敬具
けいぐ · keigu · JLPT N1 · noun
Sincerely (used at the end of letter)
✉️ 敬 = respect + 具 = complete: a respectful, complete sign-off to a letter
Read 敬 as respect and 具 as fully or completely. Together they close a letter with full respect, like writing respectfully yours at the bottom.
敬 — 苟 (gǒu, phonetic) + 攵 (tap/strike)
Originally depicted a person being urged or disciplined with a stick (攵), with 苟 providing the sound. The early sense was 'to warn' or 'to be on guard,' which extended to careful, attentive behavior. From there it shifted to 'respect' and 'reverence,' the modern meaning.