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Kotomora

笳

reed flute

Strokes11

Readings

On'yomi

  • カ

Kun'yomi

  • あしぶえ

Meaning

笳 refers to a reed flute, a wind instrument made from a reed or bamboo.

Study

Etymology

笳 combines 竹 (bamboo) with 加, which likely contributes the sound. The character refers to a bamboo reed flute.

Meaning mnemonic

The top 竹 is bamboo, and the bottom 加 looks like a mouth 口 blowing air with force 力. Picture a bamboo reed flute being played with added breath.

Reading mnemonic

For カ, imagine a car horn that sounds like a reed flute: car -> カ, and the bamboo flute honks like a car.