A wooden bolt that slides horizontally to lock a door or window, often found in traditional Japanese architecture. The reading くるるぎ is a specialized term; compare the more common 猿 (さる) used for a similar latch.
See also: 猿
A sliding wooden bolt was attached to the door of the old storehouse.
Compound of 枢 (くるる, pivot) and 木 (き, wood), referring to a wooden pivot or sliding bolt. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.