also: ぎぼうし · ぎぼうしゅ
noun
ornamental railing top; bridge railing-post knob
Refers to the decorative onion-shaped finial on bridge railings, especially in traditional Japanese architecture.
日本橋の欄干には擬宝珠が付いている。
The railing of Nihonbashi has ornamental knobs.
noun
Welsh onion flower; leek flower
Refers to the flower of the Welsh onion or leek, which resembles the shape of the architectural ornament.
畑に擬宝珠が咲いている。
Welsh onion flowers are blooming in the field.
noun
hosta; plantain lily
Commonly written in kana as ギボウシ or ぎぼうし; a shade-tolerant perennial plant with broad leaves.
庭の隅にギボウシを植えた。
I planted hostas in a corner of the garden.
Rare reading ぎぼうしゅ; mostly historical or dialectal.
Common katakana spelling for the hosta plant; often written in kana.
Katakana spelling for the architectural ornament or onion flower; kanji is more common.
Kana spelling for the architectural ornament or onion flower; kanji is more common.
Hiragana spelling for the hosta plant; often written in kana.
The kanji 擬宝珠 literally means 'imitation jeweled onion', referring to the shape of the ornament. The plant name derives from the resemblance of its flower buds to the architectural finial.