What is this Chinese character? (1 Viewer)

[ThomasC]

Gregg, that article looks like it was written as a joke, not for a publication.

C'mon, now...

 

[Ken Chui]

The tattoo story may be something of an urban legend. Then again, seeing as clients are entrusting their canvases to predominantly non-Asian inkers, a misplaced stroke here or there could affect its interpretation; it's a caveat that comes with the territory. All sales final.

 

[ChristopherDAC]

According to Rose-Innes, it is classified under Radical 162 "advance"; in Japanese it has On-yomi [Chinese-derived reading] KEN and kun-yomi [Japanese reading] ya(ru) or tsukawa(su) to give, send, or transmit, so it has much the same meaning and is used in the same type of compound words as Latin mittere. Compounds include [with character for "mouth"] a method; [with character "hand"] a man of ability, or great man [compare epithet "ring-giver" in BEOWULF]; [with character "thing, substance"] a present; [with character "wilfulness"] to leave work in disorder.

I know I see truly stupid Kanji mottoes all over hats, T-shirts, and so on; of course perhaps it is America's comeuppance for all those years of making fun of unintelligible English slogans on Asian-made goods?

 

[Gregg Shiu]

Thomas, whether or not it's real, I'm not too certain. However, I really wouldn't put it past people to say something so incredibly stupid in response. Also, here's the original page it was on.

http://www.soufoaklin.com/tattooartist.html

But like someone else suggested, it might just be an urban legend in that area.