鞞
sheath
Strokes17
Readings
On'yomi
- ヘイ
- ヒョウ
- ヒ
- バイ
Kun'yomi
- さや
Meaning
鞞 centers on a protective covering for a blade: a sheath or scabbard, typically made of leather.
Study
Etymology
鞞 combines 革 (leather) with 卑, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character originally referred to a leather sheath or scabbard.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 革 means leather, and the right side 卑 looks like a low, flat container. Imagine a flat leather pouch used as a sheath for a blade.
Reading mnemonic
For ヘイ, picture a sheath made of hay: hay -> ヘイ, and the leather sheath is stuffed with hay to protect the blade.