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Kotomora

阼

steps leading to the eastern door or throne

Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • ソ
  • サク

Kun'yomi

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Meaning

阼 refers to the steps on the eastern side of a hall or throne, used in ancient ceremonies. Its meaning is specific to this architectural feature.

Study

Etymology

阼 combines the mound radical ⻖ (阜, suggesting a raised structure) with 乍, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally denoted the eastern steps of a ceremonial hall.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side ⻖ looks like a mound or raised platform, and the right side 乍 resembles a person stepping up. Together they form the eastern steps leading to a throne.

Reading mnemonic

For ソ, imagine a person sewing (ソー) a red carpet on the eastern steps: sew -> ソ, and the steps are being prepared for a ceremony.