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Kotomora

塤

instrument

Strokes13

Readings

On'yomi

  • ケン
  • クン

Kun'yomi

  • つちぶえ
  • はち
  • わん

Meaning

塤 centers on a specific musical instrument: an ancient clay wind instrument, often translated as an ocarina-like vessel flute. The given meaning 'instrument' is a broad label for this particular object.

Study

Etymology

塤 combines 土 (earth, clay) with 員, which likely provides the sound. The character refers to a clay wind instrument, reflecting the material (earth) and the phonetic element.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 土 (earth) suggests clay, and the right side 員 looks like a round vessel with a mouth. Picture a clay ocarina made from earth, shaped like a round container with a blow hole.

Reading mnemonic

For ケン, imagine a musician named Ken playing a clay flute: Ken -> ケン, and the earthy instrument produces a haunting sound.