桷
rafter
Strokes11
Readings
On'yomi
- カク
Kun'yomi
- たるき
Meaning
桷 refers specifically to a rafter, a structural beam used in traditional roof framing.
Most common words using 桷
- 桷ずみ
Toringo crabapple (Malus sieboldii)
Study
Etymology
桷 combines 木 (tree/wood) with 角 (horn/angle), likely indicating a wooden structural piece with an angled shape, such as a rafter.
Meaning mnemonic
A wooden (木) beam cut at an angle (角) to support the roof: that's a rafter.
Reading mnemonic
For カク, imagine a carpenter cutting a wooden rafter at a precise angle, making a sharp 'kak' sound with each saw stroke: kak -> カク.