I think modifying or clarifying a few RTK keywords would make it easier to transition to Japanese reading. Even though English keywords are meant to fade over time, it's worthwhile starting with at least one actual meaning. So I thought I'd make a place to share alternative keyword suggestions.

I see 3 types: (1) keywords not intended to convey a real meaning at all; (2) keywords which don't quite convey the correct meaning. (3) ambiguous words where the shared stories are based on a meaning not intended by Heisig.

[edit: moved 呂 stuff to next post]

呂(#24)　Spine

It came up in a couple threads (here's one) whether or not 呂 actually means "spine". Here's a full explanation in case anyone's interested, but such detail isn't necessary.

呂 is a bit confusing. Wrightak and Magamo had a detailed discussion about it a few months back. Kanjidic and Rikai give "spine" as meaning. While 呂 might have some etymological link to spine (in the sense of things strung together in a row), afaik there isn't a Japanese word meaning “spine” containing 呂, nor will 呂 have the meaning “spine” within a word. Instead, 呂 is used: (1) for the phonetic ろ (as in お風呂 and 伊呂波); or (2) in the sense of things lined up in a row (as in old musical scales 律呂, etc.) 　

'Phonetic ろ' in the sense that Chinese characters were once used phonetically to write Japanese and 呂 = ろ. It doesn't mean that all kanji containing the primitive 呂will have the ろ reading. (The wikipedia page on 伊呂波 is kind of interesting: 伊呂波　→　いろは　→　色は).

One kanji dictionary shows the evolution of 呂as a pictograph of a spine and notes that it's used to describe things similarly strung together in a row. Some Japanese words for spine/vertebrae are: 背骨, 脊柱, 脊椎. None contain 呂.

I’m not sure why kanjidic gives せぼね(背骨) as a reading. My kanji dictionary lists spine as a meaning of the character because 脊膂 (せきりょ) meant spine and it could be written脊呂 (呂 synonymous with 膂). But neither 脊膂 nor 脊呂 are in any big J-J dictionary that I checked. I think it’s safe to ignore them.

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“Spine” is easy to use, but why not avoid confusion by also learning an actual usage: お風呂. For what it’s worth, here’s what I used:

呂　(24) Linked together (in a row). Also: Phonetic ‘ro’ (as in おふろ).

宮　(1035) Shinto Shrine/Imperial bloodline/Palace. Shrines and Palaces are a number of ‘buildings/roofs’ ‘linked together’. The Imperial bloodline is a direct line from the first Shinto deity, Amaterasu - a linkage of Shrines and Palaces.

[fyi Shrine: 神宮(じんぐう)　 宮(みや)　　
Imperial: 高松の宮(みや)　 Prince Takamatsu
Palace: ～宮(～きゅう)]

営　(1034) Occupation. a series of good ‘Schoolhouses’ ultimately links to a good Occupation. [Note: etymology thought to be abbreviated form of ‘buildings linked together’ (宮) + ‘torches’ (top part used to be flames). A work camp or military camp. 営 often means barracks/camp as well as occupation/management.]

侶　(2121) Partner. People linked together. [Note: 侶 is a synonym of 伴 and 伴侶 is companion.]

麿　(2894) Utamaro (Name: 歌麿)　 まろ　＝　麻(ま)＋呂(ろ)

I don’t recall if ‘linked together’ might conflict with other keywords. Maybe "sequential”?

... It does sorta mean "backbone" in hanzi, but in Japanese they state the meaning of it is "intonation" 呂律 or the second part of 風呂 (it just means "bath" or "bathtub").

I don't think knowing the meaning or reading of this kanji is important. Somehow I get the feeling that most Japanese don't know what it means either.

Yeah, that level of detail's not necessary...thank goodness. (In this case, I wanted to pass on the info I had to enerccio).

But for folks who do RTK first, it would be annoying to encounter words like 風呂、語呂、or 呂律　and have the brain respond with "wind spine", "word spine", or "spine rhythm". A tip to think of it more as a ろ sound or series of tones is useful I think.

Where the English keywords don't reflect a meaning, I think that should be made clear. It's up to the person whether they change the keyword or make a footnote.

Thora Wrote:But for folks who do RTK first, it would be annoying to encounter words like 風呂、語呂、or 呂律　and have the brain respond with "wind spine", "word spine", or "spine rhythm".

And it would be wrong in what way? If you think about it, articulation is sorta spine of rhyme

good point. we also have articulating joints...