tsuki

Tsuki is a Japanese term written with the kanji 月 that has several related meanings in different contexts. The most common sense is the Moon. In everyday language and literature, tsuki refers to the Moon, and it appears in phrases such as tsukiakari (moonlight, 月明かり) and tsukimi (moon viewing, 月見). The Moon also features in poetry, folklore, and seasonal rituals in Japan.

In older or poetic usage, 月 can denote a month as well, but in modern Japanese the readings getsu and gatsu are typically used for “month” in dates and calendar terms. The kun’yomi tsuki is seldom employed on its own to mean a calendar month, though it may appear in historical texts or poetic expressions.

In martial arts, tsuki (突き) designates a thrust or punch. It is a basic technique across styles such as karate and related disciplines. Common forms include choku-tsuki (straight punch), oi-zuki (lunge punch), and gyaku-zuki (reverse punch). The term indicates a forward, focused strike delivered with the fist or forearm.

Etymology and readings: the kanji 月 means “moon” or “month.” Its kun reading is tsuki, while its on readings are getsu and gatsu, used in many compounds. The sense of Moon is dominant in contemporary usage, with the calendar sense largely confined to more formal or historical contexts.

See also: Moon in Japanese culture, tsukimi, tsukiakari, karate tsuki.