large river (esp. the Yangtze)
Archaic term for a large river, especially the Yangtze River in China. Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.
In old Chinese poetry, 江 often refers to the Yangtze River.
Lake Biwa
Archaic name for Lake Biwa (琵琶湖). Found in classical literature and historical references.
See also: 琵琶湖
江 was used as an old name for Lake Biwa in waka poetry.
riverside village; village along a large river
riverbank (esp. the Yangtze River)
rivers and mountains; landscape
the public; the world; society · rivers and lakes · secluded place; hermitage
The kanji 江 originally means 'large river' in Chinese. In Japanese, it was borrowed to refer to large rivers, especially the Yangtze, and later used as an archaic name for Lake Biwa. The reading こう is the on'yomi.