also: ごばいし
noun
sumac gallnut; Chinese gall
A gall produced by aphids on sumac trees, used in traditional medicine and dyeing. The reading ふし is a gikun (customary reading) for 五倍子.
五倍子は、タンニンを多く含むため、古くから染料や薬用に用いられてきた。
Sumac gallnuts, being rich in tannins, have been used since ancient times for dyeing and medicinal purposes.
Less common variant of 附子.
Alternate kanji spelling; also used for the gallnut.
The word refers to the gallnut formed on Rhus javanica (sumac) trees. The kanji 五倍子 literally means 'five-fold seed', possibly referring to its appearance. The reading ふし is a gikun (customary reading) not derived from the individual kanji.