Wa (Japanese)

Wa (和) is one of those few characters in the Japanese language (derived from Chinese) which are so commonly used as word components that they have become cultural concepts of their own. "Wa" originally meant harmony and balance but also commonly refers to Japan itself or something Japanese (such as "washoku" (和食) which means a Japanese-style meal).

In its original meaning, it was a guiding concept in Japanese philosophy and culture with dozens of subtle different associated meanings. In meaning "Japanese" it has, through the history of the 20th century, been a highly emotional and/or political concept.