a) 章 -> 古 -> 吐 -> 坪
章 SHOU - chapter, badge, mark
古 KO, furu(i) - old
吐 TOU, ha(ku) - spew, vomit, give vent to
坪 tsubo - unit of area
b) 要 -> 如 -> 吟 -> 念
要 YOU, i(ru) - essential(s) need
如 JO, NYO - equal, like, as, as if
吟 GIN - sing, chant, recite
念 NEN - thought, concern