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Kotomora

絣

splashed pattern (on cloth)

Strokes12

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ

Kun'yomi

  • かすり

Meaning

絣 centers on a textile pattern where threads are tie-dyed before weaving, creating a blurred, splashed effect on cloth. The meaning is specific to this resist-dyeing technique.

Most common words using 絣

  • 絣かすり

    splash pattern (e.g. on a kimono); dye pattern; kasuri

  • 白絣しろがすり

    white cloth or kimono with black or indigo splash patterns

  • 紺絣こんがすり

    dark blue cloth with white splash patterns

Explore all words using 絣 →

Study

Etymology

絣 combines 糸 (thread) with 并, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character refers to a specific textile technique, but the exact historical development of the right component is uncertain.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 糸 shows thread, and the right side 并 looks like two strands tied together. Imagine threads bound and dyed before weaving, creating the characteristic splashed pattern of 絣.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, picture a bolt of cloth with a splashed pattern being thrown over a hoe (ホウ) in a field. The hoe catches the fabric, and the sound 'hoe' cues ホウ.