Sounds enter through the ear. We can hear the sound

through our ears. The 耳(mimi) in the kanji 聞(kiku) is the outline

of an ear. The 門(mon) on the outside of 聞(kiku) is a gate. On both

sides are pillars. The 日(hi) parts are doors. Sounds enter through

the gate of the ear. 聞(kiku) means “to hear.”