鬘
wig, hair piece
Strokes21
Readings
On'yomi
- バン
- マン
Kun'yomi
- かつら
Nanori
- かずら
Meaning
鬘 centers on artificial hair used to cover the head: a wig or hair piece.
Most common words using 鬘
- 鬘かつらN1
wig; hairpiece; toupee
- 百日鬘ひゃくにちかずら
long-haired wig used in kabuki (used metaphorically to refer to a thick growth)
- 目鬘めかずら
simple paper mask
- 華鬘けまん
Buddhist decoration engraved with various motifs, often made from gilt copper (e.g. for adorning the inner shrine of a temple)
- 華鬘草けまんそう
bleeding heart; Dicentra spectabilis
Study
Etymology
鬘 combines 髟 (hair) with 曼, which likely contributes the sound and may relate to covering or adorning. The exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
The top 髟 represents long hair, and the bottom 曼 looks like a decorative cover. Picture a wig made of flowing hair draped over the head.
Reading mnemonic
For バン, imagine a wig styled like a bun: bun -> バン, and the hair piece is tied up neatly.