北ほく堂どう

noun

northern pavilion; north-facing room

Refers to the northern building or room in a traditional Japanese house or estate. Often used in classical or literary contexts.

• 古ふるい屋や敷しきの北ほく堂どうは、夏なつでも涼すずしい。

  The northern pavilion of the old mansion is cool even in summer.

noun

mother

A classical, indirect way to refer to one's mother, derived from the traditional association of the northern room with the mistress of the house. Rare in modern Japanese.

• 漢かん詩しでは、北ほく堂どうは母ははを指さす雅が語ごとして使つかわれる。

  In Chinese poetry, 北堂 is used as an elegant term for mother.