Tō-on

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Scholars divide tō-on into two groups: those that are based on Zen of the middle ages, and those based on the Obaku school of Buddhism of the middle ages. The latter are the readings sometimes referred to as "sō-on".

Tō-on readings are not systematic, as they were introduced piecemeal from China, often along with very specialized terminology.

Examples of words and characters using tō-on readings include: Nihongo|chair|椅子|isu, Nihongo|futon|蒲団, Nihongo|paper lantern|行灯|andon, Nihongo|Ming|明|min and Nihongo|Qing|清|shin.