柔 is a 9-stroke kanji with radical 木 (tree). It reads じゅう or にゅう (on'yomi) and やわらか (kun'yomi). The character is built from 矛 (spear) above 木 (tree) — a spear bending into a tree: strength made supple. Align the center line of both components and let the lower sweeps of 木 open wide.

Readings of 柔

• On'yomi: じゅう — 柔道 (judo), 柔軟 (flexibility), 剛柔 (hardness and softness)
• On'yomi: にゅう — 柔和 (gentle, mild), 温柔 (warm and gentle)
• Kun'yomi: やわらか — 柔らかい (soft, tender); やわ (weak, flimsy); やわら

じゅう appears in contexts contrasting hardness and softness (剛柔); にゅう in compounds expressing calm temperament (柔和, 温柔).

Meanings of 柔

• Soft, supple — having elasticity rather than rigidity; 柔軟 (flexible), 柔軟体操 (stretching)
• Gentle, mild — calm in manner or words; 柔和 (mild-natured), 温柔 (warmly gentle)
• The principle of judo — yielding to force rather than resisting it; 柔道 (judo), 柔術 (jujitsu)

The shape of 矛 (something rigid) resting on 木 (something that bends) encodes the core idea: pliancy within strength.

How to Write 柔 — Structure and Stroke Order

柔 is a top-over-bottom character: 矛 above, 木 below. Keeping both components on a shared center line is what controls the feel of the character.

• Run the vertical of 矛 on the center line. Use the first downward stroke of 矛 as a spine; every stroke after it positions itself around this axis.
• Stack 矛 and 木 without shifting. Shift the center and the character looks crooked; hold it and the balance reads as supple composure.
• Open the sweeps of 木 wide. The left-sweep and right-sweep of 木 should reach outward to receive the weight of 矛 above and anchor the whole form.

Expression in Each Script

Kaisho (Regular Script)

Set each point and horizontal of 矛 evenly; keep the vertical stroke of 木 straight and extend both sweeps expressively. Clear starts, hooks, and endings give the character a composed, upright quality.

Gyosho (Semi-Cursive Script)

Carry the brush from 矛 into 木 with a connected flow. Allow the sweeps of 木 to curve slightly — the script style suits the character's meaning of softness.

Sosho (Cursive Script)

Abbreviate boldly while keeping the center line. A single supple axis through the whole form is the mark of skill: pliancy as both meaning and method.

Summary

柔 is a 9-stroke, 木-radical character meaning soft, gentle, and the yielding principle of judo. Align 矛 and 木 on one center line, then open the lower sweeps of 木 to receive: that balance is the character in motion.