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Kotomora

榧

Japanese nutmeg, plum-yew

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Readings

On'yomi

  • ヒ

Kun'yomi

  • かや

Meaning

榧 refers to a specific evergreen tree: the Japanese nutmeg or plum-yew, valued for its wood and seeds.

Most common words using 榧

  • 榧かや

    kaya (Torreya nucifera); Japanese nutmeg tree

  • 榧味噌かやみそ

    dish of white miso mixed with roasted Japanese nutmeg powder, sugar and sesame seeds, etc.

  • 榧蘭かやらん

    Thrixspermum japonicum (species of orchid)

  • 犬榧いぬがや

    Japanese plum-yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia); Harrington's cephalotaxus; cowtail pine

Explore all words using 榧 →

Study

Etymology

榧 combines 木 (tree) with 匪, which likely contributes the sound ヒ. The character was created to name the Japanese nutmeg tree.

Meaning mnemonic

A tree 木 with the right side 匪 (which looks like a box 匚 filled with wings 非) — imagine a tree whose seeds look like little winged boxes: the Japanese nutmeg.

Reading mnemonic

For ヒ, picture a tree that makes you say 'hee!' in surprise when you see its unusual winged seeds: hee -> ヒ.