Following in the footsteps of the two previous topics that I have asked, I have yet another question, this time regarding RtK 3 #2498 (梗). The keyword is "spiny" but most of the dictionaries give completely different meanings.

For example, Spahn & Hadamitzky gives "in general, block, close off" (entry under 4a7.1).

Along with 2 plant related compounds (桔梗, ききょう-Chinese bellflower, and 花梗, かこう- flower stalk, peduncle), most compounds with this kanji that I could find are related to medical infarction types. The compund that sound most likely to come up in a newspaper or something like that seems to me 梗塞　(こうそく, stoppage, monetary stringency, infarction).

What's striking is Heisig's detailed description of the keyword "spiny": "This character refers originally to a decidious, rough tree that grows on mountain plains. From this it gets the secondary sense of rugged or spiny".

So what gives? I'm a little confused as to whether I should use the keyword "spiny" or seek to substitute it with something consistent with dictionary entries.

Kanjigen definition 2: かたいとげ

I would think that if you're on #2498, you would have learned to not expect the keywords to be perfect representations of the characters' meanings. That's not what they're for.

Hi JimmySeal, thanks for the Kanjigen definition My Japanese is medium level so I mostly check English-Japanese dictionaries.

I agree with you that the keywords are not there to be perfect representations for the characters' meaning.

I have to say, over the years I benefitted immensely from the Heisig method both in terms of learning kanji and of creating curiosity in me about the Japanese language in general. The vast majority of Heisig's keywords are either spot on or are very good indications of a kanji's various possible meanings.

That's exactly why my curiosity is piqued when one keyword apparently has little relation to what seems (to me) to be the most quoted compunds. I see these as opportunities that can teach me something more about that particular kanji that's not apparent to a student of my level.

In the case of #2498, what I'm wondering is if 'spiny' would be good enough a keyword in terms of most-likely-to-come-up compounds.

[Katsuo]

Shiromichi Wrote:most-likely-to-come-up compounds

...are the following two, I believe:

心筋梗塞 (しんきんこうそく) heart attack
脳梗塞 (のうこうそく) cerebral infarction

"Blockage" is listed among meanings for 梗 in the Kanjigen, but "block up" has already been used as a keyword for no. 2214 塞. Perhaps "obstruction" or "infarction" (blood supply obstruction) might be practical choices for 梗.

Thanks a lot for the suggestion Katsuo!