缽
earthenware basin, alms bowl
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- ハチ
- ハツ
Kun'yomi
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Meaning
缽 centers on a container made of fired clay: an earthenware basin or bowl, especially one used for collecting alms.
Study
Etymology
缽 combines 缶 (earthenware jar) with 本 (origin, root), likely indicating a basic clay vessel. The exact historical development is uncertain, but the components suggest a container made from fired earth.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 缶 is a clay jar, and the right side 本 is a book. Picture a monk placing a book into a clay bowl as an offering: the bowl is an earthenware alms bowl.
Reading mnemonic
For ハチ, imagine a bee (ハチ) landing on the rim of the earthenware bowl, attracted by a sweet offering inside.