cut down

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 斬 has 11 strokes; 斬撃 is read ざんげき, and 斬新 is read ざんしん.
• Basic usage: 斬撃 denotes a slashing attack; 斬新 describes an idea or expression as novel and original.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• A slash and an original idea
  • 斬撃を避ける means dodging a slashing attack.
  • 斬新な図書館の設計案 is an original design proposal for a library. An idea using old cloth for lighting can also be 斬新, so the focus is the novelty of the idea rather than whether the material is new.