aborted fetus; miscarried fetus; stillborn fetus
Only with reading みずこ / みずご
Refers to a fetus that was aborted, miscarried, or stillborn. Often used in the context of 水子地蔵 (Mizuko Jizō), a Buddhist deity for the protection of such souls.
I prayed to the Mizuko Jizō.
Dialectal use in the Chūbu region for a newborn baby. Not standard Japanese; in standard Japanese, 新生児 or 赤ちゃん is used.
She performs memorial services for her miscarried child.
Around here, a newborn baby is sometimes called 'mizuko'.
memorial service for a miscarried or stillborn child
Ksitigarbha statue for miscarried or aborted fetuses
Standard kanji spelling for the primary sense of aborted, miscarried, or stillborn fetus.
Rarely used kanji form.
Rarely used kanji form; Also has a rare reading ちし.
The kanji 水 (water) and 子 (child) combine to mean 'water child', likely referring to the fluid-filled environment of the womb or the idea of a soul returning to water. The exact origin is uncertain.