空
sora / kū
Sky, Emptiness
Considering 空 (Sky, Emptiness) as a kanji tattoo? Here's what it actually means to native Japanese speakers — and whether it's a safe choice.
Cultural Assessment
Most Japanese speakers will see 空 and immediately make a reading choice — sora (sky) or kū (emptiness) — based on context they don't have with a standalone tattoo. The gut reaction is curiosity: which meaning did you intend? The character carries both the tangible (blue sky, open air) and the abstract (void, Buddhist emptiness). ...
How Japanese people actually react
Related Words & Alternatives
Etymology & History
Unlock Full Assessment
Get the complete kanji tattoo assessment for 空 (Sky, Emptiness) — including how Japanese people actually react, related words, and etymology.