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Kotomora

羯

barbarian

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • カツ
  • ケツ

Kun'yomi

—

Meaning

羯 centers on the historical concept of a barbarian, specifically a non-Chinese ethnic group from the north or west. The meaning is narrow and refers to a particular ancient people rather than a general idea of wildness.

Most common words using 羯

  • 磨羯宮まかつきゅう

    Capricorn (10th zodiacal sign); the Goat

  • 羯けつ

    Jie (ancient Chinese ethnic group)

  • 羯磨かつま

    karma

  • 羯磨曼荼羅かつままんだら

    karma mandala (in Shingon); three-dimensional mandala with a sculpture of each deity

  • 羯鼓かっこ

    kakko; Japanese hourglass drum, played with sticks on both sides, traditionally used in gagaku

Explore all words using 羯 →

Study

Etymology

羯 combines 羊 (sheep/goat) with 曷, which likely contributes the sound. The character was used to name a historical ethnic group, possibly associated with pastoralism or animal husbandry.

Meaning mnemonic

A sheep 羊 beside the phonetic 曷: imagine a barbarian tribesman from the steppes, clad in sheepskin, representing the ancient Jie people.

Reading mnemonic

For カツ, picture a barbarian warrior eating a fried cutlet (カツ) made from sheep: cutlet -> カツ, tying the sound to the sheep component.