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Kotomora

柾

straight grain, spindle tree, (kokuji)

JLPTN1StatusJinmeiyōStrokes9

Readings

On'yomi

—

Kun'yomi

  • まさ
  • まさめ
  • まさき

Meaning

柾 centers on straightness in wood: straight grain, and by extension the spindle tree, which is known for its straight-grained wood. It is a kokuji created in Japan.

Most common words using 柾

  • 柾まさき

    evergreen spindle (Euonymus japonicus); Japanese spindle tree

  • 柾目まさめ

    straight grain; quartersawn grain

Explore all words using 柾 →

Study

Etymology

柾 is a Japanese kokuji formed from 木 (tree) and 正 (correct, straight) to express the idea of straight-grained wood. The combination is semantically transparent.

Meaning mnemonic

A tree 木 that is correct and straight 正 produces straight grain. Picture a perfectly aligned log with grain lines running true.

Reading mnemonic

For まさ, imagine a master carpenter named Masa inspecting the straight grain of a spindle tree plank: Masa -> まさ, and he nods at the perfectly straight grain.