The kanji 峠 とうげ primarily means a mountain pass or a summit, referring to the highest point along a road or path that crosses over a mountain. It signifies a transition point, often a challenging or arduous part of a journey.

・On-yomi (音読み): とう (tou) ・Kun-yomi (訓読み): とうげ (touge)

⚫︎峠を越える Translation: To overcome a difficult point; to get over a hurdle. ⚫︎峠の茶屋 Translation: A teahouse at a mountain pass. ⚫︎人生の峠 Translation: A turning point in life; the peak of one's life.

The kanji 峠 とうげ is a combination of two parts. The left side is 山 (mountain), and the right side is 上 (up, above, top). This combination visually represents a path going up and over a mountain. Originally, it was a simplified form of the character 垰 (also meaning mountain pass), and 峠とうげ became the more common form over time. The character is a kokuji (国字), meaning a kanji created in Japan.