襼
'kimono' sleeve
Strokes24
Readings
On'yomi
- ゲイ
Kun'yomi
- そで
Meaning
襼 refers specifically to the sleeve of a kimono. It is a rare, specialized character with no broader conceptual center beyond this garment part.
Study
Etymology
襼 combines the clothing radical 衤 with the phonetic component 藝, which likely contributes the sound while the radical indicates a garment-related meaning. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The clothing radical 衤 on the left marks this as a garment word. The right side 藝 looks intricate, like the elaborate sleeve of a kimono.
Reading mnemonic
For ゲイ, picture a geisha (ゲイ) gracefully adjusting her kimono sleeve: geisha -> ゲイ, and the sleeve is part of her elegant attire.