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Kotomora

鴇

wild goose, madam of a brothel, crested ibis

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Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ

Kun'yomi

  • とき
  • のがん

Meaning

鴇 is a rare kanji with three distinct meanings that do not share a single clear conceptual center: a wild goose, a crested ibis, and a madam of a brothel. The bird meanings are primary, while the brothel sense is an obscure historical usage.

Most common words using 鴇

  • 鴇とき

    Japanese crested ibis (Nipponia nippon); Asian crested ibis

  • 鴇羽色ときはいろ

    pale gentle pink; ibis wing color

  • 鴇色ときいろ

    pink (wing colour of crested ibis) (color)

Explore all words using 鴇 →

Study

Etymology

鴇 combines 鳥 (bird) with a left component that is likely a phonetic element. The exact historical origin of the left component is uncertain, and the connection to the brothel meaning is obscure.

Meaning mnemonic

The bird radical 鳥 on the right tells you it's a bird. The left part looks like a stylized crest or a goose's neck, helping you remember the crested ibis and wild goose meanings.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, imagine a wild goose honking 'hou!' as it flies overhead: hou -> ホウ.