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Kotomora

鞋

straw sandals

Strokes15

Readings

On'yomi

  • アイ
  • カイ

Kun'yomi

  • わらじ
  • くつ

Meaning

鞋 centers on traditional straw sandals, a specific type of footwear. The meaning is narrow and concrete, referring to this particular woven footgear.

Most common words using 鞋

  • 草鞋わらじ

    straw sandals

  • 草鞋を脱ぐわらじをぬぐ

    to complete one's journey

  • 草鞋銭わらじせん

    small amount of money (to buy sandals or cover travel expenses); small farewell gift

Explore all words using 鞋 →

Study

Etymology

鞋 combines 革 (leather) with 圭, which likely contributes the sound. The character originally referred to leather shoes, but in Japanese it came to mean straw sandals specifically.

Meaning mnemonic

The left side 革 suggests leather or footwear, and the right side 圭 looks like stacked earth. Picture walking on earthy ground with woven straw sandals protecting your feet.

Reading mnemonic

For アイ, imagine an eye (アイ) on each straw sandal, watching where you step. The eye sound cues アイ while the sandals carry you.