirt, white
武士道 “Bushido” is the code of moral principles which samurai were required or instructed to observe. Most commonly stressing some combination of frugality, loyalty, martial arts mastery, and honor until death.
武士道 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 武士道 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 武士道 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 武士道 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
Japanese Kanji for Fun
Do you want to advocate who you are on your shirt? Sometimes it’s funny, cool, ironic or cute. What’s your comment for the day?
天才(tensai) Genius
Men’s T-shirt, heather grey
The Japanese kanji “天才” means “Genius”!
Genius is the person who got 才能(sainou: Talent) from 天(ten: Sky and Above).
天才 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 天才 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 天才 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 天才 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
反抗期(hankouki) Rebellious Phase
Kid’s T-shirt, white
The Japanese kanji word “反抗期” means “Rebellious Phase”. This is a phase of usually associated with children’s development; This is also why it would be so funny if this word appears on an adult’s shirt.
反抗期 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 反抗期 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 反抗期 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 反抗期 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
最強(saikyou) Strongest
Men’s T-shirt, smoke
The Japanese kanji word “最強” means “Strongest”. It’s a very common words which is used often especially in comic books, video games, sports, martial arts, and so on.
最強 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 最強 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 最強 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 最強 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
無敵(muteki) Invincible
Men’s T-shirt, gold
The Japanese kanji word “無敵” means “Invincible”. The first kanji “無” contains the meaning “Nothing / None” and the second kanji “敵” means “Enemy”.
Something or someone, that has no enemy for any reason, is invincible. Nothing can beat them.
無敵 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 無敵 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 無敵 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 無敵 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
夜行性(yakousei) Nocturnal
Men’s T-shirt, navy
The Japanese kanji word “夜行性” means “Nocturnal”. It’s a zoological term, so it’s funny to refer to yourself that way.
The first kanji “夜 (ya)” means “Night”. The second kanji “行 (kou)” contains meanings like “Go”, “Do”, “Act” and so on. Then the last kanji “性” means “Behavior” in this case.
夜行性 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 夜行性 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 夜行性 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 夜行性 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
独身(dokushin) Single
Men’s T-shirt, olive
The Japanese kanji “独身” means “Single”! If you are single you can put this on and let the world know, “I’m Single”. Without telling anything, you’ll get attention especially from Japanese boys and girls.
独身 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 独身 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 独身 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 独身 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
新婚(shinkon) Just Married
Women’s V-neck, pink
The kanji “新婚” means “Just married” or “Newlywed”. In japan, we call just married couple “新婚さん(shinkon-san)”.
Did you recently get married? or Maybe you need a gift for a bachelor/bachelorette party? Look no further. Kansaichick has you covered with a great clothing option for the recently married or soon to be!
新婚 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 新婚 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 新婚 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 新婚 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
初来日(hatsu-rainichi) Visiting Japan for the First Time
Men’s T-shirt, asphalt
Planning your first trip to Japan? Make yourself stand out with your, “Visiting Japan for the first time” T-Shirt or clothing. Everyone you encounter will understand it’s your first time there! It’s a conversation starter and great help when you get lost in Japan.
初来日 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 初来日 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 初来日 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 初来日 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
社畜(shachiku) Company Slave
Men’s T-shirt, scarlet red
Company Slave “社畜 (shachiku)” is a modern ironic term used more recently in Japanese pop culture. It’s created as a rhyming word of 家畜(kachiku), which means “livestock”.
Wear it in Japan and everyone will know your tough situation, or know your complaining. Either way KansaiChick is not liable for anyone being able to read and understand your shirt and the resulting consequences. Enjoy!
社畜 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 社畜 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 社畜 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 社畜 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
Other Popular Japanese Kanji
There are more cool and meaningful Japanese kanji words.
天(ten) The Sky and Above
Men’s T-shirt, black
This Kanji “天” is open to interpretation, in Japan a more common understanding would be “The Sky and Above” or “The Opposite word of Earth “. The sun, the moon and stars are there. Rain comes from there. It’s somewhere we never be able to reach when we stand on the earth.
Some examples of idioms using this character: 天＋国(country)=天国(heaven), 天＋気(mood)=天気(weather)
天 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 天 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 天 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 天 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
龍(ryuu, ryu) Dragon
Men’s T-shirts, white
This kanji “龍” represents the traditional asian image of a dragon. A long snake like body with arms and legs.
In Japan, dragon is known for the god of water. You often find dragon fountains to purify hands at shrines. It’s sometimes used as a martial arts symbol.
龍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 龍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 龍 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 龍 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
妖怪(youkai) Yokai
Men’s T-shirts, smoke
In Japanese culture, people call fictitious monsters “Yokai”. They are eerie things that goes beyond human knowledge.
They can be a type of ghost or demon, but officially have there own category. It’s very hard to translate, so the word “Yokai” is adopted as a translation for it.
It’s a perfect choice for Halloween!
妖怪 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text) 妖怪 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text) 妖怪 Kanji T-shirts and more(Black Text with Stamp and English) 妖怪 Kanji T-shirts and more(White Text with Stamp and English)
