昔 — once upon a time, antiquity, old times
Learn the correct stroke order for 昔 (once upon a time), a 8-stroke kanji.
Stroke Order
Step-by-Step Diagram
Try Writing It
Practice writing each stroke in the correct order and direction. Start from the green dot.
Draw stroke 1 of 8 — start from the green dot
Common Words
Usage & Examples
Usage Notes
The kanji 昔 (once upon a time) is taught in grade 3 of Japanese elementary school and appears at JLPT N3 level. It has 8 strokes with radical 日.
In newspaper frequency rankings, 昔 is #1197, making it a moderately common kanji.
Example Words in Context
Practice Sheet
Trace then write on your own. Print this row as a PDF practice sheet.
Related Kanji
Same radical (日)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many strokes does 昔 have?
The kanji 昔 (once upon a time) has 8 strokes. Watch the animation above to see the correct order.
What is the correct stroke order for 昔?
昔 follows the standard Japanese stroke order as taught in schools. Use the step-by-step diagram or the "Try Writing" tool above to practice each stroke in sequence.
What does 昔 mean?
昔 means: once upon a time, antiquity, old times. On'yomi readings: セキ, シャク. Kun'yomi readings: むかし.
What JLPT level is 昔?
昔 is a JLPT N3 kanji. This is an intermediate kanji.