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Kotomora

髻

samurai topknot

Strokes16

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケイ
  • キツ

Kun'yomi

  • たぶさ
  • みずら
  • もとどり

Meaning

髻 centers on a traditional hairstyle where hair is gathered and tied into a topknot, specifically the samurai topknot.

Most common words using 髻

  • 肉髻にくけい

    ushnisha (protrusion on the top of a buddha's head)

  • 髻もとどり

    place where hair is gathered together atop the head; hair tied (or pinned) together in this position

  • 髻華うず

    flower or branch fastened in the hair

  • 髻鬟けいかん

    bun (hair); topknot

  • 鴉髻あけい

    jet-black hair

Explore all words using 髻 →

Study

Etymology

髻 combines 髟 (hair) with 吉, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to a topknot or bound hair style.

Meaning mnemonic

The top part 髟 represents long hair, and the bottom part 吉 looks like a knot tied neatly. Picture a samurai gathering his long hair and tying it into a topknot on top of his head.

Reading mnemonic

For ケイ, imagine a samurai named Kay tying his topknot: Kay -> ケイ, and his hair is styled into a 髻.