勲 means “meritorious deed, honors, decoration”

くん · kun

Also: merit

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

いさお

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

クン

JLPT N1 · Taught in secondary school · 15 strokes

The story

Heavy (重) work done with strength (力), over a blazing fire (灬): deeds that burn bright. 勲 is merit the nation honors: a 勲章 is a decoration, the news lists the season's 叙勲 each spring and autumn, and sumo's 殊勲賞 rewards beating the top ranks.

Used in 勲章 (kunshou, medal/decoration), 叙勲 (jokun, conferment of decorations), and 殊勲 (shukun, distinguished service)

More from Crests & Honors

• 紋 crest
• 碑 monument
• 傑 outstanding
• 褒 praise
• 璽 imperial seal
• 標 mark
• 徴 sign
• 功 merit
• 称 name
• 誉 honor
• 威 dignity
• 旗 flag

Learn 勲 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.