The ito element: unravelling the thread in kanji

Abstract: This paper is the first exhaustive investigation of a single kanji component: the ito element. Although, this element generally refers to thread or textile, the study examined this relationship and found a strong relationship to silk, cocoons, and craft—particularly weaving. A surprising find was the connection to dyeing/colour, which might not be obvious to the average student of Japanese. Moreover, the ito element was investigated to reveal further secondary meanings. What emerged were the subcategories time and tangle/unravel, with the associated sense emotional entanglement. The findings of the study hope to inspire future research in the field of kanji components; creating new connections, links, ties and bonds.