Sumire kanji

In Japanese, 菫 names the violet flower and is read sumire.

An early Japanese spelling of the flower name, 須美礼, appears in the poetry anthology 万葉集 in the late 8th century. The Japanese dictionary 和名類聚抄, compiled in 931–938, lists 菫菜 beside 須美禮, another spelling of sumire.

Japanese references also use sumire for violet-purple, a color in traditional layered robes, and the violet motif in a family crest. In ordinary writing, すみれ or スミレ makes the reading clear.

Why does 菫 mean different things in Chinese and Japanese?

The same character has different plant senses in Japanese and Chinese.

Japanese dictionaries use 菫 for the violet and also list aconite, another plant. A Taiwanese dictionary records an older Chinese sense meaning celery. Read the language and surrounding words; the character alone does not settle which plant is meant.

The Japanese compound 菫菜 names a violet, while Chinese references list 菫菜 under a different plant entry.

Can I use 菫 for sumire or a name?

Yes, in Japanese when the reading is clear.

As a Japanese given name, 菫 can be read Sumire and keeps the violet association. Chinese sources use the character for other plants, so do not assume the Japanese reading there. If the name must be read correctly, write すみれ alongside it.