裟
Buddhist surplice
Readings
On'yomi
- サ
- シャ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
裟 refers specifically to a Buddhist surplice, a type of outer robe or vestment worn by monks.
Most common words using 裟
- 袈裟けさ
kasaya; monk's stole
- 坊主憎けりゃ袈裟まで憎いぼうずにくけりゃけさまでにくい
if you dislike someone, you will end up hating everything he stands for; hate a priest, and you will hate his very vestments
- 結袈裟ゆいげさ
three-strand harness or sash decorated with pom-poms (worn by Shugendō practitioners)
- 袈裟固めけさがため
scarf hold (in judo)
- 袈裟懸けけさがけ
wearing a kasaya; wearing an article of clothing in the same manner as a kasaya (i.e. draped over one shoulder)
- 袈裟斬りけさぎり
slashing (someone) with a sword diagonally from the shoulder
- 輪袈裟わげさ
loop-shaped monk's stole
Study
Etymology
裟 combines 沙 (sand) on top and 衣 (clothing) on the bottom. It is a phono-semantic compound where 沙 likely contributes the sound and 衣 indicates a garment. The character was created specifically for the Buddhist term 袈裟 (kesa), a monk's robe.
Meaning mnemonic
A monk's robe (衣) the color of sand (沙) — imagine a Buddhist surplice dyed in earthy, sandy tones.
Reading mnemonic
For サ, picture a monk sitting in meditation on the sand (サ) wearing his surplice: sand -> サ.