also: おぐるま
Inula japonica (plant)
Only with reading おぐるま
Archaic name for the plant Inula japonica. The reading おぐるま is restricted to this sense.
In old herbal books, a plant called 小車 (おぐるま) is recorded.
small cart; small carriage
Archaic term for a small cart or carriage. Compare with 牛車 (ぎっしゃ).
See also: 牛車
wheeled palanquin (castle-shaped box)
Only with reading こぐるま
A wheeled palanquin with a castle-shaped box, used historically. Reading is こぐるま.
See also: 輦車
In Heian-period picture scrolls, nobles riding in small carriages are depicted.
The wheeled palanquin used in festivals is also called 輦車.
Standard kanji spelling for both readings.
Archaic reading used only for the plant name.
Compound of 小 (small) and 車 (vehicle). The plant name likely derives from the shape of the flower resembling a small wheel.